Continuous loading apparatus

A continuous loading apparatus disposed on a surface, the apparatus comprising a body, a longitudinal axis, the body having a proximal loading section, an endless conveyor having a proximal end, attached to the proximal loading section, a hinge axis disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis, a single penetrating means adapted for introduction into a material pile and for continuously loading the material onto the proximal end of the conveyor, the penetrating means and the proximal end of the conveyor sharing a common horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, the penetrating means pivotally mounted about the common horizontal axis, first independent means for pivotally oscillating the penetrating means about the common horizontal axis independently of the proximal loading section, the proximal end of the conveyor circumscribing a returning member, the returning member disposed about the common horizontal axis so that the proximal end of the conveyor rotates about the common horizontal axis, the first independent means adapted to selectively change the inclination of the penetrating means and separately to continuously oscillate the penetrating means through a predetermined arc during loading and conveying of the material, second independent means for changing the inclination of the proximal loading section through a second arc about the hinge axis to change the vertical position of the penetrating means and separately for selectively causing a downward force on the transverse axis during the continuous oscillation of the penetrating means to react against a substantial portion of the mass of the apparatus, and the penetrating means adjustably adapted to lie approximately parallel to or substantially flat on the surface when engage therewith.