# US 2014/0190045 A1 · Machine for removing ballast from a track > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190045 A1 - Document ID: US20140190045A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/238,106 - Filed: 2012-08-23 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-15 - Assignees: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H. - Applicants: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H - Inventors: Josef Theurer; Herbert Woergoetter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190045A1 ## CPC - E01B 27/04: Removing the ballast; Machines therefor, whether or not additionally adapted for taking-up ballast (E01B27/06, E01B27/12 takes precedence; redistributing ballasting material E01B27/02) - E01B: PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS (derailing or rerailing blocks on track, track brakes or retarders B61K) ## Abstract The invention relates to a clearing device (5) provided for removing ballast below a track (4), which clearing device comprises a clearing beam (10) of a clearing chain (11) that can be positioned below the track (4) in a ballast bed (6) and pivoted about a vertical axis of rotation (7). An end (12) of the clearing beam (10) that is distanced from the axis of rotation (7) can be connected by a releasable coupling (13) to a supporting device (14) fastened to the machine frame (1). In order to pivot jointly with the clearing beam (10), the supporting device is fastened to the machine frame (1) via a linkage (16) that is distanced from the coupling (13) and has a pivot axis (15). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A machine for removing ballast underneath a track (4), including a machine frame (1), mobile on the track (4) via on-track undercarriages, and—connected for vertical adjustment to the former—a clearing device (5) which has a cutter bar (10) of an excavating chain (11), the cutter bar being designed for being positioned in a ballast bed (6) underneath the track (4) and pivotable about a vertical rotation axis (7, 31) in an excavation plane (9) over an angle α with respect to a longitudinal direction (8) of the track, wherein an end (12)—spaced from the rotation axis (7, 31)—of the cutter bar (10) can be connected by means of a detachable coupling (13) to a support device (14) fastened to the machine frame (1), wherein, the support device (14) is adjustable relative to the machine frame (1) for continuous support of the cutter bar (10) independently of the angle α. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The machine according to claim 1, wherein, for pivoting together with the cutter bar (10), the support device (14) is mounted on the machine frame (1) via an articulated connection (16) which is distanced from the coupling (13) and has a pivot axis (15). ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The machine according to claim 2, wherein the vertical rotation axis (7, 31) of the cutter bar (10) and the pivot axis (15) of the articulated connection (16) are positioned parallel to one another. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The machine according to claim 1, wherein the support device (14) consists of a horizontal beam (17), connected to the machine frame (1) by means of the articulated connection (16) and having a free end (18) spaced from the articulated connection (16), and a vertical beam (19) connected to the free end (18) and comprising the coupling (13). ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The machine according to claim 4, wherein the vertical beam (19) is connected by means of a travelling trolley (20) to the horizontal beam (17) having a longitudinal direction (21), and that the travelling trolley (20) is mounted for displacement in the said longitudinal direction (21). ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The machine according to claim 4, wherein the vertical beam (19) having a longitudinal direction (23) may be changed as to its length in said longitudinal direction (23) by means of a drive (24). ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The machine according to claim 5, wherein a blocking device (22) for selective force-locking connection to the horizontal beam (17) is associated with the travelling trolley (20). ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The machine according to claim 4, wherein the vertical beam (19) of the support device (14) is connected to a cable (25) of a cable winch (27) arranged on the machine frame (1) in front of the support device (14), with regard to a working direction (26) of the machine (2). ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The machine according to claim 1, wherein two support devices (14) independent of one another are provided, with their respective articulated connections (16) being spaced from one another in a transverse direction (28) of the machine. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The machine according to claim 1, wherein the cutter bar (10) can be rotated, together with a rotation drive (29) for rotating the excavating chain (11), about a rotation axis (31) relative to the machine frame (1) by 180° for selectively positioning the rotation drive (29) in either one of two bedding sections (32), each adjoining sleeper ends (30).