Abstract: A machine for filling a trench comprises a tub, release assembly, and a hopper. The tub mixes a material to be filled into the trench. The release assembly releases the material into the hopper and the material flows from the hopper and into the trench. The machine moves parallel to the trench as the trench is being filled. An operator controls the movement of the machine from an operator station on the machine.

Abstract: A pipe assembly used in horizontal directional drilling operations. The pipe assembly has an outer member, an inner member, and first removable collar. The inner member has a polygonal outer profile of uniform shape along its length and is partially contained within the outer member. The first removable collar is supported on the inner member within the outer member and limits relative axial movement of the inner member and the outer member.

Abstract: A slide cartridge having a base member and a channel defined by a pair of opposed walls. The walls extend from the base member and are configured to partially cover the rail of a horizontal directional drilling machine. The slide cartridge is supported on a carriage that is movable between the front and back of the drilling machine along the rail. The cartridge is positioned to engage the rail and to support the carriage for sliding movement along the rail.

Abstract: A vacuum system for use in excavation operations. The system uses a tank having an open end that is closed by a door. The door is opened and closed by a door lifting assembly made up of an upper linkage arm, a lower linkage arm and a hydraulic cylinder. A socket is formed in the upper linkage arm, and a shaft housing is formed in the lower linkage arm. The shaft housing engages with the socket to latch the door closed. The upper linkage arm is attached to the door at a first pivot axis and is attached to the lower linkage arm at a second pivot axis. The lower linkage arm is attached to a side of the tank at a third pivot axis. When the door is open, the second pivot axis extends below a reference plane that contains the first and third pivot axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a vacuum tank door. The apparatus comprises a circular flange attached to a door panel of a vacuum tank, a horizontal crossbar connected to the center of the door panel and a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly comprises an upper linkage arm, a lower linkage arm, and a hydraulic cylinder. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes the linkage assembly to move downwards pulling on the horizontal crossbar and pulling the vacuum tank door towards the tank. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder also causes a connection point of the lower linkage arm and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the lower linkage arm to the to the tank creating a tight seal between the vacuum tank door and the tank.

Abstract: A dual member drill string that has a plurality of dual member drill string sections, The drill string may be used in horizontal directional drilling operations. Each drill string section has an outer member and an inner member that may rotate independently of the outer member. The outer member has a pin end and a box end. The inner member has a pin end disposed within the pin end of the outer member and a box end disposed within the box end of the outer member.

Abstract: A hydraulic control for an attachment on a work vehicle. The attachment is mounted on the chassis of the work vehicle and movable between a first position and a second position. A hydraulic cylinder is operable to power movement of the attachment. A fluid circuit communicates with the hydraulic cylinder and is configured to carry hydraulic fluid. A fluid reservoir is in communication with the fluid circuit. Accumulators that are in communication with the fluid circuit automatically store and release hydraulic fluid in response to movement of the attachment. A valve assembly controls fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluid circuit in response to movement of the attachment to its second position.

Abstract: A work machine is formed from a self-propelled land travel vehicle and an attachment. The vehicle and attachment have interlocking coupling assemblies. The attachment has a positioning arm, a pivot fixture and a ground-engageable frame. The positioning arm and frame allow the attachment to pivot about the pivot fixture to couple and decouple with the vehicle. Coupling and decoupling of the vehicle and apparatus can be achieved without the use of separate lifting equipment.

Abstract: A vehicle having a long track or wheel-trail wheel combination on one side and a smaller ground engaging member, such as a short track or wheel on the other. The vehicle has a work attachment on one end of as frame, which is provided clearance on the side of the vehicle with the short track or wheel. A control system is provided to allow an operator to properly control a direction of the vehicle despite the fact that different forces may be required to operate the long track and the short track or wheel.

Abstract: A hydraulic control for an attachment on a work vehicle. Power is provided to the attachment by manually actuating a control lever that is biased toward a first position. This first position corresponds to a deactuated mode of the attachment. By unlocking a lock mechanism, the lever may be maintained in a second position under hand pressure. This second position corresponds to an actuated mode of the attachment. The lock mechanism may be actuated by an operator platform-actuated release mechanism. While an operator is on a platform on the vehicle, the loch mechanism remains unlocked, and the lever may be maintained, without hand pressure, in its second position. The release mechanism actuates the lock mechanism when an operator is not on the platform. As a result, the bias of the control lever returns it to its first position, and the attachment is deactuated. A filter may be utilized to prevent premature actuation of the release mechanism.

Abstract: A method for choosing a frequency to locate an underground object. A locating receiver is provided with a display. The locating receiver scans multiple pre-selected frequencies to determine a noise level, or a signal-to-noise ratio. The locating receiver transmits the chosen frequency to a transmitter, which places the chosen frequency on the underground object to provide an optimal locating frequency.

Abstract: A track assembly is formed from an endless track, an elongate guide member, a drive sprocket, and a plurality of track engaging rollers. The endless track has an inner surface having a plurality of parallel circumferential ridges. Formed between the circumferential ridges is a circumferential channel. The guide member is at least partially positioned and closely received within the circumferential channel. The track engaging rollers are arranged in a pair of parallel rows near an outer side of each circumferential ridge. During track rotation, the guide member remains closely received within the channel, and the rollers contact the outer side of the ridges to resist lateral movement of the track. Positioning of the guide member in the circumferential channel, with the rollers outside the ridges, laterally stabilizes the track thereby reducing the risk of the track slipping off the track assembly.

Abstract: A system for cooling an exhaust system of a construction machine. The system has a compartment within which the exhaust system is contained. A first compartment wall forms an external boundary of the compartment and has a plurality of air inlets proximate the exhaust system. A fan assembly is also within the compartment and separated from the exhaust system by a barrier. A conduit crosses the barrier and has an inlet near the exhaust system and an outlet positioned between the barrier and the fan assembly. Air flows within the compartment along an air flow path that extends from the air inlets, around the exhaust system, through the conduit and into the fan assembly. The air flow path extends from the fan assembly through a plurality of air outlets formed in an external compartment wall.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring bend radius and torque force exerted on a drill string. A sensor system is supported within a pipe section of the drill string and has a light source supported within the pipe section to emit a light beam within the pipe section. An optical sensing device is supported within the pipe section and spaced apart from the light source. The optical sensing device transmits a detection signal indicative of the position of the light beam on a surface of the optical sensing device to a processor that determines the bend radius and torque force exerted on the pipe section.

Abstract: A track system for steerable vehicles having at least one axle. The track system is capable of adjusting to changes in terrain by pivoting in clockwise and counterclockwise directions relative to an axle assembly as the vehicle moves across the ground. The pivotal movement of the track system relative to the axle assembly is restricted by a limiter attached to an inboard member of the track system frame. Pivotal movement is limited by the axle assembly housing engaging the limiter when the track system pivots in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to a maximum point along a pivot arc.

Abstract: A locator for determining the location of a buried utility line from an offset position. The locator has a top peak antenna, a bottom peak antenna, and a null antenna. The locator is tilted until the null antenna is pointed directly at the utility line with the top and bottom peak antennas disposed in a locating plane that is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the line. The tilt angle of the locator and the direct distance between the locator and the utility is measured. The tilt angle and direct distance are used by the processor to determine the vertical and horizontal distances between the locator and the utility.