This inventions's method separates from excavated materials (2) fine constituents (3), preferably topsoil, and coarse constituents (4), preferably stones, roots or root crops. The materials to be excavated (2) are excavated by an excavating and separating bucket (11), of grid structure, which is subjected to separating movements causing the fine constituents (3) to escape from the excavating and separating bucket (11) through apertures provided for that purpose. To produce shock-free separating movements the excavating and separating bucket (11) is rotated continuously through one or preferably a plurality of revolutions in the same direction of rotation (R). A simple apparatus for carrying the method of the invention into effect is described. The excavating and separating bucket (11) is a unit (5) connected to an excavating and elevating assembly (8) on a vehicle (9). A rotation assembly (10) to rotate the excavating and separating bucket (11) continuously through one or preferably more revolutions in the same direction of rotation (R) to produce shock-free separating movements. The excavating and separating bucket (11) has one or more, preferably four, pockets which are adapted to elevate the excavated materials (2) contained in the excavating and separating bucket (11) at every revolution and let them down again into the lowermost portions of the excavating and separating bucket (11).
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