Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
108VZ57
SPECIFICATION
The cleaning of drainage ditches alongside roadways
and highways is generally undertaken by using direct man
power of several men employing shovels and rakes to collect
debris in spaced piles. These are later shoveled into a
dirt truck, which is slowly driven by the piles of debris.
Also sometimes, in addition, backhoes and road graders
are used. Considerable man power is used and the cost
varies from $1600 to $2000 per mile. Consequently, the
overall cleanup is not undertaken too often. Between
cleanings, sufficient debris may collect causing blockage
of the drainage ditch and this blockage is sometimes a
contributing cause to a wash-out along a road often
destroying significant portions of the road.
Although machinery has been designed to create ditches,
such as illustrated and described in U.S. Patent No.
; 1,183,706 issued in 1916 to D. B. and M. C. Williams, and
to create trench excavations, such as illustrated and
described in U.S. Patent No. 3,645,020, issued in 1972 to
D. Beslin and B. Beherano, and to plow in a rotary motion,
such as illustrated and described in U.S; Patent No.
2,533,793 issued in 1950 to H. W. Hamlett, and to sweep
streets, as illustrated and described in U.S. Patent No.
1,363,502, issued to Steven Duich in 1920; and to dig and
to clean ditches as set forth by E. Heuman in his Patent
No. 1,721,392 of 1929, and by W. Baker, in his Patent No.
3,309,802 of 1967; machinery has not-been provided to
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108V~257
automatically clean drainage ditches already made and in use, which are not
to be basically altered except to be cleaned and the debris removed is fully
controlled to be deposited preferably in the dirt collecting chamber of a
dirt truck, on which the ditch-cleaning machine is preferably mounted, and
such cleaning occurs regardless of the variable spacing of the ditch away
from the side of the road on which the truck must remain.
The cleaning of drainage ditches alongside roadways and highways
without substantially changing their original contour is now undertaken by
operating what is to become known, in a short description, as a ditch-cleaner.
According to the present invention there is provided a ditch-clean-
ing mechanism for mounting on a vehicle to remove, debris from existing
roadside ditches, comprising: a base adapted to be fixedly mounted on a
vehicle extending transversely of the vehicle; a slide frame structure
slidably and controllably positioned on the base, for movement transversely
of the vehicle; a cleaning conveyor pivotally mounted at one of its ends on
the slide frame structure for movement from an upright position for legal
width highway travel to a selectable, variable downwardly extended position
of its other end to approach and match the contour of a roadside ditch edge;
an auger rotatably mounted on said other end of the c~eaning conveyor and
driven with the conveyor; a bucket conveyor mounted on said slide frame
structure, and positioned during ditch-cleaning operations to receive and to
further raise the debris being raised by the cleaning conveyor, following
the loosening of the debris upon the rotation of the auger along a bottom of
a roadside ditch; a debris collecting chamber on said vehicle, and an essen-
tially longitudinal belt conveyor mounted on said slide frame structure
operable during ditch-cleaning operations to receive the debris from the
bucket conveyor and thereafter discharge the debris into said debris collect-
ing chamber.
In one embodiment, the cleaning mechanism is installed on a self-
dumping dirt truck with a driver's cab ahead of it, and in another embodiment
~,,
3~080;~57
with a driver's cab behind it. The truck has many standard components, on
which an assembly of the ditch-cleaner components is mountedJ powered, and
operated. The controls of the truck itself and the controls of the ditch-
cleaning assembly are located closely nearby; so the truck driver will also
operate the ditch-cleaning assembly while driving the truck as the debris
is removed from the ditch and placed in the truck.
Moreover, the essentially automatic ditch-cleaner components, in
another embodiment, are mounted on a tractor, in an additional embodiment
at the rear of a caterpillar vehicle, and in still another embodiment on a
trailer, having its auxiliary power unit and connectable to a pickup truck.
In regard to these embodiments, they are arranged so a dirt truck may be
driven up closely and filled with the debris coming from the ditch. As soon
as that dirt truck is filled, another is driven up for loading.
In the arrangement and operation of all embodiments, the purpose
is to clean ditches thoroughly at a substantially lower cost as the truck
mounted ditch-cleaner, per se, cleans the debris from the ditches, completely
controlling the debris. Keeping it off the road shoulders, and the road
itself, as the debris is controllably redeposited in the dirt-collecting
chamber of the truck or at a designated location, well clear of the ditch,
road sh~der and road. As a result, ditches may be cleaned more often avoid-
ing the dam-up of debris and the unwanted costly wash-out of a road section.
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments
of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dirt dump truck with the cab
at the front and the automated ditch-cleaner mounted on the truck frame
behind the cab and forward of the dirt-collecting box or chamber, indicating
the positioning of the ditch-cleaner when a ditch is being cleaned;
Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, however, the
ditch cleaner is moved to its non-use position for highway travel to a ditch-
cleaning job area;
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,
1080~57
Figure 3 is a perspective view of another dirt dump truck with
the automated ditch-cleaner mounted on the truck frame which is extended
beyond the hood of the truck engine, the cab therefore being behind the
ditch-cleaner; and the motion arrows indicate the operation of the ditch-
cleaner in removing debris from a road-side ditch and conveying it to the
box or debris-collecting chamber of the truck;
Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of parts of one embodi-
ment of a ditch-cleaner further indicating how the loosened debris is
handled in the cleaner conveyor commencing its upward travel, and also show-
ing the bucket conveyor raising the debris, the motion arrows showing the
conveyor movements, the raising of the cleaner conveyor, and the translation
or lateral movement of the ditch
.~
1080ZS'7
cleaner's slide along its base, in turn secured to the
frame of a vehicIe, to move the cleaning conveyor away
from and back to a vehicle frame, to reach the centerlines
of ditches located at different distances from road edges;
Figure 5 is a side view, somewhat schematically
showing how some portions of the ditch-cleaner are mounted
on the frame of a trailer vehicle which is equipped to be
pulled by a pickup truck and which loads dirt trucks as
they travel alongside or nearby the trailer;
Figure 6 is a side view somewhat schematically showing
how some portions of the ditch-cleaner are mounted on the
rear portions of a frame of a caterpillar type vehicle when,
for example, irrigation ditches are being cleaned,
Figures 7, 8 and 9 show schematically in front views,
; 15 the appearance of the front cab truck and ditch-cleaner,
with figure 7 illustrating the cleaning of a nearby ditch,
figure 8, illustrating the cleaning of a ditch that is
farther from the edge of the road, and figure 9, illustrat-
ing the ditch-cleaner stored for regular speed highway
~ 20 travel;
Figures 10, 11 and 12, are partial views of the
cleaner-conveyor's continuous movable chain showing
respective embodiments of the paddles, f.igure 10 illustrat-
ing a steel paddle,-figure 11 illustrating a part steel and
part resilient, rubber or rubber-like paddle; and figure
12, illustrating a cleaning brush used in lieu of a paddle,
but serving a like conveying-cleaning function, where
1080'~57
concrete or other hard surface ditches are to be cleaned
Figure 13 is a somewhat schematic left side view or
the auger side view of the preferred embodiment of the
ditch-cleaner, and portions of a vehicle, indicating
the mounting of its base to the frame of the vehicle
and the positioning of the ditch-cleaner with respect to
the box or debris collecting chamber of the vehicle;
Figure 14 is a somewhat schematic front view of the
- preferred embodiment of the ditch-cleaner with portions
removed, with motion arrows, for example, to indicate the
direction of motion of the auger, cleaner-conveyor, and
bucket conveyor, and showing how the ditch-cleaner is
secured to the frame of the vehicle;
Figure 15 is a somewhat schematic right side view, or
the opposite auger side view, of the preferred embodiment
of the ditch-cleaner, and portions of a vehicle, indicating
the mounting of its base to the vehicle frame and its
position with respect to the box or debris-collecting
chamber of the vehicle;
Figure 16 is a somewhat schematic rear view of the
preferred embodiment of the ditch-cleaner, with motion
arrows, for example, to indicate the direction of motion of
the auger, the pivoting of the cleaner-conveyor, and the
transverse positioning of the slide relative to the base.
Figure 17 is a rear view of the base of the ditch-
cleaner bolted to the vehicle frame shown in section;
--6--
108~)2S7
Figure 18 is a rear view of the slide before its
mounting on the base of the ditch~cleaner;
. Figure 19 is a top view of the slide before its
mounting on the base of the ditch-cleaner;
Figure 20 is a side view, partially in section of
; the subassembly of the slide on the base of the ditch-
cleaner, with the base bolted to a vehicle frame, shown
in part;
: Figures 21 and 22 are somewhat schematic exploded views,
respectively, of the auger end or intake end of the cleaner-
conveyor, or digging conveyor, or digging arm, and the end
opposite the auger end or discharge end of this same
conveyor, to illustrate how this conveyor is made, assembled,
: and mounted on the slide of the ditch-cleaner;
Figures 23 and 24 are somewhat schematic views, respec-
tively, of the hydraulic system controls operated by the
''
person running the ditch-cleaner from his control position
~ . above, and of the hydraulic system components located
.~ below and secured directly and indirectly to the frame of
the vehicle.
Figure 25 is a hydraulic circuit diagram for
controlling, powering and actuating the ditch-cleaner;
Figure 26 is a partial elevational view and Figure 27
is a partial top view, both views indicating how an
: 25 operational and/or warning light is continually switched
on and off by the rotation of a can which deflects the
1080257
actuating arm of a light switch.
As illustrated in flgures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, the
ditch-cleaner 30, as an assembly of components to be
powered, and then upon movement of a vehicle, to become
automated machinery to clean debris from roadside ditches,
is mountable on different types of vehicles. When the
ditch-cleaner 30, is mounted on front cab truck 32, behind
the cab 34 as shown in figures 1 and 2, or mounted at the
front 36 of a hood 38 of the truck 40, illustrated in figure
3, then the debris loosened and withdrawn from the roadside
ditches is collected in the respective collecting chambers
42, or box 42, of these trucks 32, 40 and transported to
disposal areas. When the ditch-cleaner 30 is mounted on
the trailer 44, illustrated in figure 5, or the caterpillar
vehicle 46, shown in fisure 6, the debris removed from the
ditch, either a roadside ditch or an irrigation ditch, will
be redeposited adjacent to the ditch or deposited in another
vehicle or trailer pulled alongside having a collecting
chamber or box 42.
Whether the ditch-cleaner 30, is mounted on the
vehicles shown in figures 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, or other
vehicles, the overall function is essentially the same, as
shown in figures 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9. As schematically
illustrated in figures 7, 8 and 9, the ditch-cleaner 30,
mounted on a front cab truck 32, is respectively at low
speed cleaning a ditch nearer to the roadside, at low
speed cleaning a ditch farther from the roadside, and
108V~57
compactly stored away for higher speed travel to or from
a ditch cleaning location or area.
As shown in figures 3 and 4, with motion arrows
indicating translation motions to reach ditches farther
S away, pivoting motions to move down into deeper ditches
and retract back upwardly, auger rotation motions, outboard,
central, and longitudinal conveyor motions, the ditch-
cleaner 30, efféctively and automatically, loosens the
debris and raises it upwardly for rehandling, preferably
depositing the debris in a collection chamber 42, for
transport to a disposal area.
Most of the roadside and irrigation ditches to be
cleaned will essentially be previously and initially formed
from earth without further improvements, and later when
these ditches are cleaned by the ditch-cleaner 30, an all
metal paddle 48 will be used to collect the debris
loosened by the auger 90 and direct it within the cleaner
conveyor 64. It will be welded to the endless chain 50
of an outward conveyor, as illustrated in figure 10. How-
ever, 'there will be times when ~he previously and initially
formed ditch will have additional improvements such as
concEete and/or metal drains, concrete and/or asphalt
bottom andjor sidewall liners. When such improved ditches
are to be cleaned, the combined metal 52 and resilient
rubber or rubber like material 54 blade 56, shown in figure
11, or the brush 58, shown in figure 12, will be used at
1080257
spaced locations along the endless chain 50 of a conveyor.
In figures 13 through 24, a preferred embodiment of a
- full ditch-cleaner assembly 30 is illustrated, which is
particularly suited for installatio~ on a front cab
truck 32 and secured to the truck frame 60 behind the cab
34. Figures 13 through 16, show the full assembly of the
ditch-cleaner 30, respectively, viewed from the left side,
front, right side, and rear. Figuxes 17 through 20,
illustrate in more detail how the ditch-cleaner 30 is
secured to the frame 60 o~ truc~ 32 ~y using bolt and
fiUf: asseDr;blles 6~, and where the ~rari~s s~5?~pc,rts and
act~ato~s a~e sec~ed wlthi~ t~e ditch-cleaner assem~ly 30.
~i5 same frame m~unting ~ mp~ t~ ~
utilized in mounting the dit~h-~le~e~ hê ~nt of
the truck 40, lllustrated in ~igure 40 when its frame 72
is extended forwardly to receive the ditch-cleaner 30.
Also~ when necessary, an additional swiveling and pivoting
guiding support 74 is secured to the frame 72 behind the
cab 76 and ahead o~ the collecting chamber or box 42 to
support the extended longitudinal or belt conveyor 78.
Figures 21 and 22, in exploded views, indicate pre-
ferred arrangements of the mounting and rotational parts
: of one conveyor, referred to as the outward, or cleaner,
conveyor 64. The other conveyors are like conventional
bucket conveyors and belt conveyors, and they are called
the central, lifting, elevation, or bucket Conveyor 66,
and the longitudinal, distribution, or belt conveyor 68.
--10--
108V~57
In figures 23, 24 a preferred hydraulic control
and hydraulic power distribution system is schematically
illustrated based on taking the rotative power of a driven
power take off shaft 82 of an engine, either the main
engine 84 of a truck 32, 40 or caterpillar vehicle 46, or
an auxiliary engine 86 of a trailer 44. The hydraulic cab
controls are shown in figure 23, and the balance of the
hydraulic control and hydraulic distribution Gomponents
are illustrated in figure 24.
As illustrated, particularly, in figures 13, 14, 16,
21 and 22, the ditch-cleaning auger 90 and the outward
conveyor 64, also referred to as the cleaner conveyor 64,
are moved and powered together as a subassembly 92, using
hydraulic motor 94 and its power drive chain 96 and drive
sprocket98 and driven sprocket lOO,shaft 116 and sprocket
102. As particularly shown in figures 10 and 14, metal
paddles 48 are welded at spaced intervals along a continuous,
endless digging chain 50 driven around the driven clean-
ing chain sprockets 102. As illustrated in figures 3 and
4, as this outward, or cleaner conveyor 64 operates, the
auger 90 rotates to loosen the debris and the paddles 48
push and guide the debris upwardly through the housing 104
of the conveyor 64.
To compensate for how far the metal paddles 48 may be
directly effective in scraping the ground surfaces of the
ditch and adjacent road shoulder, a ditch shoe 106 is
10802S7
translated in and out along the bottom of the housing 104
by a hydraulic actuator 108. At all times, the purpose
is to gather the debris up as soon as possible from the
ditch and nearby road bank so it will ~e controllably
conveyed away by the outward or cleaning conveyor 64
thereby eliminating any need for cleaning up unnecessarily
the road bank or the road itself. Also attached to this
ditch shoe 106 is a vertical shield 110 to combine with
the ditch shoe in preventing a berm and to deflect rocks
that might otherwise go on to damage the ditch cleaner 30
and/or hurt the operator.
To pivotally move the cleaning conveyor 64 down into
a ditch or raise it up for higher speed highway travel,
at the legal eight foot overall width as illustrated in
figures 16 and 22, it is pivotally attached to a slide frame
member 114 using a mounting shaft 116, and it is moved using
a pivoting arcuate lift beam subassembly 120 which in turn
is powered by the lift hydraulic cylinder 122. The lift
beam subassembly 120 is pivotally secured by anchor 214,
between the slide frame 114 and the housing 104 of the
outward, cleaner, conveyor 64. The lift hydraulic cylinder
122 is secured between the slide frame 114 and the arcuate
lift beam subassembly 120, as illustrated in figure 16.
To insure, during the cleaning conveyor pivotal move-
ments, while ditch cleaning operations are underway, that
debris will not be unwantedly dropped down on the road or
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.
.
1080ZS~
shoulder, a spring loaded pivotal door 124 secured to
the bucket, lifting, or elevator conveyor 66 continuously
bears against the bottom of the housing 104 of the cleaning
conveyor 64. Also above, a hinged cover 126, continuously
bears against the top of the housing 104 of the cleaning
conveyor 64 to also insure the debris will be pushed into
the path of the bucket, lifting or elevator conveyor 66 and
not elsewhere where it is not wanted. In addition along the
bottom of the front side of the housing 104 is another
movable member 112 to be opened up when dislodging any
rock that may be jammed.
As shown in figure 16, the bucket conveyor, also
referred to as a lifting, or elevation, conveyor 66, has
its housing 130 secured to an upstanding frame 132 with
offset leg 133, which in turn is removably secured by
bolting assemblies 131, to the slide frame 114 by using re-
ceiving structures 220 which are welded to the slide frame
114. A hydraulic motor 134 with its roller chain drive 136
.and driving sprocket 138, powers the driven sprocket 140
inside the bucket conveyor 66, to thereby move the endless
double pitch chain 142, its secured, spaced, plastic buckets
144, and the chain driven sprocket 146. These buckets 144
are moved through the debris being pushed and deposited
by the cleaning conveyor paddles 48, to pick up a load of
debris for its elevation and subsequent deposit on the
longitudinal or belt conveyor 68.
-13-
~O~UV'~ 57
The housing 130 of the bucket conveyor 66 is equipped
with a lower clean out door 150 and a top inspection and
: access door 152. Also the housing 130 pivotally supports
lower pivotal spring loaded door 124, which bears against
the housing 104 of the digging conveyor 64, and it
pivotally supports the hinged cover 126, which bears down
on the top shroud or cover of the housing 104 of the clean-
ing conveyor 64.
As shown in figures 13 through 16, when the debris that
is elevated in the buckets 144 of the bucket conveyor 66,
is to be guided further for deposit, such as in the debris
collecting chamber 42 or box 42 of a truck 32, 40, a belt
conveyor 68, also referred to as longitudinal conveyor 68,
is operated. It is pivotally supported on shaft 154, in
turn supported at one of its ends using a bearing socket
155 secured on an upstanding frame 156, which in turn is
secured to the slide frame 114 and at its other end using
a bearing socket 155 and a bracket 153 secured to the frame
132. A hydraulic motor 160 with its roller chain drive 162
and driving sprocket 16~, powers the power roller 166 of
the belt conveyor 68, and the movement of the belt 168
continues around its non power roller 170.
The power roller end or discharging end of this belt
conveyor 68 is equipped with a protective cam shoe 174 to
avoid damage by any contact made between this conveyor 68
and the box 42 of the truck 32. The angular or pivotal
-14-
1080~:S7
position of the belt conveyor 68 is adjusted upon
operation of the hydraulic cylinder 176, which is
pivotally secured between the frame 178 of the belt
conveyor 68 and the slide frame 114. Before the debris
collecting chamber 42 or box 42 of the truck 32 is pivot-
ally raised to dump the collected debris, the hydraulic
cylinder 176 must be actuated to pivotally raise the belt
conveyor 68 clear of the path of the pivoting box 42.
This sequence is assured by the arrangement of the overall
hydraulic system. During this pivoting of the belt
conveyor and at all times, a counter balance coiled
tension spring 184 dampens and helps to control the
~: positioning of the belt conveyor 68. This spring 184 is
secured between the frame 178 of the belt conveyor and the
vertical frame 132 supporting the bucket conveyor 66.
To keep the debris falling down from the buckets 144 from
occasionally spilling over and out of the path of the belt
: conveyor a shield 182 is secured to the housing 130 of the bucket conveyor 66, as shown in figure 15.
As noted in figures 7 and 8, ditches are not located
; at a standard distance away from the edges of the road, so
as shown in figures 3 and 4, with motion arrows, there is
relative transverse movement between the ditch cleaner 30
and a truck 40. As illustrated in figures 16, 17, 18, and
19, this transverse movement is taken care of in the ditch
cleaner 30 itself. A slide frame 114 is made for controlled
- sliding movement along a base 188, in turn secured by
.
-15-
. ,~ ..
~080Z57
brackets 190 or plates 190, wh~ch are welded to the base
188 and bolted to the frame of a vehicle, such as the frame
60 of truck 32, or frame 72 of truck 40.
In figure 16, the hydraulic actuator 192 is shown,
which supplies the extending and retracting power to move
the slide frame 114 relative to the base 188, and thereby
to move the ditch cl~aner over ditches located at different
distances from the roadway edges. The hydraulic actuator
192 is secured to the base 188 by anchor 194 and secured
to the slide frame 114 by anchor 196. Other than the anchor
194 for hydraulic actuator 192, the base 188 has no other
securement places except for its continuous top and bottom
flanges or rails 198, 200 which slidably interfit with the
overlapping top and bottom guides 202, 204 welded to the
slide 114.
In contrast, the slide 114 has several mounting places
for all the translating components of the ditch cleaner 30,
as illustrated in figures 18, 19 and 20. There is a mount-
ing hub 208 to receive the bearing mounting of the shaft
116, which supports, in turn, the cleaning conveyor 64. As
noted before, anchor 196 on slide 114 receives the other
end of the transverse extending and retracting hydraulic
actuator 192. On slide 114, at its top, the lift hydraulic
actuator 122 is secured to anchor 212. At its bottom, the
slide 114 pivotally receives at its anchor 214, the lower
end of the pivoting arcuate lift beam subassembly 120,
-16-
10~30'~57
which is used in rotating the outward cleaning conveyor 64.
An adjustable thrust plate 216 for receiving any thrust from
the cleanlng conveyor housing 104 is attached to slide 114.
A hydraulic motor mounting plate 218 is welded to slide 114.
Also projecting upwardly from slide 114 is upstanding
vertical ~rame support 132 fitted to receiving structures
220/221. In addition the base of the hydraulic cylinder
or actuator 176, which pivotally moves the belt conveyor
68, is secured to slide 114 at anchor 222. Therefore, when
the hydraulic actuator 192 moves the slide 114 relative
to the base 188, the slide moves together all the other
cofunctioning components of the automatic ditch cleaner 30
to translate them to and from a ditch centerline.
As noted earlier, the bucket and belt conveyors 66,
and 68, are considered more conventional in function,
although they are specifically designed for this ditch
cleaner 30. However, the cleaner conveyor 64, because of
its unusual function and its capability to be pivoted to
reach different ditch locations and depths, and also to
be pivoted to an upward higher speed highway travel
..
position, within the legal eight feet highway width is
considered non conventional in function. Therefore, in
figures 21 and 22, in exploded views the various components
of this cleaning conveyor 64 are illustrated in respect
to the outboard head or end 228 and inboard head or end
230. From viewing these exploded views of figures 21 and
108~ZS7
22, the purpose and function of the components will be
realized. Therefore they are listed by name and numeral
as follows, in figure 21: tie rod 234, auger 90, driven
cleaning chain sprockets 102, seal housing 236, seal 238,
auger shaft 240, key way 242, key 244, shaft sleeve 246
for seal, bearing 248, bearing cup 250, lock 252, nut 254,
end cap 256, and nut 258; and in figure 22: cap screw 262,
washer 264, driven cleaning chain sprocket 102, nut 254,
seal housing 236, seal 238, bearing 248, bearing cup 250,
inboard head 230, digging conveyor 64, mounting shaft 116,
hydraulic motor 94, drive chain 96, driving sprocket 98,
driven sprocket 100, hub or bearing housing 208, shaft
sleeve 246, key way 242, key 244, bolts 262, and slide 114,
and also bolt 232 and cover 260.
The preferred embodiment of a hydraulic system 266 for
controlling, powering, and actuating the ditch cleaner 30
is schematically illustrated in figures 23, and 24. In
the respective cabs of trucks 32, 40, or other vehicles,
there are, for example, eight hand actuated controls. Hand
control 268 is an optional handle that can be used either
as a replacement for one of the other controls in case of
damage or for optional equipment, such as the debris load
leveler 284 on collecting chamber or box 42, as shown in
figure 3. It is to be noted now that valves 270, 272, 274
are automatic flow controls for the overall system and
determine the selected flow direction at a selected volume
of hydraulic oil. However, the other valves are controlled
-18-
.
108V2S'7
when the hand controls are moved or actuated. Hand control
276, via valve 278, controls the bucket conveyor hydraulic
motor 134. Hand control 280, via valve 282, controls the
belt conveyor hydraulic motor 160. Hand control 288, via
valve 290, operates the hydraulic actuator 192, which moves
the slide 114 relative to base 180 of the ditch cleaner 30.
Hand control 292, via valve 294, controls movement of
hydraulic actuator 122, in turn, moving the pivoting arcuate
lift beam subassembly 120, which thereafter positions the
cleaner conveyor 64. Hand control 296, via valve 298,
operates hydraulic actuator 108 which moves the ditch shoe
106 on the cleaning conveyor 64. Hand control 300, via
valve 302, operates the hydraulic motor 94 which drives both
the cleaning conveyor 64 and the auger 90. Hand control
304, via valve assembly 306, first operates the hydraulic
actuator 176 to pivot the belt conveyor, and then operates
the vehicle's hoist to dump the debris collection chamber
42. The hydraulic fluid is circulated bakc and forth
through tank 310, and filters 312, 312. The entire
hydraulic system obtains its pressure via hydraulic pump
316, which is driven by the engine 84 of a vehicle, using
a power take off shaft 82.
Upon movement of hand control 304, valve 306 is moved,
and hydraulic pressure and flow are applied at the time to
: 25 the box hoists cylinders 286, and through the box actuated
valve 308, to the hydraulic actuator 176. Therefore, the
--19--
1080Z57
belt conveyor, being the lightest is raised out of the way
to the limit of travel of its actuator 176, where it stays,
while the full hydraulic pressure operates the box hoist
cylinders 286, in turn raising the box 42 to dump the debris.
Also upon the box 42 raising, it clears a plunger 309 of
the box actuated valve 308, shutting off the hydraulic oil
circuit leading to the actuator 176 of the belt conveyor 68,
thereby preventing the actuator 176 from lowering the belt
conveyor 68 until after the box 42 is again back in place
depressing the plunger 309 of valve 308, opening the
hydraulic circuit releasing all pressure and lowering the
belt conveyor 68.
As shown in figure 3, an optional debris leveling
assembly 284 is mounted on the top of collecting chamber or
box 42 to drive leveling bars 283 into the forming debris
pile to level their tops towards the rear of the box 42.
It is driven by hydraulic motor 160, mounted on bracket 285,
roller chain drive 162, driving sprocket 164. The driven
sprockets 146 and driven chain 142 are similar to the driven
sprockets 146 and driven chain 142 of the bucket conveyor.
This optional debris leveling assembly 284 is controlled
by moving the control handle 268.
As viewed in figure 14, dual set of operational lights,
318, 320, are mounted on the housing 104 of the cleaning
conveyor 64. Preferably during operation of the bucket
conveyor 66 and the belt conveyor 68 respective, these
-20- .
: ~ ,
10~0~57
green and amber lights 318 and 320 will be constantly
blinking to indicate the conveyors correct operations.
However when either conveyor stOps because of plugging
or overload, its respective light 318 or 320 will stop
blinking informing the operator of trouble on ditch cleaner
30, so he may immediately take corrective action before
trying to continue the ditch cleaning operations. These
lights are positioned to be conveniently viewed by the
operator, while he is also viewing the operation of auger
90 being simultaneously driven with the cleaner conveyor 64.
In Figures 14, 26 and 27, the cam-switch assembly 322
and circuit wires 324 to the belt conveyor and battery, and
circuit wires 326 to bucket conveyor and battery, with
respect to the operational lights 318, 320 are illustrated.
lS As long as light 318 is blinking, the operator knows the
belt conveyor 68 is running. As long as light 320 is
blinking, the operator knows the bucket conveyor 66 is
running. ~hen respective shafts 328 and 330 of the belt
conveyor 68 and bucket conveyor 66 are turning, then their
eccentric cams 333 are turning. Their cam action moves
their respective actuator arms 334 turning respective light
switches 336 off and on. Respective wiring circuits 324,
326 carry the oscillating currents to the operational lights
318, 320, and both wiring circuits are connected to a bat-
tery of the truck 40. Other components shown in Figures 26
and 27 are shaft bearing 33~, bearing mounting plate 340,
bolt assemblies 342, cam bolt 344, a switch bracket 346 and
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1080Z57
housing 130 of conveyor 66.
The front cab truck has a dlesel engine with a
responder transmission and an electric operated hydraulic
shift control of a power take off shaft. The tires sizes
are 12:00 x 20 in front, 10:00 x 20 in back. The debris
collection chamber or box has an 8 to 10 cubic yard
capacity and twin telescope hoists are used to dump the
box. The overall weight of the truck is 19,990 pounds,
without the ditch cleaner.
The ditch cleaner weighs 4860 pounds, and has a
hydraulic tank capcity of 85 gallons. A hydraulic fluid
filter is installed in the tank suction line and optionally
another filter is installed in the return line. A double
hydraulic fluid pump is powered by rotation of the power
take off shaft. Both the auger and cleaner conveyor are
driven by the same reversible hydraulic motor developing
740 foot pounds of torque at 2000 pounds per square inch.
Timken bearings are used in this digging conveyor. Both
the bucket and belt conveyors are each driven by a
reversible hydraulic motor developing 300 foot pounds of
torque at 1500 pounds per square inch. Also these
conveyors include self align ball bearings. The buckets
of the bucket conveyor are made of a heavy duty plastic.
During operations the forward truck speed is generally
between 0 and 2 miles per hour as the truck engine runs at
1200 revolu~ions per minute. The depth of the ditches
1080257
being cleaned may be 2 1/2 feet dèep and the lateral travel
of the cleaning conveyor and the auger is 3 feet, with the
extended reach from the truck wheel to the ditch centerline
being 7 1/2 feet. The retracted height of the ditch cleaner
is 12' -8" and its width is 8' -O".
By mounting a ditch-cleaner on a vehicle and during its
operation moving its rotating auger along in an established
- roadside or irrigation ditch, the ditch is reclaimed, as
debris is automatically loosened, removed, conveyed, and
deposited, at selected locations clear of the ditch, shoulder
of the road, and the road. Substantial overall savings
over current ditch cleaning costs are realized upon operating
this ditch-cleaner. Moreover, roadside ditches are main-
tained better and often more frequently, thereby, avoiding
the related costs, for example, of otherwise having to re-
build a road, where a wash out or partial wash out has
occurred because of an unwanted water flow dam created by
accumulated debris.
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