Grading apparatus for grading a surface

Abstract

The present invention relates to a grading apparatus ( 10, 210 ) comprising an elongate support arm assembly ( 12, 212 ) having a mount ( 16, 216 ) at one end for attachment to a vehicle ( 100 ), and a grading blade ( 14, 214 ) attached to the opposing end of the support arm assembly. The grading blade can be positioned outwardly of the vehicle to grade a surface beside the vehicle as the vehicle moves forward.

1 . A grading apparatus comprising:
 an elongate support arm assembly having a mount at one end for attachment to a vehicle, and   a grading blade attached to the opposing end of the support arm assembly,   wherein the grading blade can be positioned outwardly of the vehicle to grade a surface beside the vehicle as the vehicle moves forward.   
   
   
       2 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support arm assembly can be positioned such that the grading blade is disposed outside the track of the vehicle. 
   
   
       3 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support arm assembly can be rotated about a first axis with respect to the mount. 
   
   
       4 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the grading blade can be moved between a lowered position and an elevated position. 
   
   
       5 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the mount comprises an attachment assembly that includes a shaft that defines the first axis, the support arm assembly being rotatable about the shaft. 
   
   
       6 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising a first actuator to control the rotational position of the support arm assembly about the first axis. 
   
   
       7 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the first actuator is a linear actuator that extends between a mounting bracket on the vehicle and a bracket provided on the support arm assembly. 
   
   
       8 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein support arm assembly further comprises a telescoping section such that the length of the support arm assembly can be adjusted. 
   
   
       9 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a second actuator within the support arm assembly to facilitate movement of the telescoping section. 
   
   
       10 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the support arm assembly can also be rotated about a second axis with respect to the mount. 
   
   
       11 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the second axis is substantially orthogonal to the first axis. 
   
   
       12 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the support arm assembly can be rotated by at least 15° about the second axis. 
   
   
       13 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the support arm assembly can be rotated by at least 20° about the second axis. 
   
   
       14 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the mount comprises an attachment assembly that includes a pivot pin that defines the second axis, the support arm assembly being rotatable about the pivot pin. 
   
   
       15 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising a third actuator to control the rotational position of the support arm assembly about the second axis. 
   
   
       16 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the third actuator is a linear actuator. 
   
   
       17 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the grading blade is of quadrilateral shape. 
   
   
       18 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the width of the face of the grading blade increases towards the outer end. 
   
   
       19 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the grading blade further comprises a replaceable cutting edge. 
   
   
       20 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support arm assembly is connected to the grading blade close to the lower edge of the grading blade. 
   
   
       21 . A grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support arm assembly further comprises an elongate arm that extends between the mount of the support arm assembly and a stabilizing arm that intersects the elongate arm to provide lateral support to the elongate arm. 
   
   
       22 . A vehicle comprising the grading apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       23 . A vehicle according to  claim 22 , further comprising a front mounted bucket, and the grading apparatus is mounted to a rear surface of the bucket