Systems and methods for milling paving material with an isolated actuator

Abstract

A retractable breaker bar is distanced from a cutting head by actuation of a hydraulic ram in a system for grinding material. Slots formed in the breaker bar are isolated from the milling material to prevent milling material from getting lodged in the slots and obstructing actuation of the breaker bar. Pin holes formed in the hatch cover and the housing which can be manually secured at a variety of heights when the holes are aligned to provide for a variety of ram options.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cutting system for grinding material using a retractable breaker bar comprising:
 a cutting head powered by an engine independent from a propulsion engine and having bits attached thereto;   a housing surrounding the cutting head wherein the space between the housing and cutting head comprises a cutting chamber to contain ground material;   a vehicle coupler for coupling of the cutting system to a propulsion vehicle;   a frame on the housing containing a hydraulic ram attached to pins which pass through slots in a plate; and   a breaker bar having diagonal slots formed in the breaker bar through which pass the pins so that retraction and extension of the hydraulic ram alters the distance of the breaker bar from the cutting head and wherein the diagonal slots are isolated from the cutting chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The cutting system of  claim 1  wherein the diagonal slots are formed parallel to the distal edge of the breaker bar. 
     
     
         3 . The cutting system of  claim 1  wherein a collar couples the pin to the housing. 
     
     
         4 . A cutting system for grinding material using a retractable breaker bar comprising:
 a cutting head powered by an engine independent from a propulsion engine and having bits attached thereto;   a housing surrounding the cutting head to contain ground material;   a vehicle coupler for coupling of the cutting system to a propulsion vehicle;   a frame on the housing containing a hydraulic ram attached to pins which pass through slots in a plate; and   a breaker bar having diagonal slots formed therein through which pass the pins so that retraction and extension of the hydraulic ram alters the distance of the breaker bar from the cutting head, wherein the diagonal slots are isolated from the cutting chamber, and wherein the distance between the cutting head and the breaker bar is secured by pins manually placed in the housing that secures the breaker bar to the housing.   
     
     
         5 . The cutting system of  claim 4  wherein the diagonal slots are formed parallel to the distal edge of the breaker bar. 
     
     
         6 . The cutting system of  claim 4  wherein a collar couples the pin to the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The cutting system of  claim 4  further comprising a plurality of receiver slots aligned along the edge of the housing and configured to receive the pin. 
     
     
         8 . The cutting system of  claim 4  further comprising the hydraulic ram is configured to actuate the breaker hatch to align a hole configured to receive a pin in the breaker hatch with one of a plurality of holes in the housing configured to receive a pin. 
     
     
         9 . A cutting system for grinding material using a retractable breaker bar comprising:
 a cutting head powered by an engine independent from a propulsion engine and having bits attached thereto;   a housing surrounding the cutting head wherein the space between the housing and cutting head comprises a cutting chamber to contain ground material;   a vehicle coupler for coupling of the cutting system to a propulsion vehicle;   a frame on the housing containing a hydraulic ram attached to pins which pass through slots in a plate; and   a breaker bar having diagonal slots formed therein through which pass the pins so that retraction and extension of the hydraulic ram alters the distance of the breaker bar from the cutting head, and wherein the distance between the cutting head and the breaker bar is secured by pins manually placed in the housing that secures the breaker bar to the housing.   
     
     
         10 . The cutting system of  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of receiver slots aligned along the edge of the housing and configured to receive the pin. 
     
     
         11 . The cutting system of  claim 9  further comprising the hydraulic ram is configured to actuate the breaker hatch to align a hole configured to receive a pin in the breaker hatch with one of a plurality of holes in the housing configured to receive a pin.