Methods for cutting aligned sets of slots in pavement

A method for simultaneously cutting a plurality of parallel slots in a road surface with a plurality of parallel pairs of rotatable cutting blades mounted on a prime mover, the method comprising:

• positioning the prime mover in a desired location on the surface with the blades positioned above a portion of the surface in which slots are to be cut;
• locking the prime mover against movement relative to the surface;
• actuating the blades for rotation about a common axis;
• lowering the rotating blades into the surface to a first depth so as to make a plurality of parallel pairs of cuts in the surface;
• moving the rotating blades horizontally in a first direction perpendicular to the rotational axis and relative to the prime mover and the surface so that the cuts are elongated;
• further lowering the rotating blades into the surface to a second depth so as to deepen the cuts;
• moving the rotating blades horizontally in a second direction opposite the first direction and relative to the prime mover and the surface so that the deepened cuts in the surface are elongated;
• raising the blades from the cuts;
• moving the prime mover to provide access to the cuts;
• and
• removing the road surface between pairs of cuts so as to form a plurality of parallel slots in the road surface.

A method for reinforcing transverse joints in roads, comprising:

• positioning a slot cutting machine over a road joint and locking the machine in such position so that the machine does not move relative to the joint;
• lowering a cutting head having a plurality of rotating parallel cutting blades into the road so as to simultaneously make a plurality of parallel cuts in the road;
• moving the rotating blades horizontally so as to elongate the cuts while maintaining the locked position of the machine over the joint;
• raising the blades from the road;
• moving the machine from the joint;
• removing road material between adjacent cuts so as to form a plurality of parallel slots in the road;
• placing dowel bars into the slots;
• and
• filling the slots with new road material.

An apparatus for cutting a plurality of parallel slots in a surface, comprising:

• a frame;
• first power means for moving the frame along the surface;
• a brake for locking the frame against movement relative to the surface;
• a plurality of parallel cutting blades rotatably mounted on the frame;
• second power means for rotating the blades;
• first means on the frame for raising and lowering the blades relative to the frame and to the surface;
• and
• second means on the frame for moving the blades forwardly and rearwardly relative to the frame and to the surface.