Efficient method and pulverizer for pipeline trench padding

An apparatus for maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, comprising:

• a frame adapted for movement along a trench being formed by the apparatus;
• a lead assembly, comprising a feeder housing having a rotating toothed/bladed drum that is attached to the frame immediately in front of an elevator device, for retrieving and reducing clump size of the excavated material;
• the elevator device, being attached to the frame immediately behind the drum, for receiving and transporting the excavated material to at least a first mesh screen;
• the at least first mesh screen, attached to the frame and situated to receive the excavated material from the elevator device, for separating the excavated material into at least two grades of material;
• means for transporting and pulverizing material that passes through the at least first mesh screen to the trench;
• and
• means for transporting material that fails to pass through the at least first mesh screen.

A method for trench-padding that maximizes conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, comprising the steps of:

• using a trench-padding apparatus that includes a lead assembly with a feeder housing to pick up the excavated material;
• using a front rotating unit with protrusions to a frame of the trench-padding apparatus immediately in front of to force clumps of the excavated material between the front rotating unit and a base of the feeder housing to aid in reducing clump size, the front rotating unit being attached to a frame of the trench-padding apparatus immediately in front of an elevator device adapted to receive and transport said excavated material to at least a first mesh screen attached to said frame, said screen configured and adapted for separating the excavated material into at least two grades of material;
• and
• transporting excavated material that fails to pass through said at least a first screen to a location removed from said screen.

An apparatus for excavating a trench and maximizing conversion of excavated material to trench-padding material, comprising:

• a frame adapted for movement along/astride a trench being formed by the apparatus;
• a lead assembly, comprising a feeder housing configured to excavate the trench and having a rotating toothed/bladed drum that is attached to the frame immediately in front of an elevator device, for retrieving and pulverizing the excavated material;
• the elevator device, being attached to the frame immediately behind the drum, for receiving and transporting the excavated material to at least a first mesh screen;
• the at least first mesh screen, attached to the frame and situated to receive the excavated material from the elevator device, for separating the excavated material into at least two grades of material;
• means for transporting material that passes through the at least first mesh screen to the trench;
• and
• means for pulverizing and transporting material that fails to pass through the at least first mesh screen.