Method for pipeline padding

A method of pipeline padding by crushing spoil which has been piled on an underlying soil surface alongside an excavated trough and returning crushed spoil to the trough, comprising the steps of:

• moving a vehicle having first and second sides on the surface of the spoil pile, the vehicle including first and second surface engaging devices disposed on the vehicle sides;
• crushing spoil using a crushing device connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle;
• transferring spoil from the spoil pile to the crushing device using a transferring device connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle;
• and
• controlling passage of spoil from the spoil pile forward of the surface engaging devices to a position under the surface engaging devices using a device disposed between the sides of the vehicle, adjacent the transferring device, and connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle for selectively allowing spoil to pass below the first surface engaging device and spoil to pass below the second surface engaging device to thereby selectively increase the height of the surface under either side of the vehicle on which the vehicle moves.