Ground scraper

#The present invention relates to a ground scraper. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved ground scraper of the type that is towed behind a powered vehicle such as a tractor.

#In land levelling and earthmoving applications, a ground scraper is often employed. Typically, the ground scraper is towed behind a powered vehicle such as a tractor to excavate ground material and level a ground surface. The excavated ground material is then transported to another location. Generally, ground scrapers comprise a cutting edge, referred to as a blade or bit, of adjustable height that is lowered to engage and excavate the ground material and a bowl rearward of the blade in which the excavated ground material is collected as the ground scraper is pulled along.

#Once a required volume of ground material has been excavated to level the ground surface or the bowl is full, the cutting edge is raised clear of the ground surface to cease excavation and a gate or “apron” closes an opening at the front of the bowl to retain the excavated ground material in the bowl. Typically, the excavated ground material is that transported to a dumpsite where the apron is opened and a hydraulic ejection ram drives a door at a rear of the bowl forward to expel the excavated ground material from the bowl. Alternatively, in some scrapers, the bowl pivots to tip the excavated material from the bowl.

#Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an improved ground scraper according to an embodiment of the present invention showing the ground scraper coupled to a powered vehicle and an apron of the ground scraper in a semi-open position;

#FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a rear portion of the ground scraper according to another embodiment;

#Skilled addressees will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be distorted to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

#FIG. 1 shows a ground scraper 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ground scraper 10 includes: a bowl 12 for holding excavated ground material; a cutting edge 14 mounted at a mouth of the bowl 12 for excavating the ground material; an apron 26 pivotally mounted to the bowl 12 for closing the mouth of the bowl 12; and a hitch assembly 28 including a draft tube 32 and a pair of draft arms 34 extending from the draft tube 32 and pivotally coupled to the bowl 12. Each draft arm 34 includes a first portion 36 angled with respect to a second portion 38.

#The bowl 12 is formed from a base or floor 16, opposed longitudinally extending sidewalls 18 and an ejector door 62 (i.e., ejector) located at a rear of the bowl 12 for ejecting excavated ground material received through the mouth of the bowl 12. The mouth of the bowl 12 is defined by the base or floor 16, the sidewalls 18 and the cutting edge 14. The ejector door 62 spans the width of the bowl 12 and is coupled to a hydraulic ram in the form of an ejector ram (shown in FIG. 2) for moving the ejector door 62 between the rear and front of the bowl 12 for ejecting the excavated ground material out of the mouth. The ejector door 62 and ejector ram will be described in more detail below.