Abrasive cutter

Abstract

An asphalt cutter that includes a hollow cylindrical body with a plurality of longitudinally aligned, curved teeth evenly spaced apart along the body's lower perimeter edge. The teeth are curved in a forward direction of the normal rotation of the body during use with a hardened carbide edge formed thereon. The teeth are slightly wider in cross-section than the side wall of the cylindrical body. During use, a circular gap is formed in the asphalt which enables a center plug formed therein to be easily removed by utility workers. Attached to the top end of the cylindrical body is a longitudinally aligned hollow neck with a top opening. During assembly, the drive shaft on a hydraulic motor attached to the articulating boom is inserted into the neck. A bolt connects the neck and drive shaft together. In the preferred embodiment, an optional elongated guide flag is longitudinally aligned with the cutter. During operation, the operator watches an arrow indicator printed on the side of the guide flag to maintain the drive shaft and cylindrical body in a vertically aligned position over the asphalt during the cutting process.

1 . An asphalt cutter used with a piece of equipment with an articulating boom and a drive shaft extending from the end of the boom, said asphalt cutter comprising:
 a. a hollow cylindrical body with an upper neck and a lower perimeter edge;   b. a plurality of longitudinally aligned curved teeth evenly spaced apart and attached to said perimeter edge of said cylindrical body, each said tooth bending in the forward direction of rotation and including a hardened, carbide edge formed thereon, each said tooth also being slightly wider in cross-section than the side wall of said cylindrical body; and,   c. means for attaching said cylindrical body to the drive shaft on the articulating boom on the piece of heavy equipment.   
   
   
       2 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said carbide edge has a dual bevel configuration. 
   
   
       3 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein each said teeth is located on the outer surface of said cylindrical body. 
   
   
       4 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 1 , further including a pivoting flag guide attached to the section of the articulating boom adjacent to said cylindrical body. 
   
   
       5 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 1 , each said teeth are welded into a slot formed on said perimeter edge of said cylindrical body. 
   
   
       6 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each said teeth is attached to the outer surface of said cylindrical body. 
   
   
       7 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein each said teeth is attached to the outer surface of said cylindrical body. 
   
   
       8 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 1 , further including a replaceable ring disposed between the perimeter edge of said cylindrical body and said teeth that enable all of said teeth to be replaced on said cylindrical body by replacing said cylindrical ring. 
   
   
       9 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 2 , further including a replaceable ring disposed between the perimeter edge of said cylindrical body. 
   
   
       10 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical body means approximately 9 inches in diameter and 12 inches in length. 
   
   
       11 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 1 , further including at least one longitudinally aligned debris slot formed on said cylindrical body 
   
   
       12 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 2 , further including at least one longitudinally aligned debris slot formed on said cylindrical body 
   
   
       13 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said teeth are wider then the adjacent side walls of said cylindrical body so that a circular groove is formed in the asphalt that is slightly larger that the diameter of said cylindrical body. 
   
   
       14 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said teeth are wider then the adjacent side wall of said cylindrical body so that a circular groove is formed in the asphalt that is slightly larger than same cylindrical body. 
   
   
       15 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 14 , further including a pivoting flag guide attached to the section of the articulating boom adjacent to said cylindrical body. 
   
   
       16 . The asphalt cutter, as recited in  claim 15 , further including at least one longitudinally aligned debris slot formed on said cylindrical body