Method and apparatus for high speed grading
AssigneeSavannah Smooth Roads, LLC
InventorDavid W. Heckendorf
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for high speed grading a road in a single pass. The grader including a frame supported above a surface. At least one blade is pivotally fixed to the frame, and is positionable to engage the surface. A first biasing mechanism biases the blade toward a forward position. At least one leveling board is pivotally fixed to the frame, and is positionable to engage the surface rearwardly of the blade. A second biasing mechanism biases the leveling board toward a forward position. A packing mechanism is fixed rearwardly of the leveling board, and is positionable to engage the surface.
Claims26
A grader including:
- a frame supported above a surface
- at least one blade pivotally fixed to said frame, and being positionable to engage the surface;
- a first biasing mechanism biasing said blade toward a forward position;
- at least one leveling board pivotally fixed to said frame, and being positionable to engage the surface rearwardly of said blade;
- a second biasing mechanism biasing said leveling board toward a forward position;
- and
- a packing mechanism fixed rearwardly of said leveling board, and being positionable to engage the surface.
A method of grading a surface of a road including
- reclaiming the road surface with at least one blade in a single pass;
- smoothing the reclaimed surface with at least one leveling board in the same pass as reclaiming the road surface;
- and
- packing the smoothed, reclaimed road surface in the same pass as smoothing the reclaimed surface.
A grader having at least one grader blade, said blade being positioned to effect grading of a surface, said blade being supported by a leg joined to a support frame by a pivot connection, the position of said blade being maintained in a forward position by a hydraulic ram the pressure of which is governed by hydraulic pressure of fluid within the ram which fluid is hydraulically connected to an accumulator, wherein the accumulator is mounted on the support frame so that the hydraulic pressure in the ram is substantially the pressure within the accumulator;
- at least one leveling board fixed rearwardly of said blade, said leveling board being positioned to effect smoothing of at least a portion of the surface, said leveling board being supported by a leg joined to the support frame by a pivot connection;
- a biasing member urging said leveling board toward a forward position;
- and
- at least one wheel rotatably mounted rearwardly of said mounting board, said wheel being positioned to effect packing of at least a portion of the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.