US3119193A

US3119193A - Earth moving machine

Info

Publication number: US3119193A
Application number: US141694A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eli D Herschberger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-09-29
Filing date: 1961-09-29
Publication date: 1964-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1981-01-28

Description

1964 E. D. HERSCHBERGER 3,119,193

EARTH MOVING MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

Ell 0. Herscfiberger 1N VEN TOR.

Jan. 28, 1964 Filed Sept. 29, 1961 E. D. HERSCHBERGER EARTH MOVING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 i F /g. 4 "4 I /8 a a ll8 58 we as /22 I 0 E /i 0. Herschb erger I INVENTOR. B M

' Y Mm, 25m

Jan. 28, 1964 E. D. HERSCHBERGER 3,119,193

EARTH MOVING MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 E D. Hersc/zbergeyr IN VENTOR.

Jan. 28, 1964 E. D. HERSCHBERGER 3,119,193

EARTH MOVING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept 29, 1961 Eli 0. herschberger IN VLNTOR.

BY and 5. Man.

A Home]:

Ja 8, 1 E. D. HERSCHBERGER 3, 3

EARTH MOVING MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 E If D. Herschberger IN VEN TOR. @614. .BY 24 Attorney:

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EARTH MOVING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 29, 1961 QNN E l1 0. Herscfiberger INVENTOR BY Hm,

United States Patent Oil-ice 3,119,193 Patented Jan. 28, 19564 3,119,193 EARTH MQVllNG MACHINE Eli ll). Herschherger, RR. 2, Arthur, Ill. Filed Sept. 29, 196i, Ser. No. 141,694 11 Claims. (Cl. 37-143) This invention comprises a novel and useful earth moving machine and more particularly relates to a device adapted to afford the operator a much more sensitive and precise control of the earth moving elements of the machine in order to effect and facilitate a superior sensitivity in the deposition of the material moved by the apparatus.

Basically, the apparatus in accordance with the present invention consists of a powered machine such as a tractor having adjustably mounted upon the front end thereof a transversely extending scoop or shovel blade by means of which earth or other material is pushed in front of and is piled during forward movement of the apparatus, together with the transversely extending rotating auger mounted in the scoop and which conveys the earth or other material laterally of the scoop for discharge at one side thereof. The machine of this character, in accordance with the present invention is provided with improved power operating means for selectively lifting or lowering the entire scoop and anger assembly, together with additional means which are power operated for selectively raising or lowering one end of the scoop and auger assembly either while the lifting and lowering means is inoperative or is in operation. There are further provided improvements in the power supplying means and in the control system for the scoop and auger assembly which enable the tractor power plant to propel the device at considerably varied different speed ratios with respect to a substantially constant speed of rotation of the auger.

It is therefore the primary purpose of this invention to provide an earth moving apparatus which will enable power operated means to both push the earth upon forward travel of the apparatus and independently convey the earth laterally thereof to a discharge at one side of the apparatus.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a device in accordance with the foregoing objects which will afford a very sensitive and highly adjustable control and adjustment during operation of both the vertical elevation of the scoop and auger assembly as well as a control of the tilting of the latter about the horizontal axis center line of the device.

Yet another purpose of the invention is to provide a device in accordance with the foregoing objects which will afford a very wide range of speed ratios between the speed of travel of the apparatus and the rotational speed of the auger.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in accordance with the preceding objects in which the sensitivity and the rapidity of vertical and tilting adjustment or" the apparatus shall be greatly facilitated by a balancing of the weight of the auger.

Yet another important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which the scoop and auger assembly are so positioned with respect to the operator that the latter will have unusually good visibility at all times of the position of the scoop during its operation thereby enabling the operator to make instantaneous, precise and rapid adjustments of the scoop and auger.

An additional important object of the invention is to provide an improved means for removably assembling and journaling the auger in the scoop component of the apparatus.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a device having improved mounting means to facilitate tilting of the scoop about a transverse axis during the raising and lowering of the scoop by the power operating means therefor, and whereby the mounting and operation of the scoop will in no way interfere with the continuous application of driving power to the auger for effecting rotation of the latter.

And a further important object of the invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide an earth moving machine of a general purpose utility especially adapted for use by small contractors and others required to do odd jobs such as street grading, filling excavations and the like.

And a final object is to provide an earth moving apparatus utilizing the traction power of the apparatus to move material forwardly by a transversely extending scraper blade and to simultaneously discharge the material laterally of the blade by a power operated auger mounted upon the latter together with a pair of relatively adjustable supports for the blade and auger assembly capable of effecting upward or downward tilting of one end of the blade relative to the other while enabling either independent or joint selective lifting and lowering of the entire blade and auger assembly.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view with a portion shown in horizontal section of a suitable form of apparatus incorporating therein the principles of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, certain parts being broken away to show further structural details of the device;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary detail view in plan illustrating a portion of the gear shift control means of the power drive mechanism of the device;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the broken section line 4-4 of FIGURE 2 and showing in particular certain details of the pivotal mounting of the scoop and auger, the counterbalancing of the same and the power driving means thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus taken from the other side from that indicated in FIGURE 2 and illustrating in particular the power operating means for raising and lowering the scoop and auger assembly;

FIGURE 6 is a detail view taken in vertical section substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 66 of FIGURE 1 and showing further details of the mechanism for raising and lowering the scoop and auger assembly;

FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view of the apparatus showing in particular the scoop and auger assembly thereof;

FIGURE 8 is a rear elevational View of the scope and auger assembly of FIGURE 7, being taken upon an enlarged scale with parts being shown in vertical transverse section;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged detail view taken in vertical section substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 99 of FIGURE 8 and showing further details of the vertical adjusting means of the scoop and auger assembly;

FIGURE 10 is a detail view in vertical section taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 1iil of FIGURE 9 and showing further details of the vertical adjusting and mounting means;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective detail view of the vertical adjustment mounting means of the scoop and auger;

FIGURE 12 is a further perspective detail view, similar to FIGURE 11 but with parts omitted, of the vertical adjustment mounting means;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a component of the vertical adjusting mounting means and which is shown removed from the device of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a further detail view in vertical section of a visual gauge comprising another portion of the invention and is taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 1414 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view, parts being broken away, and indicating the mounting of the power transmission units and their control means in accordance with this invention; I 7

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical transverse section illustrating the rock shaft mounting forming a part of the vertical adjusting means of the scoop and anger assembly together with the mounting of the same;

FIGURE 17 is a further detail view of the rock shaft mounting taken in vertical transverse section substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 17-17 of FIG- URE 15;

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of a slight modification;

FIGURE 19 is a detail view in vertical section taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 19-19 of FIGURE 18; and

FIGURE 20 is a detail view of a further modification, taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 20-20 of FIGURE 18.

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral designates generally any suitable form of tractor to which the scoop and auger assembly indicated generally at 12 is mounted and from which this assembly is powered. The scoop and auger assembly is disposed forwardly of the tractor and is fixedly but adjustably secured thereto in such a manner that upon forward movement of the tractor, the scoop and auger assembly may be both vertically adjusted and tilted with respect to its transverse horizontal axis in order to position the scoop and the auger at the desired inclination with respect to the mass of earth or other material which is to be moved by the device. During forward movement of the apparatus the scoop will push the material forwardly, piling it up within the region of the scoop while the continuously rotating auger component of the device will continuously convey the piled up material to be discharged at one side of the device.

Inasmuch as the tractor may be of conventional design, a detailed description of the same is deemed to be unnecessary except for certain specific conventional elements and components thereof referred to hereinafter, while the conventional power plant of the tractor, not shown, is utilized to effect both travel of the tractor and supply the power for effecting rotation of the auger at various selected speed ratios therebetween.

The scoop component of the device consists of a transversely elongated arcuate blade 14 extending across the entire width of the tractor and beyond both sides thereof, which blade is provided with a cutting lip or cutting edge 16 at the bottom end thereof as shown best in FIG- URE 9. Rotatably journaled in suitable support structure of the scoop or blade 14 is the auger 18. As shown in the cutaway portion at 20 in FIGURE 7, the blade or spiral flights 22 of the auger are at a slight inclination such that they will tend to lift the earth or material being moved by the auger rather than pack down or compress the same. For this purpose, of course, the auger will rotate in one direction, this being a clockwise direction as viewed from the right end of FIGURE 7.

In a manner to be subsequently set forth, the shaft of the auger is journaled at its opposite ends in the scoop blade 14 with one end of the auger extending beyond the scoop and into a chain gear drive casing 24 by means of which the power for rotating the auger is supplied.

The scoop and auger assembly 12 is supported from the tractor by a three point suspension, consisting of a pair of lower support arms each designated by the numeral 26, together with an upper or stabilizing arm 28. This arm arrangement will be more readily apparent from a consideration of FIGURES 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8.

The lower suppport arms 26 are pivoted as at 30 to a suitable portion of the framework of the tractor 10 at one end of each, and at their other ends are secured as by universal or swiveling connections 32 to mounting brackets indicated generally by the numeral 34 upon the rear and lower portion of the scoop 14. The upper portion of the rear face of the scoop 14 and preferably adjacent the mid-portion thereof is connected to the stabilizing arm 28, which arm is likewise secured to a portion of the framework of the tractor as at 36 as shown in FIGURE 4. The stabilizing arm 28 preferably comprises two telescoping rods, which thereby are of variable length to compensate for the lifting and lowering of the scoop and anger assembly 12 by the lift arms 26.

As will be appreciated, any suitable lost motion connection will be provided at the pivotal connection of the lower support arms 26 to the assembly to allow for the desired tilting of the assembly thereon.

Referring now especially to FIGURES 2, 4, 6, 15-17, it will be noted that the tractor includes a pair of longitudinal side frame members 38 which are of channel beam construction, and between which is secured a hollow shaft or dead axle 40, see FIGURE 17, upon which is rotatably mounted as by bearing assemblies 42 a hollow rocker shaft 44. For this purpose, the removable mounting plate 46 is secured in slots 47 in the channel members 38 as by fastening bolts 48 and carries an inwardly projecting stub axle 50 which is received in and supports the ends of the dead axle 40. Thus, the axle 40 and the rocker shaft 44 may be readily removably secured between the frame members of the tractor at the front end thereof.

Secured to and projecting radially from the two opposite ends of the rocker shaft 44 are angularly disposed

lever arms

52 and 54. The arm 52 is apertured and connected to tension spring 56 which as shown in FIGURE 15 is anchored to a suitable apertured anchor lug 58 carried by any convenient portion of the tractor. The tension spring 56 is adjustably anchored as by the adjusting nuts 59, see FIGURE 4, so that an adjustable counterbalancing torque can be applied to the rocker shaft. The lever arms 54 in turn are each pivotally connected as at 60 to a lifting link 62 whose lower end is pivoted as at 64 to the lift arm 26. Thus, upon rotation or oscillation of the rocker shaft 44, the lift arms 26 and thus the scoop and auger assembly can be selectively lifted or lowered.

In order to impart rocking movement to the rocker shaft 44, there is secured thereto a bifurcated lug 66, see FIGURE 16, to which is pivoted at 68 the piston rod 70 of a fluid pressure operating cylinder unit 72, see FIGURE 4, and which is suitably secured to the framework of the tractor. As will be appreciated, the cylinder unit 72 is connected to the hydraulic power take-off of the tractor so that upon actuation of the unit 72, the piston rod 70 thereof may be positively moved in either direction to thereby rock the shaft 44 to effect raising or lowering of the scoop and auger assembly as desired.

As will be more readily apparent from a consideration of FIGURES 2, 5, 8 and 9, there is provided a further hydraulically operated cylinder and piston unit 74 those lower end is pivotally secured to one of the lift arms 26, and whose upper end is secured to a mounting bracket 76 at the upper backside of the scoop blade 14, as shown in FIGURE 8. This hydraulic operating means is likewise connected in any suitable manner, not shown, to the hydraulic power take-off of the tractor so that upon energization of the same one side of the scoop and auger assembly can be raised or lowered with respect to the associated lift arm 26, and with the other side of the assembly having a swiveling motion upon the other lift arm 25 to thereby tilt upwardly or downwardly the scoop and auger assembly with respect to the horizontal transversely extending axis. It will be noted that owing to the mounting of the scoop and auger assembly inwardly from its extremities, the lifting of one side or end thereof will cause a corresponding slight downward movement of the other side or end. Although the invention is not limited thereto, it has been found to be extremely satisfactory to provide for range of movement of about 30 between the upmost tilted position and the lowermost tilted position.

As so far described it will now be understood that by raising or lowering the lift arms by the cylinder 72 and rock shaft 44 the entire scoop and anger assembly may be raised or lowered to any desired vertical position, while independently thereof and simultaneously therewith if desired, the tilting power unit 74 may be energized to effect the desired tilting movement of the assembly. Thus, the scoop and auger assembly may be very precisely positioned with regard to the surface to be scraped or graded and the material to be moved in order to effect to a nicety the desired moving operation.

The present invention involves an improved construction of mounting bracket 34 to effect the desired tilting movement of the scoop and auger assembly. For consideration of the structure and operation of this mounting bracket and the associated connections therewith, attention is now directed particularly to FIGURES 9l3. As shown in FIGURE 8 the rear face of the scoop blade 14 is provided with a pair of vertically extending reinforcing or stiffening bars 80 which are welded thereto and extend from the top to the bottom edge of the blade. Secured to and projecting laterally from the sides of the reinforcing bars 80 and welded thereto are brackets 82 and $4. The lift arms 26 are received within these brackets and are swiveled thereto by pivot pins 32 for the bracket 82 and a further pivot pin 86 for the bracket 84. Associated with the bracket 82 is a sliding bracket to which is coupled the tilting cylinder 74. This sliding bracket, as will be seen by particular reference to FIGURES 11 and 13, is of U-shaped construction and is indicated generally by the numeral 90, consisting of a pair of

plates constituting legs

92 and 94 which are joined by a web 96. One of the legs such as the leg 92 is provided with an upwardly extending guide member 98, while both of the legs are provided with aligned apertures 100 in which is received the previously mentioned pin 32. From the upper surface of the web 96 projects an apertured lug 102 in which is received and to which is connected the tilt cylinder 74 by a pivot pin 104.

As will now be best apparent from FIGURES l0 and 11, in conjunction with FIGURE 8, it will be noted that the

legs

92 and 94 of the sliding bracket 90 straddle the stationary mounting bracket 82 and embrace this bracket and the associated reinforcing barv In this relation, the pivot pin 32 which is fixedly carried by the bracket 90 is slidably received in vertically elongated slots 1G6 and 1% which are formed in the bracket 82 and in the reinforcing bar 80 so that the sliding bracket 90 is secured to the mounting bracket 82 and to the assocated reinforcing bar 39 for guided vertical sliding movement relative thereto. The guide member 98 of the sliding bracket is slidably received in a guide bushing 110 suitably secured to the rear face of the scoop blade 14 as will be apparent from FIGURES 9 and 11.

It will be further observed that there is provided a further vertically extending guide block 112 which is welded to the bracket 82 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 12 to provide a guiding surface against which the rear face of the plate 92 slidingly abuts. This tends to reduce wear of the pivot pin 32 of the sliding bracket in the slots M6, 168 of the stationary bracket 82.

As so far described it will now be apparent that operation of the lift arms 26 will through the connection of the latter with the bracket 84 and with the sliding bracket 90 raise or lower these brackets. The bracket 84 being direct- 1y connected to the scoop blade will thus lift or lower its portion of the scoop blade directly, while the sliding bracket will through its connection to the lug 102, the tilting cylinder 74 and the lug 76 in turn lift or lower its end of the scoop blade. However, adjustment of the tilting cylinder will vary the relative tilting support of the scoop blade upon the lift arms independently of the lifting or lowering of the same.

The drive means for rotating the auger 18 is mounted upon the rear face of the scoop blade 14. Referring now to FIGURES 1, 4, 6 and 8 it will be seen that there is provided upon one end of the auger blade, in addition to the housing 24, a further housing 114. Disposed adjacent the mid portion of the upper part of the back surface of the scoop blade 14 is a mounting bracket 116. A further mounting bracket 11.8 is disposed in parallel relation to the bracket 11d. Journaled between the brackets 116 and 118 is a conventional automotive rear end differential gear unit 12% in which is secured the power output end of a drive shaft 122 while within this differential unit mating bevel gears, not shown, connect the input shaft with a lay shaft or power output shaft 124. The latter in turn is journaled in the other housing 114, where through a sprocket chain drive 126 it transmits power to a further sprocket chain drive 1255 which latter imparts rotation to the auger. These chain drives constitute a reduction gearing assembly.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 4 and with reference to FIGURES 15 and 16, it will be understood that the power input shaft is connected by universal joint coupling to a driving shaft 136 which latter derives its power from the tractor engine as set forth hereinafter. It will be apparent that by this universal joint connection, the supply of power to the auger is not interrupted by either lifting or lowering of the scoop and auger assembly by the lift arms and the associated mechanism or by the tilting of the same.

Referring now especially to FIGURE 15 in conjunction with FIGURE 4 it will now be appreciated that power from the engine is delivered through a series of conventional serially connected change speed transmission units. The engine first delivers power to the first transmission unit 132, then by a connecting shaft 134 to the second transmission unit 136, and from the latter by a connecting shaft 138 to the third transmission unit 140.

From the last mentioned unit, a driving connection such as a sprocket chain drive 142 disposed in a housing or casing 144 supplies power directly to the wheels of the tractor in a conventional manner, Well understood and not shown. Each of the transmissions is individually adjustable by the usual

gear shift levers

146, 148 and i). Conveniently, although the invention is not limited thereto, the transmission 132, provides five speed ratios, while each of the units 1% and 14% provides four speed ratios as diagrammatically suggested in FIGURE 3. It will be apparent that for any one of five different speed ratios supplied by the engine to the shaft 134, the unit we will in turn permit the use of any one of four different speed ratios to be applied to the shaft 138, while the transmission unit will in turn additionally afiiord four further output speed ratios for any input speed to impart through gearing 142 to the Wheels of the vehicle. Thus a wide variety of speed ranges is afforded for the vehicle for a given constant speed of rotation of the vehicle engine. For example, the speed of the vehicle may range between three feet per minute to 45 miles per hours in order to accommodate the speed of the vehicle most effectively to the operation of the auger in the moving of earth for various purposes.

From the rst transmission unit 132 as shown in FIG- URE 4 there is provided a power takeoff housing 152 to which the power drive shaft 13% is connected. The output housing 152 has therein a coupling to the first transmission unit 132 such that the speed limit of the shaft 138 is directly proportional to the speed of rotation delivered into the first transmission unit and is not effected by any change in the speed of ratios of the power output from the first transmission unit. Thus, for a given engine speed, although wide variation is possible in the vehicle speed, a constant speed of rotation of the anger is maintained. This auger speed is selected in order to obtain the most efiicient operation of the auger itself, which efficiency of operation lies in a relatively narrow range of rotation.

Referring again more specifically to FIGURE it will be observed that the power drive shaft 130 has its forward end journaled in a suitable journal bearing 154 and is connected by universal joint 156 to a pair of telescoping axially slidable but relatively non-rotatable shaft sections 158 and 161). The shaft 160, in turn, is connected by universal joint to the previously mentioned shaft 122 of the differential unit 120. Thus, compensation is made for angular tilting of the scoop and auger assembly as well as the lifting and lowering of the same.

A convenient control means is provided whereby the operator of the device from the drivers seat at the front end of the tractor may selectively actuate any of the control levers of the three transmission units. Again referring to FIGURE 15 it will be seen that there are provided the manually operated

control levers

162, 164 and 166, each mounted upon suitable support brackets upon the floor of the tractor, and being connected by

control links

168, 176 and 172 to the three

transmission levers

146, 148 and 150 previously mentionedA Thus, the driver at all times can regulate the speed of the vehicle to accommodate the machine to the particular conditions under which it is to operate.

In order to facilitate accurate manipulation of the scoop and auger assembly as to vertical and tilting adjustment of the same, there is provided a visual gauge means mounted thereon. For this purpose, referring to FIG- URES 6 and 14, it will be seen there is mounted a transersely extending hollow member 174 across the top edge of the scoop blade 14 and at about the mid portion thereof. Received in this member is a block of rubber or other material 176 in which is embedded a pointer rod 178 projecting upwardly therefrom. Since this pointer rod is fixedly secured to the scoop blade, it is evident that raising or lowering of the scoop blade and tilting of the same will correspondingly shift the position of the gauge rod, the tilting adjustment being indicated as shown by a comparison of full and dotted line positions of the rod in FIGURE 14. As will be seen, the blade may be tilted without varying its pitch or suction angle.

Reference is now made to FIGURES l8 and 19 which disclose a somewhat simpler combined elevating and tilting mechanism for the scoop and auger assembly falling within the basic concept of this invention and which may be employed advantageously in certain environments.

The tractor 10 having the slotted frame members 38 has a rocker shaft 234 journaled thereon with the

lever arms

52 and 54 as previously described. However, the same construction of scoop and auger assembly 12 previously disclosed is adjustably mounted in a modified manher. To the transverse tractor frame member 41 is secured a bracket 43 comprising the anchor lug of the previously mentioned stabilizing arm 28 attached to the scoop 14.

An actuating hydraulically operated cylinder and piston unit 200 has its cylinder 202 pivoted at 204 to an L-shaped bracket 206 secured to the frame member 41 and projecting rearwardly and downwardly therefrom. The piston rod 208 of the unit 200 is pivoted at 210 to a lever arm 212 which is fixed to and depends from the rocker shaft 234. This provides for a compact mounting of the hydraulic actuating means beneath the rocker shaft.

The lower support arms 26 are each pivoted at 30 to .the tractor frame as previously described and are swivelly pivoted to the blade 14. However, the two rigid links 62 and the tilting cylinder mechanism previously described .are replaced by asingle rigid link 62 and an adjustable 8 link 220. The adjustable link includes a hydraulically operated cylinder 222 pivoted to the lift arm 26 at 224 and having its piston rod 226 pivoted at 228 to the other of the levers 54.

Operating connections, conduits and controls, not shown, connect the cylinders 202 and 222 to the tractor hydraulic power take-off. In this form of the invention the cylinder unit 229 is operated to give any desired upward or downward tilt to the blade 14 about its swiveling connection to the lift arm 26 to which the rigid link 62 is connected. The cylinder 202 operates the rocker shaft 234 to lift or lower the scoop. Thus, the tilting can be effected either independently of or in conjunction with the elevating of the scoop as in the preceding form, but the tilting unit is incorporated into the elevating mecha nism as a part thereof.

As set forth above, this modification may be employed with the rocker shaft construction as disclosed and described in connection with FIGURES 15-17. It may be preferred, however, to utilize the somewhat simplified form shown in detail in FIGURES 19 and 20.

The side frame members 38 have the usual slot 47 into which is slidably received the journal boxes 239 carrying the bearing assemblies 232 in which is rotatably supported the end portions of a single solid or tubular shaft 234, retained as by any suitable fastener as a collar 236. The shaft 234 has the

same arms

52, 54, 212 as previously described.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An earth moving machine comprising a tractor, a scoop and auger assembly including a scoop blade and a spiral auger journaled upon said blade, means adjustably mounting said assembly upon said tractor, said assembly extending transversely and in front of the tractor, means for vertically lifting said assembly, power operated means for tilting said assembly about a horizontal axis disposed longitudinally of the machine while the pitch of said blade remains constant, drive means connecting the tractor power plant to said auger for rotating the latter at a constant speed independently of varying speeds of the tractor.

2. The combination of claim 1 including a pair of power operated lift arms mounted upon the tractor for vertical swinging movement, means pivotally connecting said lift arms to said scoop blade, said tilting means being connected to one of said lift arms and to one portion only of said blade.

3. The combination of claim 1 including a pair of power operated lift arms mounted upon the tractor for vertical swinging movement, means pivotally connecting said lift arms to said scoop blade, said lift arms being pivoted to said blade at spaced locations intermediate the ends of said blade whereby to cause the opposite ends of the blade to tilt in opposite directions upon operation of said tilting means.

4. An earth moving machine comprising a tractor, a scoop and anger assembly including a scoop blade and a spiral auger journaled upon said blade, means adjustably mounting said assembly upon said tractor, said assembly extending transversely and in front of the tractor, means for vertically lifting said assembly, power operated means for tilting said assembly about a horizontal axis disposed longitudinally of the machine while the pitch of said blade remains constant, drive means connecting the tractor power plant to said auger for rotating the latter at a constant speed for varying speeds of the tractor, said drive means including sprocket reduction gearing connecting said auger to said power plant.

5. An earth moving apparatus comprising a scoop blade, means supporting said scoop blade for movement along a path of travel with said blade lying transversely of said path of travel, lift means carried by said support means and secured to said blade for lifting and lowering the latter, tilting means connected to one of said lift means and to said blade for tilting the latter about another of said lift means, an auger rotationally mounted upon and disposed parallel to said blade, means for driving said auger, a lost motion connection between said blade and said one lift means.

6. The combination of claim wherein said connection comprises a stationary bracket secured to said blade, a sliding bracket fixedly secured to said first lift means, means slidingly and guidingly retaining said sliding bracket on said fixed bracket.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the last mentioned means comprises a pin pivotally connecting said first lift means and said sliding bracket, and guide slots in said stationary bracket slidably receiving said pin.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said sliding bracket and said stationary bracket are relatively slidably and embracingly engaged.

9. The combination of claim 8 including additional guide means and said blade slidably engaging said sliding bracket.

10. An earth moving machine comprising a transversely extending scoop and auger assembly and means supporting said assembly for forward movement over the ground,

said assembly including a scoop blade having a concave auger upon said blade for rotation about a stationary axis disposed forwardly of said face, said auger being disposed to discharge material collected by said blade to the side thereof, means connected to said auger for effecting rotation thereof independently of the movement of said blade over the ground, adjusting means connected to said blade and to said support for effecting tilting without varying the pitch of said blade and of the auger carried thereby, a source of power, power transmission means connecting said source of power to said support means for effecting travel of the latter over the ground and to said auger rotating means for effecting rotation of said auger.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said auger rotating means includes a gear casing mounted upon the rear face of said blade, gearing inside said casing and drive means connecting said gearing to one end of said auger outwardly beyond the end of said blade.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,677,342 Hodgen July 17, 1928 2,109,393 Le Bleu Feb. 22, 1938 2,464,003 Stadler Mar. 8, 1949 2,503,408 Phillips Apr. 11, 1950 2,827,717 Duke et al. Mar. 25, 1958 2,839,849 Christensen et a1 June 24, 1958 2,950,550 French Aug. 30, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 569,851 Canada Feb. 3, 1959