Method and apparatus for spreading paving materials

摘要

A method and apparatus for spreading paving materials. A chassis forms a support structure for the spreader and includes a front side facing toward a paving direction, a rear side opposite the front side, a receiving side facing toward a haul road and a far side opposite the receiving side. A receiving conveyor belt extends across the haul road and runs to a central point beneath the chassis, the receiving conveyor belt receives paving materials from delivery trucks traveling along the haul road and transports the paving materials to the central point where the paving materials fall off the receiving conveyor belt and onto a swinging delivery conveyor belt. The delivery conveyor belt includes a first end located at the central point beneath the receiving conveyor belt and extends beyond the rear side of the chassis to a second end of the receiving conveyor belt. The delivery conveyor belt receives paving materials falling off the receiving conveyor belt and transports the paving materials to the second end of the conveyor belt where the paving materials are spread behind the spreader. A swiveling mechanism effectuates the rotation of the first end of the delivery conveyor belt so as to swing the second end of the delivery conveyor belt behind the spreader. A delivery conveyor belt support structure supports the delivery conveyor belt frame from the swiveling mechanism and the chassis.