Shoe mechanism for an excavating wheel and associated method

Abstract

A shoe mechanism adapted for use on a dredging apparatus ( ) to remove silt from under the surface of a body of water and associated method, the dredging apparatus being operative in both a forward and reverse direction of travel and including an excavating wheel assembly ( ), the shoe mechanism including a pair of outer shoe assemblies ( ) pivotally connected to the wheel frame assembly ( ), one of the shoe assemblies being located adjacent a portion of the wheel assembly ( ) on the leading side thereof and one of the shoe assemblies being located adjacent a portion of the wheel assembly ( ) on the trailing side thereof, each of the outer shoe assemblies ( ) being pivotally movable between an operative position wherein the shoe assembly is positioned adjacent the outermost circumference ( ) of the wheel assembly ( ) between the silt bed and a point above the water level, and a retracted position wherein the shoe assembly is spaced from the outermost circumference ( ) of the wheel assembly ( ), one of the outer shoe assemblies being positioned in its operative position and the other shoe assembly being positioned in its retracted position during a dredging operation. Each outer shoe assembly may likewise include a latching mechanism ( ) for holding the shoe assembly in its operative position and a release mechanism ( ) operative to permit the shoe assembly to pivot a sufficient distance away from the excavating wheel assembly ( ) when in its operative position in the event that a foreign object becomes trapped between the excavating wheel assembly ( ) and the shoe assembly ( ).