Apparatus for adapting a hoe bucket for depth control

1. A kit for modifying a digging bucket for controlling the depth cut, comprising:

an elongated member operationally connectable to a hoe bucket defining a cutting edge;

an actuator operationally connectable to the elongated member;

an electronic controller operationally connectable to the actuator;

a position sensor operationally connectable to the cutting edge and operationally connectable to the electronic controller;

wherein the actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground; and

wherein positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the actuator further comprises a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic cylinder connected in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic pump; wherein the hydraulic cylinder is operationally connectable to the elongated member.

3. The kit of claim 1 wherein the actuator further comprises a pneumatic pump and a pneumatic cylinder connected in pneumatic communication with the pneumatic pump; wherein the pneumatic cylinder is operationally connected to the elongated member.

4. The kit of claim 1 wherein the position sensor is a GPS transceiver.

5. A kit for automatically preventing overdigging with a mechanical shovel, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a sensor operationally connectable to the microprocessor for measuring the position of a shovel bucket relative to grade;

a movable interrupt bar operationally connectable to the shovel bucket for blocking the shovel bucket; and

an actuator for moving the interrupt bar operationally connectable to the microprocessor and to the interrupt bar;

wherein the microprocessor is programmable with predetermined desired grade parameters;

wherein the microprocessor is programmable to compare a measured bucket position to programmed grade parameters; and

wherein the microprocessor is programmable to send a signal to the actuator to move the interrupt bar between the shovel bucket and ground when the shovel bucket begins to exceed programmed grade parameters.

6. The kit of claim 5 wherein the interrupt bar is pivotably connectable to the bucket.

7. The kit of claim 5 wherein the sensor is a GPS transceiver.

8. The kit of claim 5 wherein the interrupt bar is a generally cylindrical member pivotably connectable to the shovel bucket.