Drive For A Cutting Or Grinding Machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a drive for a grinding or cutting machine. The drive comprises a body having a drive coupling for receiving at least one drive shaft in a manner so that the or each drive shaft is drivable by the drive. The drive also comprises a mount for mounting the body to a portion of the machine such as to a linkage arm of an earth grinding or cutting vehicle. The drive coupling is arranged to inter-fit with a portion of the or each drive shaft.

1 . A drive for a grinding or cutting machine comprising:
 a body having a drive coupling for receiving at least one drive shaft in a manner so that the or each drive shaft is drivable by the drive and   a mount for mounting the body to a portion of the machine, wherein the drive coupling is arranged to inter-fit with a portion of the or each drive shaft.   
   
   
       2 . The drive as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the drive coupling has a recess for receiving the portion of the or each drive shaft. 
   
   
       3 . The drive as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the drive coupling comprises a clamping mechanism which is arranged to clamp and secure the or each drive shaft. 
   
   
       4 . The drive as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the coupling is arranged so that the position, at which the or each drive shaft is securable, is adjustable. 
   
   
       5 . The drive as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the recess is an elongated hollow portion which has two openings. 
   
   
       6 . The drive as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the hollow portion extends through the body. 
   
   
       7 . The drive as claimed in  claim 6  wherein one drive shaft is in use received by the recess in a manner such that the drive shaft can carry one or more cutting blades or grinding drums at either end of the drive shaft. 
   
   
       8 . The drive as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the or each drive shaft. 
   
   
       9 . The drive as claimed in  claim 5  comprising the or each drive shaft and wherein the drive comprises a first drive shaft and at least one second drive shaft, the first drive shaft having a hollow shaft portion extending along an axis of the first drive shaft, the hollow portion being arranged to receive the or each second drive shaft for securing in the first drive shaft. 
   
   
       10 . The drive as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the first shaft and the or each second drive shaft are arranged to carry at least one blade or drum at an end-portion. 
   
   
       11 . The drive as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the first drive shaft is in use positioned in the hollow portion of the drive coupling and the or each second drive shaft is in use positioned in the hollow shaft portion of the first drive shaft. 
   
   
       12 . The drive as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the hollow shaft portion of the first shaft has two ends and two second drive shafts are receivable by the first drive shaft, one from either end. 
   
   
       13 . The drive as claimed in  claim 10  wherein one second drive shaft extends in use from a side of the body. 
   
   
       14 . The drive as claimed in  claims 10  wherein a further second drive shaft in use extends form an opposite side of the body. 
   
   
       15 . The drive as claimed in  claim 8  wherein one drive shaft carrying at least one blade or drum is in use secured in the drive coupling which is arranged to adjust the position of the or each blade or drum relative to the body. 
   
   
       16 . The drive as claimed in  claim 8  wherein two drive shafts are in use secured in the drive coupling and the drive coupling is arranged to adjust the position of the two of the blades or drums relative to each other. 
   
   
       17 . The drive as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the drive coupling comprises a shrink disk fitted to the body and has an aperture that is shrinkable so that a drive shaft may be secured in the aperture. 
   
   
       18 . The drive as claimed in  claim 5  wherein one drive shaft is in use positioned in the recess of the drive and arranged so that flanges on either side of the drive hold the drive shaft in that position. 
   
   
       19 . The drive as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the flanges are arranged to carry cutting blades or grinding drums. 
   
   
       20 . The drive as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the mount of the body is arranged for mounting to a linkage arm of an earth grinding or cutting machine. 
   
   
       21 . The drive of  claim 8  comprising to opposite sides and two cutting blades or grinding drums, one at either side of the drive. 
   
   
       22 . The drive as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the body is a first body and has a first side portion and an opposite second side portion, and wherein the or each drive shaft is arranged to carry at least one cutting blade or grinding drum spaced from the first side portion and a second body is attachable to the first body at the second side portion and the or each drive shaft is arranged so that, if the second body is not attached, at least one cutting blade or grinding drum can be carried spaced from the second side portion. 
   
   
       23 . The drive as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the second body has a second mount for mounting to a portion of the machine. 
   
   
       24 . The drive as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the second mount of the second body is arranged for mounting to a linkage arm of an earth grinding or cutting machine. 
   
   
       25 . The drive as claimed  claim 1  wherein the machine is a vehicle. 
   
   
       26 . A grinding or cutting machine comprising the drive as claimed in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       27 . The grinding or cutting machine as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the drive is mounted on the linkage arm extending from a body of the machine in a manner so that in use the or each drive shaft extends in a transversal direction relative to direction in which the arm extends from the body of the vehicle. 
   
   
       28 . A method of cutting or grinding rock or hard earth using the drive as claimed in  claims 1 . 
   
   
       29 . A method of forming a trench in hard rock or earth, the trench having a length and the method comprising:
 simultaneously cutting at least two cuts into the hard earth or rock and, after at least portions of the cuts have been completed   removing the hard rock or earth between the completed portions of the cuts.   
   
   
       30 . The method as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the at least two cuts are parallel to each other. 
   
   
       31 . The method as claimed in  claim 29  wherein at least a portion of the hard earth and rock is removed between the completed portions of the cuts while cutting of the cuts continues.