ACCESSORY FOR EXCAVATION OF A DITCH AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract

Implementations of the accessory and associated methods allow for excavation of a ditch, wherein rotating grating means are used for expelling rubble and form a ditch. The accessory includes grating means which are moved with respect to the ditch to ensure contacting of the grating means with the road and alignment of a rotation axis of the grating means with the ditch axis. The ditch is progressively excavated when the grating means are rotated and displaced along the ditch axis. The grating means may be connectable to a mobile device through an arm assembly configured to controllably move the grating means from the mobile device. The accessory may be used for connection to a mining device for excavating the ditch along the road of an underground mining tunnel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to ditch excavation techniques, and more particularly to an accessory for excavation of a ditch along a road.

BACKGROUND

Ditches are created to provide excess water drainage to roadsides or fields. They can be useful during exploitation of an agricultural site, a mining site or a landfill for example. In particular, tunnels in underground mines are built to include a ditch on the side of their pathways. With the comings and goings of the trucks and loaders in the tunnels, the ditches can become buried under rubble, thereby preventing excess water from being drained.

Known ways to clean or excavate the ditches include using a backhoe loader or digger which shovels the rubble to clear or reconstruct the ditch, as seen on FIG. 12. Because of the configuration of the backhoe loader, the loader has to be placed perpendicularly to the ditch while shoveling and does not provide an even ditch cleaning along the road. In addition, the ditch-cleaning operation is very time-consuming, thereby blocking the mining operations for the same amount of time.

There is thus a need for techniques that overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of what is known in the field of ditch excavation.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, there is provided an accessory for excavation of a ditch along a road, the accessory being mountable on a mobile device. The accessory includes a grating assembly comprising a rotor having a rotation axis, and a plurality of grating members projecting outwardly from an external surface of the rotor and configured for expelling rubble from the ditch. The accessory further includes an arm assembly, connected to the grating assembly, which comprises a base movably connectable to the mobile device. Movement of the base with respect to the mobile device allows the connected grating assembly to contact the road. The arm assembly further comprises an elongated arm having a proximal end and a distal end. The arm assembly further comprises an arm pivot assembly, the proximal end of the arm being connected to the base by the arm pivot assembly for enabling pivoting of the arm with respect to the base, so as to align the rotation axis of the rotor of the grating assembly with a ditch axis. The arm assembly also comprises rotating means cooperating with the distal end of the arm and further engaging the rotor of the grating assembly to enable rotation thereof with respect to the arm assembly, so as to excavate the ditch upon displacement of the mobile device along the ditch axis.

In some implementations, the arm pivot assembly may include an arm pivot member and a hydraulic cylinder, the arm being pivoted with respect to the base about the pivot member upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinder from the mobile device. Optionally, the hydraulic cylinder may have a distal end being secured to the proximal end of the arm, and a proximal end being secured to the base. Further optionally, the arm pivot member may include a pin which is pivotally secured in corresponding holes of the base.

In some implementations, the rotating means may include a hydraulic motor whose rotation is controllable from the mobile device.

In some implementations, each grating member may be directly secured to the external surface of the rotor using at least one of mechanical bonding and chemical bonding. Alternatively, each grating member may be secured to the external surface of the rotor with an adaptor receiving a base portion of the grating member. Optionally, the plurality of grating members may include protrusions, blades, hooks, spikes or any combination thereof. Further optionally, the plurality of grating members may be arranged in a staggered or offset relationship so as to provide an even grating of the ditch.

In some implementations, the rotor may have an average diameter which is selected in accordance with a ditch width. Optionally, the size, number and configuration of the grating members may be selected in accordance with the average diameter of the rotor and road soil type.

In some implementations, the accessory may further include a base pivot assembly for allowing deviation of the base from the mobile device. The base pivot assembly may include a base pivot member and a base fastener secured to the mobile device, the base being pivoted with respect to the mobile device about the base pivot member. Optionally, the base pivot member may include a pin and hinge system, the hinge connecting an edge of the base to the base fastener, and the pin being pivotally secured into the hinge.

In another aspect, there is provided a method for excavating a ditch along a road. The method includes removably connecting an accessory for excavation of a ditch onto a mobile device. The accessory comprises a rotatable grating assembly having a rotation axis and configured for expelling rubble from the ditch, and a pivotable arm assembly connecting the grating assembly to the mobile device. The method further includes moving the arm assembly to contact the grating assembly with the road; pivoting the arm assembly about a first pivot axis to align the rotation axis of the grating assembly with a ditch axis; rotating the grating assembly about the rotation axis; and displacing the mobile device along the ditch axis to expel rubble upon rotation of the grating assembly so as to excavate the ditch.

In some implementations, the mobile device may include a controller and the method may further include actuating the controller to control the steps of moving and pivoting the arm assembly, and the step of rotating the grating assembly.

In some implementations, the pivoting of the arm assembly may be actuated by a first hydraulic system interconnected with the controller of the mobile device. Optionally, the rotation of the grating assembly may be actuated by a second hydraulic system interconnected with the controller of the mobile device.

In some implementations, the step of moving the arm assembly may include translating the arm assembly in a plane perpendicular to the ditch axis. Optionally, the step of moving the arm assembly may further include pivoting the arm assembly about a second pivot axis to adjust a distance of the arm assembly with respect to the ditch, thereby allowing the grating assembly to follow a ditch surface.

In another aspect, there is provided a method for excavating a ditch along a road. The method comprises providing rotatable grating means configured for expelling rubble from the ditch, the grating means having a rotation axis; moving the grating means with respect to the ditch to ensure contacting of the grating means with the road; aligning the rotation axis of the grating means with a ditch axis; rotating the grating means about the rotation axis; and displacing the rotating grating means along the ditch axis to expel rubble upon rotation of the grating means so as to excavate the ditch.

In some implementations, the step of moving the grating means may include translating the grating means in a plane perpendicular to the ditch axis. Optionally, the step of moving the grating means may further include reversibly pivoting the grating means to allow the grating means to follow a ditch surface.

In another aspect, there is provided use of an accessory as defined above to excavate the ditch along the road of an underground mining tunnel.

In another aspect, there is provided use of an accessory as defined above for connection with a loader, a front-loader, a track-loader, a skid-steer loader, a grader or a scoop.

While the invention will be described in conjunction with example embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included as defined by the present description. The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent and be better understood upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of the invention, given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of an excavating accessory and related methods for excavation of a ditch along a road are represented in and will be further understood in connection with the following figures.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an excavating accessory connectable to a mobile device for excavation of a ditch.

FIG. 2 is an upper view of the excavating accessory of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the excavating accessory of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a grating assembly according to an embodiment of the excavating accessory.

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of one grating member of the grating assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of an elongated arm from an arm assembly according to an embodiment of the excavating accessory.

FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of a base from an arm assembly according to an embodiment of the excavating accessory.

FIG. 8 is an upper view of an example component of an arm pivot assembly according to an embodiment of the excavating accessory.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of example parts of a grating assembly and arm assembly according to an embodiment of the excavating accessory.

FIG. 10 is a semi-transparent cross-sectional view along line X of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the excavating accessory of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a backhoe loader during excavating operation (PRIOR ART).

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of an excavating accessory connected to a loader under excavating operation.

While the invention will be described in conjunction with example embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Implementations of the excavating accessory and associated methods can provide various advantages with respect to conventional excavating devices and methods, including even expelling of the rubble along a ditch, significant reduction of the operation time of the excavation process, and reduction in the complexity and number of steps needed to be performed by a worker.

It should be understood that, while the present description of the excavating accessory is related to the mining industry, a person skilled in the art would easily understand that the various features of the accessory and steps of the associated methods can be applied to any application field where formation and cleaning of ditches are needed. For example, examples of mobile devices used for connection with the accessory can be varied according to the application field. In the mining industry, a suitable mobile device may include a loader, a front-loader, a track-loader, a skid-loader, a grader or a scoop whereas in the agricultural domain, a farm vehicle may alternatively be used.

It should further be understood that the term accessory refers to an assembly of components that can be connected to a mobile device to achieve a particular function of the accessory. The accessory can be removed from the mobile device when the excavation of the ditch is performed and the mobile device can be used to perform other operations. Terms such as device, add-on, component and assembly may be used in place of accessory without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the excavating accessory 2 may be attached to the mobile device 3, such as a loader, to achieve excavation of a ditch 1 by expelling rubble from the ditch. In some implementations, the excavating accessory 2 may be used to clean an existing ditch which has been buried under dirt and rubble. In other implementations, the excavating accessory 2 can be used to form a ditch. As known by one skilled in the art, the mobility of the road soil has to be adequate to perform excavation of the ditch by the accessory 2. Loose soil conditions may be needed to achieve proper expelling of the rubble by the accessory 2 and thereby form a new ditch 1 upon displacement of the mobile device 3 along the road.

Grating Assembly

Implementations of the excavating accessory include a rotatable grating assembly configured to expel rubble from a ditch upon rotation thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the grating assembly 4 includes a rotor 6 which can be rotated about a rotation axis upon actuation of rotating means (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 5). Optionally, the rotor 6 may be elongated and have the shape of the frustum of a cone. It should be understood that the configuration of the rotor is not limited to the one illustrated in the figures. The size and shape of the rotor may vary according to a width and depth of the ditch. For example, an average diameter of the rotor may be chosen according to a width of the rotor. In addition, the material of the rotor may be chosen according to the soil type of the road and rubble. For example, the rotor may be made of steel, stainless steel, aluminum or a combination thereof. Further optionally, the rotor may be made of steel having a hardness that can be adapted to specific road conditions.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, grating of the ditch is accomplished by a plurality of grating members 8 projecting outwardly from an external surface of the rotor 6 and configured for expelling rubble from the ditch. The grating members 8 can be protruding blades distributed among several rows on the rotor, which have a staggered or offset relationship with one another. For example, the blades may have a width from 5 cm to 15 cm. The grating members can be made of steel, iron, cast iron or a combination thereof. For example, the spacing between each grating members can vary from 2 cm to 75 cm. Again, the material and size of each grating member can be chosen in accordance with a width and depth of the ditch to be cleaned or in accordance with the soil type. Grating members may include protrusions, blades, hooks, spikes or any tools having a shape protruding from the rotor so as to be inserted into the soil or rubble and lift the latter upon rotation of the rotor.

It should be understood that the grating members can be positioned at different angles with respect to the external surface of the rotor and at different angles with respect to one another, so as to achieve an efficient grating of the ditch depending on the shape of the rotor. Referring to FIG. 4, grating members 8 positioned at a distal end of the rotor can be angled of 45° with respect to an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotor. This angle can favor good insertion of the grating members into the buried ditch at a distal end of the rotor 6. Optionally, this angle can be progressively reduced as the grating members 8 are closer to the proximal end of the rotor 6. For example, the grating member can be slightly angled (from 3 to 5°) near a proximal end of the rotor so as to expel lifted rubble sideways, i.e. substantially perpendicularly to the ditch.

In some implementations, the grating members may be directly secured to the external surface of the rotor by any mechanical bonding/fastening or chemical bonding available to one skilled in the art. Further optionally, the grating members may be indirectly attached to the rotor with an adaptor which is connected to an end portion of a corresponding grating member. Referring to FIG. 5, a base portion of the grating member 8 may be attached to a rotor adaptor 9 with a pin-and-hole lock system, and an end portion of the grating member 8 projects outwardly from the adaptor 9 to reach rubble. Optionally, the adaptor may be integrally molded with the rotor, fastened or bonded by any available mechanical or chemical means. In addition, the external surface of the rotor can be adapted to receive directly or indirectly the grating members. For example, as seen on FIGS. 1 and 4, the external surface of the rotor 6 may be composed of several sections having a planar surface to ensure and facilitate the connection with each grating members 8.

Arm Assembly

Implementations of the excavating accessory also include an arm assembly onto which is mounted the rotatable grating assembly. The arm assembly may be further movably securable to a mobile device. Rotation of the grating assembly and movement of the arm assembly with respect to the ditch can be controlled from the mobile device. Movement of the arm assembly is performed to adjust a distance and direction of the grating assembly with respect to the ditch for excavation thereof.

It should be understood that the arm assembly can be displaced in both planes parallel and perpendicular to the road in which the ditch is excavated. Various means may be used for that purpose including pivoting means and translation means, which may be provided by the mobile device (to which the accessory is connected) or by the accessory itself. For example, the accessory may include pivoting means to allow pivoting of the arm assembly with respect to the mobile device and the mobile device may include translation means to upwardly or downwardly move the arm assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the arm assembly 10 includes a base 12 which is movably connectable to the mobile device (not illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3), and an elongated arm 14 pivotally connected to the base. Optionally, the base 12 can move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the mobile device to adjust a distance of the arm assembly 10 with respect to the ditch. Pivoting of the elongated arm 14 is achieved by an arm pivot assembly 16. More precisely, a proximal end of the arm 14 may be pivotally connected to the base 12 through the arm pivot assembly 16 for enabling pivoting with respect to the base. A distal end of the arm 14 may be configured to hold the grating assembly 4, such that the grating assembly 4 is guided by the moving arm 14. Downward displacement of the base 12 may provide contact of the grating assembly with the road and pivoting of the arm 14 may provide alignment of the rotation axis of the grating assembly 4 with a ditch axis. It will be easily understood that upward displacement of the base may break the contact of the grating assembly with the road which can be useful when the mobile device is displaced at the end of the excavating operations.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6 to 9, the arm pivot assembly 16 may include an arm pivot member 20. The pivot axis may be provided by a pin 202 located at the proximal end of the arm 14, the pivot pin 202 may be pivotally secured in corresponding holes 204 of the base 14. The arm pivot assembly may further include a hydraulic cylinder 22 (better seen on FIG. 8) which can be selectively retracted and extended to vary the angle of the elongated arm 14 with respect to the base 12. Optionally, the hydraulic cylinder 22 has a proximal end 220 secured to the base 12 and a distal end 222 secured to the proximal end of the arm 14, each of the proximal and distal ends 220, 222 being secured through corresponding pin-and-hole systems 206.

It should be understood that the arm may be pivoted with respect to the base about the arm pivot member upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinder from the mobile device. Optionally, any hydraulic system may be used to perform pivoting of the arm with respect to the base without departing from the scope of the present invention. The mobile device may further include a controller interconnected with the hydraulic system for actuation thereof by a worker. Alternatively, the arm pivot assembly could be configured such that the pivoting of the arm is cable-driven for example. It should be understood that the arm assembly may be provided so as to offer a distance between the mobile device and the connected grating means for excavation, and may only guide the rotation of the rotor on the ground.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 9 and 10, the arm pivot assembly 16 may include rotating means 18 enabling the grating assembly 4 to rotate about a rotation axis with respect to the arm assembly 10. In some implementations, the rotating means 18 are configured to be inserted in a corresponding cavity of the rotor 6 so as to rotate in cooperation, upon actuation of the rotating means 18. In addition, the rotating means may be connected with the distal end of the arm 14, e.g. inserted in a corresponding hole 19 of the arm 14, such that the engaged grating assembly 4 rotates with respect to the arm 14. The rotating means 18 may be actuated to put the grating members in rotation so as to excavate the ditch upon displacement of the mobile device along the ditch axis. Optionally, the rotating means may include a hydraulic motor that may comprise a planetary gear drive.

It should be understood that the grating assembly may be rotated with respect to the arm assembly upon actuation of the rotating means from the mobile device. Optionally, any hydraulic system may be used to perform this rotation without departing from the scope of the present invention. The mobile device may further include a controller interconnected with the hydraulic system for actuation of the rotation of the grating means by a worker. Optionally, the mobile device may be provided with a single controller which may be interconnected with the hydraulic systems of both arm pivot assembly and rotating means so as to actuate pivoting and rotation simultaneously or independently. Alternatively, the rotating means could be configured such that the rotation is caused by an electric system for example.

Base Pivot Assembly

Implementations of the excavating accessory may include a fastening means in order to secure the base of the arm assembly to the mobile device. As previously mentioned, the base is to be secured so as to allow movement of the base with respect to the mobile device. Indeed, according to one aspect of the accessory, the arm assembly is able to be displaced in a plane parallel to the road plane (which is accomplished by the arm pivot assembly) and is further able to be displaced in a plane perpendicular to the road plane.

Various means can be used to achieve such a displacement. For example, a loader can be provided with an automotive or articulated steering mechanism which allows steering of the fastened base of the accessory. It should be understood that implementations of the accessory may be modified to include additional displacement means in case the mobile device is not provided with such means. For example, an additional arm pivot assembly may be added to enable another degree of movement liberty for the arm, i.e. movement in a plane perpendicular to the road plane.

In some implementations, referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, the base 12 may be indirectly coupled to the mobile device (not shown on FIG. 11) with a base pivot assembly 26 including a base pivot member 28 and a base fastener 30. The base fastener 30 may be a plate having geometry similar to the one of the base 12 and further including fasteners adapted to secure the accessory to the mobile device. Such fasteners include (but are not limited to) slots, fork systems or any configuration that the mobile device requires for attachment of the accessory.

Still referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, the base pivot member 28 is configured to offer a pivot axis between the base 12 and the base fastener 30 so as to allow deviation of the base 12 from the mobile device. Deviation may be useful when the accessory 2 is pushed too heavily towards the ground, thereby imposing an excessive reverse force on the rotating grating means 4. In this scenario, the base 12 can deviate from the base fastener 30 about the base pivot member 28 and absorb the excessive load imposed to the grating assembly 4 by allowing the interconnected arm 14 to be lifted while pivoting with the base 12. Consequently, the base pivot assembly 26 enables pivoting of the arm assembly 10 about a second pivot axis to adjust a distance of the arm assembly 10 with respect to the ditch, thereby allowing the grating assembly 4 to follow contours of the ditch surface. Optionally, the base pivot member may include a pin and hinge system, the hinge connecting an edge of the base 12 to the base fastener 30, and the pin being pivotally secured into the hinge.

In some implementations, the accessory may include flattening means cooperating with the arm assembly and configured to flatten the pile of rubble that is progressively formed on the side of the ditch upon rotation of the grating means and displacement of the mobile device along the ditch. For example, the flattening means may include a scraping blade shaped to flatten the expelled rubble without blocking the newly excavated ditch.

Associated Methods and Uses for Excavating a Ditch

Implementations of the accessory as above described may be associated with method and use implementations which are the following.

Implementations of the accessory allow for simplified and faster excavation of a ditch, wherein rotating grating means are used for expelling rubble during displacement of a mobile device along a ditch axis, a rotation axis of the grating means being aligned with the ditch axis. Consequently, the mobile device can be easily displaced along the ditch axis without interruption while the aligned rotating grating means rotate to excavate the ditch (as seen on FIG. 13). Advantageously, the excavating operations can be performed ten times faster than when using conventional manual methods (using a backhoe loader for example).

In some implementations, the method for excavating the ditch along the road may include removably connecting the accessory onto the mobile device. The accessory therefore may be used for connection to a loader, a front-loader, a track-loader, a skid-loader or a scoop. Optionally, connecting of the accessory may be performed on a mining device and further optionally to excavate the ditch along the road of an underground mining tunnel. Once the accessory is connected, it may be steered from the mobile device by any means provided in the mobile device. It should be understood that the term steered can be referred to as driven or controlled and implies that a controlling step may be performed by a worker to guide the accessory for proper excavation.

Excavation can be achieved with performing a series of displacements and rotation of the grating means. First, the method may include providing rotatable grating means configured for expelling rubble from the ditch, the grating means having a rotation axis. The grating means may be as defined above. The method may also include moving the grating means with respect to the ditch to ensure contacting of the grating means with the road. Optionally, moving the grating means may include translating the grating means in a plane perpendicular to the ditch axis to ensure contact with the road. Contacting of the grating means with the road may be achieved when the grating means are sufficiently close to the rubble to lift them upon rotation thereof about its rotation axis. The method may further include aligning the rotation axis of the grating means with a ditch axis; and rotating the grating means about the rotation axis. The ditch is the progressively excavated while the rotating grating means are displaced along the ditch axis.

Referring to FIG. 13, the method may include moving the arm assembly 10 to contact the grating assembly 4 with the road. Usually, a translation of the arm assembly 10 in a direction (along Z direction) perpendicular to the road plane is performed. Optionally, a downward translation of the accessory 2 may be controlled from the mobile device to achieve contact with the road.

In some implementations, the method may also include pivoting the arm assembly 10 about a first pivot axis to align the rotation axis of the grating assembly 4 with a ditch axis (along Y direction) of the ditch 1. This pivoting may also be referred to a tilting of the arm assembly in a plane parallel to the road plane (X, Y plane). The method may further include rotating the grating assembly 4 about the rotation axis, such that the grating members 8 can expel rubble upon contact with the road. When the grating means are in contact with the road and when the rotation axis of the grating means is aligned with the ditch axis, the ditch may be progressively excavated by displacing the mobile device along the ditch axis. The rubble can be expelled (along X direction) upon rotation of the grating means, thereby forming a rubble pile on one side of the ditch.

It should be understood that the steps of the method as above described may be performed simultaneously, successively and/or independently without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the pivoting of the arm assembly for alignment of the rotation axis of the grating assembly may be performed before moving the arm assembly to contact the road. Optionally, the method may further include actuating a controller from the mobile device to control the steps of moving and pivoting the arm assembly, the step of rotating the grating assembly or a combination thereof.

In some implementations, additional steps may be performed. Optionally, the method may include reversibly pivoting the arm assembly about a second pivot axis so as to allow vertical displacement of grating means (along Z direction) in response to contours of the ditch surface. This vertical displacement enables to alleviate load imposed to the grating means, especially when the road has a rough surface. Further optionally, the method may also include flattening the expelled rubble pile on the side of the ditch. This step may be performed by using a scrapping blade passing over the expelled rubble.

It should be understood that any one of the above mentioned optional aspects of each accessory, method and use of the accessory may be combined with any other of the aspects thereof, unless two aspects clearly cannot be combined due to their mutually exclusivity. For example, the various structural elements of the accessory described herein-above, herein-below and/or in the appended Figures, may be combined with any of the general operational steps of the method descriptions appearing herein and/or in accordance with the appended claims.

Claims

1. An accessory for excavation of a ditch along a road, the accessory being mountable on a mobile device and comprising: a grating assembly comprising: a rotor having a rotation axis; anda plurality of grating members projecting outwardly from an external surface of the rotor and configured for expelling rubble from the ditch; andan arm assembly connected to the grating assembly, the arm assembly comprising: a base movably connectable to the mobile device, movement of the base with respect to the mobile device allowing the connected grating assembly to contact the road;an elongated arm having a proximal end and a distal end;an arm pivot assembly, the proximal end of the arm being connected to the base by the arm pivot assembly for enabling pivoting of the arm with respect to the base, so as to align the rotation axis of the rotor of the grating assembly with a ditch axis; androtating means cooperating with the distal end of the arm and further engaging the rotor of the grating assembly to enable rotation thereof with respect to the arm assembly, so as to excavate the ditch upon displacement of the mobile device along the ditch axis.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the arm pivot assembly comprises an arm pivot member and a hydraulic cylinder, the arm being pivoted with respect to the base about the pivot member upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinder from the mobile device.

3. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the hydraulic cylinder has a distal end being secured to the proximal end of the arm, and a proximal end being secured to the base.

4. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the arm pivot member comprises a pin which is pivotally secured in corresponding holes of the base.

5. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the rotating means comprises a hydraulic motor whose rotation is controllable from the mobile device.

6. The accessory of claim 1, wherein each grating member is directly secured to the external surface of the rotor using at least one of mechanical bonding and chemical bonding.

7. The accessory of claim 1, wherein each grating member is secured to the external surface of the rotor with an adaptor receiving a base portion of the grating member.

8. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the plurality of grating members comprises protrusions, blades, hooks, spikes or any combination thereof.

9. The accessory of claim 8, wherein the plurality of grating members is arranged in a staggered or offset relationship so as to provide an even grating of the ditch.

10. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the rotor has an average diameter which is selected in accordance with a ditch width.

11. The accessory of claim 10, wherein the size, number and configuration of the grating members are selected in accordance with the average diameter of the rotor and road soil type.

12. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising a base pivot assembly for allowing deviation of the base from the mobile device, the base pivot assembly comprising a base pivot member and a base fastener secured to the mobile device, the base being pivoted with respect to the mobile device about the base pivot member.

13. The accessory of claim 12, wherein the base pivot member comprises a pin and hinge system, the hinge connecting an edge of the base to the base fastener, and the pin being pivotally secured into the hinge.

14. A method for excavating a ditch along a road, the method comprising the steps of: providing rotatable grating assembly configured for expelling rubble from the ditch, the grating assembly having a rotation axis;moving the grating assembly with respect to the ditch to ensure contacting of the grating assembly with the road;aligning the rotation axis of the grating assembly with a ditch axis;rotating the grating assembly about the rotation axis; anddisplacing the rotating grating assembly along the ditch axis to expel rubble upon rotation of the grating assembly so as to excavate the ditch.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of moving the grating assembly comprises translating the grating assembly in a plane perpendicular to the ditch axis.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of moving the grating assembly comprises reversibly pivoting the grating assembly to allow the grating assembly to follow a ditch surface.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising controlling at least one of the steps of moving, aligning and rotating the grating assembly from an interconnected controller.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the alignment of the rotation axis of the grating assembly is actuated by a first hydraulic system interconnected with the controller.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the rotation of the grating assembly is actuated by a second hydraulic system interconnected with the controller.

20. Use of an accessory as defined in claim 1 for connection with a loader, a front-loader, a track-loader, a skid-steer loader, a grader or a scoop.