Abstract: A valve system, including first, second, third and fourth ports, a first flow path connecting the first and second ports, a second flow path connecting the third and fourth ports, with valves connected in the first and second flow paths, and energizable to block the same. A third flow path connects the first and second ports and a fourth flow path connects the third and fourth ports. The third and fourth flow paths are more restricted than the respective first and second flow paths. A fifth flow path connects the first and fourth ports and a sixth flow path connects the second and third ports. When the third and fourth flow paths are open, the first, second, fifth, and sixth flow paths are blocked. When the first and second flow paths are open, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth flow paths are blocked. When the fifth and sixth flow paths are open, the first, second, third, and fourth, flow paths are blocked.

Abstract: A rollered grading assembly, including an elongated roller drum, an axle extending through the drum, an elongated housing partially enclosing the drum and connected to the axle, an elongated blade connected to the housing, a pivot rod perpendicular to the axle and connected to the housing, a coupler connected to the housing, and a pivot actuator connected to the coupler and housing. The coupler has a proximal end connected to the housing portion and positioned adjacent the roller drum and a spaced distal end extending away from the housing. Movement of the distal end a first distance while the proximal end remains stationary urges the housing to pivot around the drum and move the blade portion a second, shorter distance into a desired position relative grade.

Abstract: A rollered grading assembly, including an elongated roller drum, an axle extending through the drum, an elongated housing partially enclosing the drum and connected to the axle, an elongated blade connected to the housing, a pivot rod perpendicular to the axle and connected to the housing, a coupler connected to the housing, and a pivot actuator connected to the coupler and housing. The coupler has a proximal end connected to the housing portion and positioned adjacent the roller drum and a spaced distal end extending away from the housing. Movement of the distal end a first distance while the proximal end remains stationary urges the housing to pivot around the drum and move the blade portion a second, shorter distance into a desired position relative grade.

Abstract: A swimming pool assembly plumbed for winterization, including a swimming pool body having a top edge and an oppositely disposed bottom member connected by at least one sidewall, a water outlet operationally connected to the at least one wall and defining a high water level, at least one jet inlet body operationally connected to the at least one wall, first and second conduits connected in fluidic communication with the respective water outlet and at least one jet body, an at least partially buried pipe, a first and second manifolds positioned within the pipe and connected in fluidic communication with the respective first and second conduits; valves operationally connected to the respective manifolds; outlet ports operationally connected to the respective valves, and a drain line positioned in fluidic communication with the respective outlet ports.

Abstract: A valve system, including first, second, third and fourth ports, a first flow path connecting the first and second ports, a second flow path connecting the third and fourth ports, with valves connected in the first and second flow paths, and energizable to block the same. A third flow path connects the first and second ports and a fourth flow path connects the third and fourth ports. The third and fourth flow paths are more restricted than the respective first and second flow paths. A fifth flow path connects the first and fourth ports and a sixth flow path connects the second and third ports. When the third and fourth flow paths are open, the first, second, fifth, and sixth flow paths are blocked. When the first and second flow paths are open, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth flow paths are blocked. When the fifth and sixth flow paths are open, the first, second, third, and fourth, flow paths are blocked.

Abstract: A method of operating a digging machine, including damping the response of a boom hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a boom arm and actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a bucket.

Abstract: A swimming pool assembly plumbed for winterization, including a swimming pool body having a top edge and an oppositely disposed bottom member connected by at least one sidewall, a water outlet operationally connected to the at least one wall and defining a high water level, at least one jet inlet body operationally connected to the at least one wall, first and second conduits connected in fluidic communication with the respective water outlet and at least one jet body, an at least partially buried pipe, a first and second manifolds positioned within the pipe and connected in fluidic communication with the respective first and second conduits; valves operationally connected to the respective manifolds; outlet ports operationally connected to the respective valves, and a drain line positioned in fluidic communication with the respective outlet ports.

Abstract: A method of operating a digging machine, including operationally connecting a sensor to a bucket, operationally connecting an electronic controller to the sensor and to each respective hydraulic cylinder, operationally connecting a valve system to the hydraulic cylinder and to the electronic controller, inputting a desired post excavation landscape contour into the electronic controller, inputting locations of underground objects into the electronic controller, automatically actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to the bucket, and automatically controlling the bucket hydraulic cylinder to dig within predetermined parameters.

Abstract: A method of operating a digging machine, including damping the response of a boom hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a boom arm and actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a bucket.

Abstract: A plow attachment for an excavator, including a distal portion having elongated curved front and rear walls, and an elongated top wall, a pair of oppositely disposed elongated hook-shaped side walls connected to the top, front and rear walls and defining an elongated trough, a soil-deflecting wedge portion extending from between the sidewall portions and positioned opposite the top wall member. The plow attachment includes a proximal portion connected to the distal portion and having a flat skid plate member, a structural member connected to the flat plate member, and a hoe connecting member connected to the structural member.

Abstract: A system for digging sewer pipe trenches without the need of manholes, including a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated sidewalls defining a work volume therebetween, at least one support member extending between the sidewalls, and a location guidance assembly positionable within. The guidance assembly includes a pair of spaced parallel elongated positioning members, at least one elongated connection member extending between the positioning members, a GPS sensor operationally connected to each positioning member, a laser support member connected to one of the elongated positioning members, a mounting connection connected to the laser support member; and a laser connected to the laser support member. A movement actuator is coupled to the location guidance assembly, wherein energization of the actuator moves the laser between a first position and a second position in the working volume.

Abstract: A system for digging sewer pipe trenches without the need of manholes, including a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated sidewalls defining a work volume therebetween, at least one support member extending between the sidewalls, and a location guidance assembly positionable within. The guidance assembly includes a pair of spaced parallel elongated positioning members, at least one elongated connection member extending between the positioning members, a GPS sensor operationally connected to each positioning member, a laser support member connected to one of the elongated positioning members, a mounting connection connected to the laser support member; and a laser connected to the laser support member. A movement actuator is coupled to the location guidance assembly, wherein energization of the actuator moves the laser between a first position and a second position in the working volume.

Abstract: A method of operating a digging machine, including operationally connecting a sensor to a bucket, operationally connecting an electronic controller to the sensor and to each respective hydraulic cylinder, operationally connecting a valve system to the hydraulic cylinder and to the electronic controller, inputting a desired post excavation landscape contour into the electronic controller, inputting locations of underground objects into the electronic controller, automatically actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to the bucket, and automatically controlling the bucket hydraulic cylinder to dig within predetermined parameters.

Abstract: A method of operating a digging machine, including damping the response of a boom hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a boom arm and actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a bucket.

Abstract: A plow attachment for an excavator, including a distal portion having elongated curved front and rear walls, and an elongated top wall, a pair of oppositely disposed elongated hook-shaped side walls connected to the top, front and rear walls and defining an elongated trough, a soil-deflecting wedge portion extending from between the sidewall portions and positioned opposite the top wall member. The plow attachment includes a proximal portion connected to the distal portion and having a flat skid plate member, a structural member connected to the flat plate member, and a hoe connecting member connected to the structural member.

Abstract: A method of operating a digging machine, including damping the response of a boom hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a boom arm and actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a bucket.

Abstract: A kit for modifying a digging bucket for controlling the depth cut, including an elongated member operationally connectable to a hoe bucket defining a cutting edge, an actuator operationally connectable to the elongated member, an electronic controller operationally connectable to the actuator, and a position sensor operationally connectable to the cutting edge and operationally connectable to the electronic controller. The actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground. Positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground.

Abstract: A kit for modifying a digging bucket for controlling the depth cut, including an elongated member operationally connectable to a hoe bucket defining a cutting edge, an actuator operationally connectable to the elongated member, an electronic controller operationally connectable to the actuator, and a position sensor operationally connectable to the cutting edge and operationally connectable to the electronic controller. The actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground. Positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground.

Abstract: A kit for modifying a digging bucket for controlling the depth cut, including an elongated member operationally connectable to a hoe bucket defining a cutting edge, an actuator operationally connectable to the elongated member, an electronic controller operationally connectable to the actuator, and a position sensor operationally connectable to the cutting edge and operationally connectable to the electronic controller. The actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground. Positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground.

Abstract: A kit for modifying a digging bucket for controlling the depth cut, including an elongated member operationally connectable to a hoe bucket defining a cutting edge, an actuator operationally connectable to the elongated member, an electronic controller operationally connectable to the actuator, and a position sensor operationally connectable to the cutting edge and operationally connectable to the electronic controller. The actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground. Positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground.