115)
`United States Patent
`4,325,580
`[11]
`
` [45] Apr. 20, 1982
`
`Swisher, Jr. et al.
`
`[54] ROADWAY PLANING APPARATUS
`[75}
`Inventors: George W. Swisher, Jr., Oklahoma
`City; Donald W. Smith, Edmond;
`Carl D, Parker, Yukon,all of Okla.
`[73] Assignee: CMI Corporation, OklahomaCity,
`Okla.
`.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 36,447
`[22] Filed:
`May7, 1979
`[51]
`Int. C13 oe cssaeceeseseeesssesesenes EQ1C 23/09
`[52] U.S. Ch. cc ccccsecscesesesessees 299/39; 37/108 R;
`404/90
`[58] Field of Search oo... 299/39, 81; 404/90;
`173/60, 61; 175/17; 37/108 R
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[56]
`
`9/1962 Morrison et al.ccs 175/17 X
`3,055,647
`
`«. 37/108 R
`1/1969 Swisheret al.
`....
`3,423,859
`«. 37/108 R
`4/1974 Snow etal.........
`3,802,525
`
`7/1975 Wallet ab. cccccssssssssesees 299/39
`3,895,843
`
`3,923,341 12/1975 Miller wu...
`w» 299/39 X
`3,946,506
`3/1976 Snow et al. v.ccccecsseeees 37/108 R
`4,041,623
`8/1977 Miller et al. cesses 299/39 X
`4,171,147 10/1979 Swisheret al.
`.....ccccccccces 404/90 X
`
`.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2713460 10/1977 Fed. Rep. of Germany........ 404/90
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`PR-225 Pavement Profiler Parts Book, Issue No. 3,
`CMICorporation, Aug. 1, 1978.
`PR-225 Pavement Profiler Maintenance Manual, Issue
`No. 2, CMI Corporation, Jun. 1978.
`
`Primary Examiner—Ernest R. Purser
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Dunlap & Codding
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A planer apparatus for cutting a selected upper portion
`of a roadway surface to coincide with a preselected
`reference plane, comprising a main frame drivingly
`supported bya drive assembly, the main frame carrying
`a planing assembly comprising a rotating cutter drum
`assembly and a cutter drive.assembly. The cutter drive
`assembly comprises a pair of cutter power assemblies
`which are disposed on oneside of the main frame and
`which are connected to a rotating hub member. The
`rotating hub member is carried by load-bearing hub
`support surfaces, with the rotating hub memberrotat-
`ably driving the cutter drum assembly.
`The planer apparatus further comprises an upper mate-
`rial lifting conveyor for elevating and moving roadway
`material disengaged from the roadway by the planing
`assembly. The upper material lifting conveyor features
`an upper conveyorcover connecting the side members
`of the upper conveyor frame, with the conveyor motor
`assembly mounted on the upper conveyor frame be-
`tween the side members. A spray bar assembly cleans
`the non-transport surface of the conveyor belt of the
`upper material lifting conveyor.
`The planer apparatus may be powered either by a main
`or auxiliary drive unit, with the exhaust discharge sys-
`tem ofthe main drive unit disposed in heat-transferring
`relationship to a water spray system providing dust
`control for the apparatus.
`
`33 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures
`
`35
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`‘ROADWAYPLANING APPARATUS
`“BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`. 1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates generally ttothe field of
`construction apparatus.and more particularly, but not
`by way'‘of limitation, to a planer type road construction
`apparatus affording. precision planing of an existing
`paved roadway.
`:
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`As was discussed in detail in U.S..Pat. No. 4,139,318,
`maintenance andrepair of paved. roadways by a planing
`process provides an economical and energy-conserving
`alternative to conventional. repaving ‘and resurfacing.
`The planing .process, which involves cutting away a
`selected upper-portion of the roadway, permits relative
`depthreduction of holes, bumpsor recesses in the road-
`-way by decreasing the overall thickness of-the roadway.
`Thereafter, the roadway may. be repaved to a.specified
`thickness, thereby eliminating wasteful buildup of pav-
`ing material on.the roadway.
`The planer apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No.
`4,139,318 has provided:a-maneuverable, fast-moving
`and highly accurate improvementoverprior art devices
`for accomplishing roadway planing operations. By vir-
`tue of the automatic elevation and cross-slope controls
`featured on the apparatus, the operator need not possess
`unusualskill .or-experience in order to plane a roadway
`surface, to a predetermined grade and cross-slope. The
`dust control and reclaiming features of the apparatus
`described in the above-mentioned patent permitplaning
`to be undertaken without generation of unrecovered
`atmospheric dust or pavementdebris, thereby affording
`clean and waste-free planing operation.
`While the apparatus described in the abovementioned
`patent has proven highly suitable for most.planing ap-
`plications, it. lacks: design features adapting it to use. in
`certain difficult operational environments. For example,
`the design of the apparatus, makesit difficult to achieve
`close side approaches to. vertical obstructions such as
`walls and curbs. Close side approachesby suchpriorart
`apparatus are prevented by bulky chain drive assemblies
`for powering rotation of the cutter drum, which .are
`normally mounted on either side of the apparatus.
`During extremely cold weather conditions, prior art
`planers -have ,experienced difficulty in achieving ade-
`quate dust control, which has been provided by water
`spray devicesusedin conjunction with planing cutters.
`During winter conditions dust control has been ham-
`pered by water freezing in the spray nozzles used to
`spray the dust generated during planing operations.
`Aswith any type of powered machinery, there are
`occasions of powerfailure in a planer apparatus which
`require field or shop repair. In units the size of prior art
`planing cutters, including that described in U.S, Pat.
`No. 4,139,318, failure of the-power drive unit during
`field operation results in an immediate immobilization
`of the apparatus. If this occurs, the apparatus can be
`moved only by towing, a difficult and time-consuming
`process. Should a powerfailure occur while the appara-
`tus is located in a depressed cut in the roadway, it may
`be extremely difficult and. impractical to tow the appa-
`ratus from the cut, in which case, the usual procedure is
`to repair or. replacethepower drive unit in thefield.
`During planing operations, it has been found that
`repair. or replacement of the cutting teeth of the cutter
`drum is required during field operation. of the planing
`
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`apparatus. To achieve this repair or replacement, a
`cutting bit must be properly positioned so as to permit
`access by. a field mechanic. It has been found that the
`‘cutting bit can be properly positioned only by turning
`the cutter drum byselectively actuating the main power
`drive unit to turn the cutting drum. Since this turning
`occurs at the same rapid rate of rotation as that of the
`cutter drum during planing operations, the cutter drum
`presents a potential personnel hazard during such re-
`pairs unless the main power unit is completely shut off
`and locked in this mode while personnel are working
`near-the cutter drum. Oncé: work has been completed
`on the cutting bits accessible in one setting of the cutter
`drum, the area must be vacated while the main drive
`unit is again actuated and the proper safety procedures
`are again invoked. This time consuming but necessary
`routine: renders cutting bit repair or replacement a
`costly process.
`' Additionally, difficulties have been experienced with
`the reclaimer assemblies utilized in prior art planers of
`the type described in the above mentioned patent dur-
`ing actual operational conditions. Dirt and dust from
`the material carried by the reclaimer assembly tends to
`accumulate in and around conveyorrollers in the re-
`claimer assembly. Further, the conveyor motors of such
`prior art reclaimers have usually projected from the
`conveyor frame, making such motors vulnerable to
`collision damage by, trucks positioned below the dis-
`charge end of the conveyor.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Thepresentinvention provides a planer apparatus for
`cutting a selected upper portion of a roadway surface
`comprising a main frame drivingly supported by a drive
`assembly, the main frame. carrying a planing assembly
`comprising a rotating cutter drum assembly and a cutter
`drive assembly. The cutter drive assembly comprises a
`pair of. cutter power assemblies disposed on one side of
`the main frame and connected to a rotating hub mem-
`ber. The rotating hub memberis carried by a load-bear-
`ing hub support assembly, with the rotating hub mem-
`ber rotationally driving the cutter drum assembly.
`The apparatus further comprises a reclaimer assem-
`bly for elevating and moving the roadway material
`disengaged from the roadwayby the planer assembly.
`An upper material lifting conveyor of the reclaimer
`assembly features an upper conveyor cover connecting
`the side membersof the upper conveyor frame, with the
`upper conveyor motor mounted on the upper conveyor
`frame between the side members. A conveyor water
`spray system cleans the non-transport surface of the
`conveyorbelt of the upper material lifting conveyor.
`‘The planer’ apparatus may be powered either by a
`main or an auxiliary drive unit, with the exhaust dis-
`charge system of the main drive unit disposed in heat-
`transferring relationship to a cutter water spray system
`providing dust control for the apparatus.
`It is anobject of the present invention to provide an
`apparatus for planing a paved roadway underdifficult
`environmental conditions.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`a planing apparatus capable of planing a roadwaysur-
`face in close proximity to a vertical obstruction.
`Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide
`a planing apparatus in which dust generated by planing
`operations may be controlled even at low temperatures.
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`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`an alternative to the main drive unit of a planer appara-
`tus in the event of failure of the main power drive unit
`or in the event that a low cutter drum rotational speed
`is required.
`Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide
`a reclaimer assembly for a planer apparatus in which the
`upper conveyor motor is protected during reclaiming
`operations, and in which conveyorrollers are not sub-
`ject to accumulation of dust and debris associated with
`the operation of the reclaimer assembly.
`Other objects and advantagesofthe invention will be
`evident from the following detailed description when
`read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
`whichillustrate the preferred embodiment of the inven-
`tion.
`
`‘BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`— 0
`
`20
`
`4
`best shownin FIG.2. Each track assembly is connected
`to the underside of the main frame 12 bya selectively
`extendable leg assembly of which a left forward leg
`assembly 22 and a left rear leg assembly 24 are shown in
`FIG.1. Each leg assembly is responsive to an elevation
`control assembly 26 and a cross-slope control assembly
`(not shown) which maintain the main frame 12 in a
`selected spatial orientation in relation to the roadway
`surface. Steering of the apparatus 10 is accomplished by
`a steering assembly (not shown) engaged with the for-
`ward leg assemblies.
`Supported beneath the main frame 12 is a planing
`assembly 28, comprising a rotatable cutter drum assem-
`bly 30, best shown in FIG. 5, and a cutter housing as-
`sembly 32 shown in FIG. 1. A cutter drive assembly 34
`disposed on the right side of the main frame 12,as indi-
`cated in dashed lines in FIG. 2, powers rotational mo-
`tion of the cutter drum assembly 30. The disposition of
`the cutter drive assembly 34 at one end of the cutter
`drum assembly 30 permits the other end of the cutter
`drum assembly 30 to be disposed in close proximity to
`the side of the main frame 12, thus permitting the planer
`apparatus 10 to be moved to within close proximity to
`curbs, vertical walls and the like as may required during
`planing operations.
`Asthe planer apparatus 10 is moved in the forward
`direction 35 by the drive assembly 14, the cutter drum
`assembly 30 cuts pavement material from the roadway
`surface. By selective orientation of the main frame 12
`via the elevation and cross-slope control assemblies,
`(described morefully in the above mentioned U.S.Pat.
`No. 4,139,138), the cutter drum assembly 30 may be
`oriented so as to cut the roadway surface to coincide
`with a reference plane of predetermined spatial orienta-
`tion. Accordingly, a paved surface of preselected grade
`and cross-slope may be formed.
`_
`Pavement material dislodged from the roadway by
`the action of the cutter drum assembly 30 is retained and
`moved forward by a moldboard assembly 36, partially
`shown in FIG. 2. The pavement material is thereafter
`received through a central opening in the moldboard
`assembly 36 by a reclaimer assembly 38, which com-
`prises lower material
`lifting conveyor 40, shown in
`FIG. 2, and an upper material
`lifting conveyor 42,
`shownin FIGS.1 and 2. As will be discussed hereinbe-
`low, the discharge end 44 of the upper materiallifting
`conveyor42 is movable in vertical and horizontal direc-
`tions as required for convenient discharge of the road-
`way material into trucks.
`Control of dust raised by the action of the planing
`assembly 28 is provided by a water spray system 46,
`which sprays water at points adjacent the planing as-
`‘sembly 28 and at points adjacent the conveyorbelts of
`the lower and upper material lifting conveyors 40 and
`42. Freezing of water within the water spray system 46
`is prevented by routing the heated exhaust from the
`main drive unit 20 to those points susceptible to freez-
`ing.
`An auxiliary drive unit 48, depicted in dashedlines in
`By wayof introduction and with reference to FIG.1,
`FIG.3, is provided to permit selective elevation and
`theapparatusto be described in detail is generally desig-
`movement of the main frame 12, and rotation of the
`nated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a main
`cutter drum assembly 30, as may be required during
`frame 12 supported above a roadwaysurface by a drive
`emergency or maintenance operations when the main
`drive unit 20 cannot be used.
`assembly 14 comprising four track assemblies, of which
`65
`a left forward track assembly 16 andaleft rear track
`Turning now to a detailed description of the appara-
`assembly 18 are shown in FIG. 1. The drivé assembly 14
`tus of the present invention and with reference to FIGS.
`is powered for forward and rearward movement by a
`2 and 3, the main frame 12 of the apparatus 10 has a
`main drive unit 20 disposed on the main frame 12, as
`forward end 50, a rear end 52, a right side 54 anda left
`
`FIG. 1 showsa perspective view of the planing appa-
`ratus of the present invention.
`FIG.2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of
`FIG. 1, showing the rightside.
`FIG.3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of
`FIG. 1, showingtheleft side.
`FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the left
`forward leg assembly of the apparatus of FIG.1.
`FIG.5 is a semi-detailed, semi-diagrammatical, eleva-
`tional representation of the cutter drum assembly and
`cutter housing assembly of the apparatus shownin FIG.
`1, as viewed from the front of the cutter drum assembly.
`The door assembly and a portion of the housing frame
`have been omitted to provide a better view of the com-
`ponents.
`FIG.6 is an enlarged view of a cutting bit support
`member, a plurality of which comprise the flighting
`‘sections of the cutter drum assembly shownin FIG.5,
`shown ona portion of the cutter drum.
`FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cutter housing
`assembly and cutter door assembly of the apparatus of
`FIG. 1.
`FIG.8 is a partial side elevational view of the left side
`of the apparatus of FIG.1, with the right side housing
`assembly partially cut away to show the moldboard
`assembly.
`FIG.9 is a partially exploded perspective view ofthe
`cutter drive assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with
`the chain drive elements partially cut away to better
`display the components.
`FIG.10 is a perspective view of the lower material
`lifting conveyor of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the
`conveyor cover and conveyor belt not shown in place
`to permit better display of the other components.
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the upper material
`lifting conveyor of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the
`conveyor cover and conveyor belt not shownin place
`to permit better display of the other components.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
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`side 56. Centrally disposed on the main frame 12 is an
`of a hydraulic motor (not shown), which is connected
`operator. console 58, at which an operator riding onthe
`by conduits (not shown)to a hydraulic pump 74 in the
`main frame 12 and facing its forward end 50 may re-
`main drive unit 20. When the hydraulic motoris actu-
`motely control operation of the components of the ap-
`ated, via a control at the operator console 58, the hy-
`paratus 10 in a mannerto be describedin greater detail
`draulic motor drive shaft causes rotation of the drive
`hereafter.
`sprocket 88, and thus causes forward motion by the
`The just-described componentassemblies of the appa-
`endless chain track 86 which results in forward motion
`ratus, including the drive assembly 14, leg assemblies,
`of the main frame 12 in the direction shown by the
`steering assembly, planing assembly 28 and reclaimer
`arrow 35,
`assembly 38, are powered by the main drive unit 20
`A track speed indicator assembly (not shown), of
`which is disposed on the main frame 12. The main drive
`conventional construction, is connected to the hydrau-
`unit 20 comprises an engine 64, such as a diesel engine of
`lic motor in order to sense the motor speed, whichis
`conventional construction, mounted on the main frame
`proportional to the track speed of the apparatus 10. An
`12 adjacentits forward end 50. The engine 64 is pow-
`electrical circuit connects the track speed indicator
`ered by hydrocarbon fuel, drawn via a fuel line (not
`assembly to the operator console 58 where the track
`shown) from a fuel tank 66 also disposed on the main
`speed maybe displayed visually for operator reference.
`frame 12, and maybeactuated by a controlat the opera-
`Since the track assemblies will be characterized by
`tor console 58. Engine exhaust from the main drive unit
`equal track speeds, only a single track speed indicatoris
`20 is routed into an exhaust discharge system 68, de-
`required for the apparatus. Thus, while the track speed
`picted by dashed lines in FIG. 3, which extends rear-
`indicator discussed herein has been disposed atthe left
`ward beneath the main frame 12 via exhaust conduits to
`forward track assembly 16 for purposes ofthis applica-
`be described in greater detail hereafter.
`tion, it will be understood that the track speed indicator
`The engine 64 is covered by a retractable forward
`assembly maybe alternatively disposed at any other one
`cowling 70, shown in FIG. 1, which maybe raised
`of the track assemblies.
`whenservicing is required and which may be lowered
`The left forward track assembly 16 is connected to
`during operation of the planing apparatus 10.
`the main frame 12 via the left forward leg assembly 22.
`As shownin FIG.3, the-engine 64 powers, via con-
`While the construction of the left forward leg assembly
`ventional gear reducing gearboxes 72, a plurality of
`will be described in detail later in this application, it
`hydraulic pumps 74, disposed adjacent the rear end 52
`may be noted at this point that connection of the left
`of the main frame. These hydraulic pumps 74, which
`forward track assembly 16 to the left forward leg assem-
`operate on hydraulic fluid drawn from a hydraulic fluid
`bly 22 is accomplished via a track yoke member 96
`tank 76, shown in FIG. 1, are connected by conven-
`mounted on the upperportion of the track frame 84. As
`tional hydraulic conduits to the component assemblies
`best seen in FIG. 4, the track yoke member 96 com-
`of the planing apparatus 10. In a mannersimilar to the
`prises a horizontal plate 98 andapair of vertical plates
`engine 64, the hydraulic pumps 74 and gearboxes 72 are
`100 depending downwardly from opposite sides of the
`covered bya retractable rear cowling 78, also shown in
`horizontal plate 98. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
`FIG. 1. The operation of the hydraulic pumps 74, as
`vertical plates 109 clear the endless chain track 86 and
`required for powering operation of the componentas-
`engage opposite ends of a cylindrical track axle member
`semblies of the apparatus 10, may be directed by con-
`(not shown), which extends from one side of the track
`trols at the operator console 58.
`frame 84 to the other through a cylindrical openingin
`The drive assembly 14 comprises four track assem-
`the track frame 84. The track frame 84 may pivot on
`blies disposed beneath each of the four corners of the
`track axle member as may be required to maintain the
`main frame 12. Each track assembly, which is con-
`nected to the main frame 12 by a leg-assembly, functions
`chain track 86 in contact with the roadway when an
`obstruction, or a crest of an undulation or the like, is
`to support and movethe main frame 12. Since the left
`forward track assembly 16, left rear track assembly 18,
`encountered by the apparatus 10.
`right forward. track assembly 82, and right rear track
`Front and rear fenders 104 are mounted on the upper
`portion of the track frame 84 on opposite sides of the
`assembly 80 are all of substantially identical construc-
`tion, only the left forward track assembly 16 will be
`track yoke member 96. Each fender is supported by
`described in detail.
`brackets on the track frame 84 and functionsas a safety
`With reference to FIG. 3, the left forward track as-
`guard for the chain track 86.
`sembly 16 comprises a horizontally oriented track frame
`It will be noted that the provision of four track and
`84 carrying an endless roadway-contacting chain track
`leg assemblies represents an improvement over those
`86. The chain track 86 is engaged at one end ofthe track
`prior art planers which have featured only three track
`frame 84 with a rotatably mounted drive sprocket 88
`and leg assemblies. The four track and leg assemblies
`andat the other end of the track frame 84 with a rotat-
`permit wider distribution of the weight of the main
`ably mountedreturn roller 96. A plurality ofrollers (not
`frame 12, thereby stabilizing the apparatus 10. Further,
`shown) are engaged with the upper and lower portions
`the four track construction affords the use of a substan-
`of the endless chain track 86 along the length of the
`tially rectangular main frame, which permits a better
`track frame 84, in order to provide further support for
`distribution of the components supported by the main
`the endless chain track 86. The track is maintained in
`frame 12, permitting the center of gravity of the appara-
`tight turning contact with the drive sprocket 88 and
`tus 10 to more closely coincide with the position ofthe
`return roller 90 by a track tensioner (not shown) of
`planing assembly 28 than in prior art planers. This per-
`conventional construction, disposed on either side of
`mits maintenance and control of more uniform down-
`the track frame 84 so as to bias the return roller 90 in
`ward pressure on the planing assembly 28 by the main
`yielding engagement with the endless chain track 86.
`frame 12, as required for maximum control of vibra-
`The drive sprocket 88 is engaged, via a conventional
`tions, and for minimizing track assembly spinout and
`gear reducing assembly (not shown), to the drive shaft
`track wear by the apparatus 10.
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`lower closure member 114 so that the lower end of the
`As was mentioned previously, a leg assembly dis-
`posed adjacent each corner of the main frame 12 func-
`vertical inner cylinder 124 may extend into the lower
`tions to connect each track assembly to the main frame
`end ofthe vertical outer cylinder 110. The vertical inner
`cylinder 124 carries at its upper endarolling flange 126,
`12. Each leg assembly further serves to maintain the
`5
`main frame 12 at a selectively variable height above the
`which overlaps and engages the wall portion 118 of the
`roadway,as is required for proper cutting orientation of
`lower closure member 114 so that the weight of the
`the planing assembly 28 to be described in greaterdetail
`vertical inner cylinder 124 is carried by the lowerclo-
`hereafter. The leg assemblies are mounted on theleft
`sure member 114. The flange 126 is not shown in
`contact with the lower closure member 114 in the ex-
`forward,left rear, right forward and right rear portions
`of the main frame 12 and,as the left leg assemblies are
`ploded view in FIG.4, so that components of the leg
`identical
`in construction to the right leg assemblies,
`assembly 22 may be displayed moreeasily.
`only the left forward leg assembly 22 andleft rear leg
`the vertical
`With continued reference to FIG. 4,
`assembly 24 will be described in detail for purposes of
`inner cylinder 124 features a passage portion, having a
`this application.
`substantially square cross-section, which closely re-
`Asis best shown in FIG. 4,the left forward leg as-
`ceives the tubular member 120 along its length. The
`sembly 22 comprises a vertical outer cylinder 110
`vertical inner cylinder 124, positioned coaxially to the
`mounted on the main frame 12 at its left forward por-
`tubular member 120, terminates immediately below the
`tion. The vertical outer cylinder 110 extends from its
`lower closure member 114. Although not shownin the
`upper end, located above the main frame 12, to a lower
`exploded view of FIG. 4. The lower end ofthe vertical
`end coinciding with the underside of the main frame 12.
`inner cylinder 124 is engaged with a steering plate 128
`Thevertical outer cylinder 110is closed at its upper end
`via bolts (not shown9 which are secured to the bottom
`by an end cap 112 whichis secured by bolts (not shown)
`ofthe vertical inner cylinder 124. Thesteering plate 124
`to the vertical outer cylinder, and is partially closed at
`comprises a flange portion 130 which surrounds and
`its lower end by a lower closure member 114. The
`clearingly receives the tubular member 120, a forward
`lower closure member 114 comprises a flange portion
`clevis 132 mounted on the uppersideof the flange por-
`116 bolted to the underside of the main frame 12, and an
`tion 130 and a rear clevis 134 disposed on the flange
`upward-extending cylindrical wall portion 118 closely
`portion 130 on the opposite side of the tubular member
`received: within the vertical outer cylinder 110, and
`120 from the forward clevis 132. The forward and rear
`extending a portion of the length thereof. It will be
`clevises are connected to the steering assembly in a
`understood that the exploded view of the lower closure
`mannerto be described in greater detail hereafter. How-
`member 114 in FIG. 4, showing the lower closure mem-
`everit will be notedat this point that the steering assem-
`ber 114 disconnected from the main frame 12,
`is for
`bly causes rotational motion of the steering plate 128
`viewing convenience only. When the apparatus 10is in
`and thus the vertical inner cylinder 124. Because the
`operation, the lower closure member 114is at all times
`passage portion of the vertical
`inner cylinder 124
`connected to the main frame 12.
`closely receives the tubular member 120, rotational
`A hollow tubular member 120is coaxially received in
`motion of the vertical inner cylinder 124 causes rotation
`the vertical outer cylinder 110 at its lower end. The
`of the tubular member 120,thus effecting turning of the
`tubular member 120is rigid, and is characterized by a
`track yoke member 96 and consequently turning of the
`substantially square cross section along its axis. The
`left forward track assembly 16.
`lower end of the tubular member 120 is welded to the
`Extension andretraction of the left foward leg assem-
`horizontalplate 98 of the track yoke member96,previ-
`bly 22, as may be required to alter the elevation and
`ously described with reference to the left forward track
`orientation of the planing assembly 28 with respect to
`assembly 16, while the upper end of the tubular member
`the roadway surface, is accomplished by extension and
`120 is unsecured, and is thus permitted to move up and
`retraction of a hydraulic cylinder 136 internally dis-
`downwithin the vertical outer cylinder 110 as the tubu-
`posed within the tubular member 120. The hydraulic
`lar member 120 is drawn into or retracted therefrom.
`cylinder 136 is connected atits piston rod to the under-
`Again, it will be understood that the exploded view of
`side of the end cap 112, clearingly extends through,the
`hollow interior of the tubular member 120 and is con-
`FIG.4 is for viewing convenience only, and that the
`upper end of the tubular member 120 is at all times
`nected at
`its cylinder end, via a mounting lug (not
`within the vertical outer cylinder 110 during operation
`shown), to the horizontal plate 98 of the track yoke
`of the apparatus 10.
`member 96. The hydraulic cylinder 136 is connected via
`Adjacent its upper end, the tubular member 120 is
`conduits (not shown) to a hydraulic pump 74 of the
`received in a square-shaped central aperture of a circu-
`‘main drive unit 20. As the hydraulic cylinder 136 of the
`lar guide member 122, which is welded to the tubular
`left forward leg assembly 22 is extended, the main frame
`member 120. The guide member122 is closely received
`12 above the leg assembiy 22 is raised, and the tubular
`within the vertical outer cylinder 110 and thus functions
`member 120 is drawn from the vertical outer cylinder
`to position the tubular member 120at the central por-
`110. As the hydraulic cylinder 136 is retracted, the main
`tion of the vertical outer cylinder 110.
`frame 12 is likewise lowered, and the tubular member
`In order to steer the left forward track assembly of
`120is retracted into the vertical outer cylinder 110. The
`the apparatus 10, the tubular member 120 is caused to
`extension and retraction operations just described may
`rotate about its own vertical axis relative to the vertical
`be directed via controls at the operator console 58.
`outer cylinder 110, thus causing turning movement by
`It will be noted that steering of each track assembly,
`the track yoke member 96. Rotational motion of the
`which is controlled by the orientation of the tubular
`tubular member 120 is accomplished via a vertical inner
`member,
`is independent of the elevation of the main
`cylinder 124 having an upper end and a lower end,
`frame 12, which is controlled by the extension of the
`whichis disposed adjacent the lower end ofthevertical
`hydraulic cylinders. Accordingly, changes of the eleva-
`outer cylinder 110. The vertical inner cylinder 124 has
`tion of the main frame 12 of the planer apparatus 10 do
`a diameterslightly less than the wall portion 118 of the
`not cause changesin travel direction, so that steering
`
`40
`
`45
`
`350
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Page 11 of 24
`
`Page 11 of 24
`
`

`

`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`4,325,580
`9
`compensation by the operator is$ not required during
`operation of the planer apparatus 10.
`Theleft rear leg assembly 24 is substantially identical
`to the left forward leg assembly 22 inasmuchas itis
`formed from a vertical outercylinderclosed by an end
`cap and a lower closure member, a vertical inner cylin-
`der, a tubular member, a guide member and an inter-
`nally disposed hydraulic cylinder, all arranged in the
`same manneras the componentsofthe left forward leg
`assembly 22. The major difference betweentheleft rear
`.and the left forwardleg assemblies rests in the replace-
`ment of the steering plate 128 of the left forward leg
`assembly 22 with an adjustment plate 138 in the left rear
`leg assembly 24. The adjustment plate 138, shown in
`FIG.3, features a flange portion 140 engaged about the
`periphery of the tubular member 120 and secured by
`bolts to the bottom ofthe vertical inner cylinder 124
`and the main frame 12 to maintain the adjustmentplate
`138, in a substantially fixed orientation. When the ad-
`justment plate 138 is fixed in this manner, the vertical
`inner cylinder 124 and the tubular member 120 cannot
`rotate with respect to the vertical outer cylinder 110, so
`that the left rear track assembly 18 cannot be turned
`from its forward-facing orientation. The adjustment
`plate 138 thereby assures that apparatus movementsare
`solely controlled and maintained by the steering assem-
`bly connected