Abstract: An apparatus for placing auger type anchors into the earth includes a machine frame that supports an elongated housing. The housing has upper and lower end portions. An anchor holder is positioned at the lower end of a tubular member rotatably mounted in the housing for holding an anchor and rotating it during placement. A plurality of drive wheels carried by the frame transport the housing between upper and lower positions. The wheels are loaded with adjustable compression springs so that extensive pressure can be applied from the drive wheels to the housing for gripping and driving the housing during insertion. A gear train interconnects the driving wheels so that all of the driving wheels rotate at the same rotational speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling boreholes into the earth includes a mobile carrier with a frame that supports an elongated housing. The housing has upper and lower end portions. An drill pipe section holder is positioned at the lower end of a tubular member rotatably mounted in the housing for holding a drill pipe section and rotating it during placement. A plurality of drive wheels carried by the frame transport the housing between upper and lower positions. The wheels are loaded with adjustable compression springs so that extensive pressure can be applied from the drive wheels to the housing for gripping and driving the housing during insertion. A gear train interconnects the driving wheels so that all of the driving wheels rotate at the same rotational speed. Water is supplied to the housing via a bore that communicates with openings and a bore of the tubular member. The tubular member bore conveys the water to multiple sections of drill pipe (i.e.

Abstract: An improved marsh craft construction uses spaced apart pontoons with endless belts (e.g.,. rubber) that encircle the pontoons and ride upon a rail system. Lugs are fastened to the belts for sliding against the rails. Drive wheels have cylindrical pins that intermesh with correspondingly shaped surfaces of the lugs. This improved construction eliminates any roller chain.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing geophones beneath the surface of the earth includes a machine frame that supports an elongated probe rod. The probe rod is dimensioned to reach a selected subterranean earth layer. The rod has upper and lower end portions. A geophone holder is positioned at the lower end of the rod for holding a geophone and its cable. A plurality of drive wheels carried by the frame transport the rod between the upper and lower positions. The drive rollers include at least an opposed pair of upper wheels and an opposed pair of lower wheels. The wheels are loaded with an adjustable spring pusher so that extensive pressure can be applied from the drive wheels to the pipe for gripping and driving the pipe even when muddy. A gear train interconnects all of the driving wheels so that all of the wheels rotate at the same rotational speed. A gear train preferably includes six gears including a pair of upper gears, a pair of lower gears, and a pair of intermediate drive gears.

Abstract: A tracked, amphibious vehicle with track securement and guide means for the track to prevent "track throw" or loss. The vehicle includes two spaced, parallel pontoons joined by a centrally located operator's platform structure, with each pontoon having a moveable track for propulsion, with the track supported on its pontoon by fore and aft sprocket wheel sets and a series of larger bogie wheels at its bottom and smaller guide wheels at its top. Each track comprises a parallel set of rubber, continuous, endless belts joined together by a series of laterally disposed cleats with drive lugs, which lugs are engaged by the teeth of the sprocket wheels. For track securement in a first embodiment (FIG. 5) every fifth cleat includes an inwardly projecting, polyethylene T-hanger retainer which matingly fits and rides in a beam guide attached to the bottom of the pontoon and extends from the initial bottom bogie wheel to the entry of the aft, drive sprocket. In a record embodiment (note FIG.