Apparatus for adapting a hoe bucket for depth control
View Patent ↗A kit for modifying a digging bucket for controlling the depth cut, including 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, and a position sensor operationally connectable to the cutting edge and operationally connectable to the electronic controller. The actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground. Positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground.
1. A kit for modifying a digging bucket for precision control, comprising:
a housing for connection to the bottom of a digging bucket;
an elongated member disposed in the housing and operationally connectable to a digging bucket defining a cutting edge;
an actuator operationally connectable to the elongated member;
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 and further comprising:
an electronic controller operationally connectable to the actuator; and
a position sensor operationally connectable to the cutting edge and operationally connectable to the electronic controller.
3. The kit of claim 2 wherein the position sensor includes a GPS transceiver.
4. The kit of claim 2 wherein the actuator includes a hydraulic pump operationally connected to the electronic controller and a hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to the elongated member and to the hydraulic pump.
5. A kit for modifying a digging bucket, comprising:
a housing for connection to the bottom of a digging bucket;
an elongated member positioned in the housing and operationally connectable to a digging bucket;
an actuator operationally connectable to the elongated member;
wherein the actuator may be energized to move the elongated member to a position preventing the digging bucket from engaging ground.