Abstract: Apparatus for laying flexible pipe within a trench and for embedding the flexible pipe within a bed of gravel in a single operation. The apparatus includes a gravel hopper and a guide sleeve for guiding a pipe to be laid within the trench. The hopper includes a skid or sled arrangement to permit it to be pulled along the trench bottom, and has a width to permit it to be completely positioned within the trench and thereby accommodate a wide variety of trench depths. A feed guide support stanchion extends from the front portion of the hopper for facilitating the feeding of a flexible pipe into a pipe guide inlet positioned adjacent the bottom portion of the front wall of the hopper. The hopper interior is divided into a main, narrow portion, and a rear, enlarged portion, the side walls of which are adapted to engage the side walls of the trench. The hopper rear portion side walls have a small surface area to minimize sliding friction with the trench walls.