An apparatus for use in separating clay from coal fines comprising a hopper having a sloped rear wall, a baffle mounted to the hopper and extending downwardly, a conveyor positioned along the rear wall of the hopper, and an overflow port located in the side walls between the baffle and the rear wall of the hopper. In particular embodiments the hopper includes a horizontal baffle extending from the first baffle and positioned below the overflow ports and an apron extending outwardly of the hopper from the rear wall. A method for separating a mixture of clay particles and coal fines is also described herein.
An apparatus for filling a trench and compacting the dirt within the trench. A vertical auger is rotatably mounted on a frame and is positionable within the trench for compacting dirt within the trench. A horizontal auger is rotatably mounted to the frame and includes a pair of flights spiraling toward the vertical auger on opposite sides of the vertical auger to force dirt along opposite sides of the trench into the trench with the dirt then being compacted by the vertical auger. Means are provided for rotating the horizontal and vertical augers. Additional means are provided for raising and lowering the vertical auger into and out of the trench. The vertical auger is pivotally mounted to the frame and may be pivoted upwardly when not in use by a third means. Back-up plates are provided to limit the movement of dirt away from the vertical and horizontal augers. The apparatus is mountable to a powered vehicle, such as a tractor.