Abstract: Operating a vehicle in an automated steering control mode wherein the vehicle includes a controller operatively coupled with an articulated steering system and a front axle steering system. The controller is configured to identify a desired path of curvature of the vehicle and determine a front axle steering angle of the front axle steering system and command the front axle steering system to operate at the front axle steering angle and also determine an articulation steering angle of the articulated steering system and command the articulated steering system to operate at the articulation steering angle. A further form includes operating front and rear ground engaging means at a designated speed, and thereafter operating the articulated steering system and the front axle steering system based on the designated speed being greater than a transport speed threshold, less than a field speed threshold or between the two.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of excavation systems, and more particularly to excavation systems including tools for excavation by electric pulses. An excavation system of the invention comprises a support frame (34), a hydraulic circuit with a pump, and first and second excavation tools.

Abstract: Provided are an excavating apparatus, an excavation blade plate and an excavating method which are capable of reducing a shear force to be applied to a fastening member fixedly fastening the excavation blade plate and a chain together. The excavating apparatus comprises a cutter post, a chain, a plurality of cutter bit plates, and a shoe bolt S1. The chain 11 is formed by mutually coupling a plurality of pairs of links arranged along a circulating movement direction thereof Each of the cutter bit plates includes: a support-target surface supported by a supporting surface of the chain; and a central convex portion formed to protrude with respect to the support-target surface and inserted in a space between the pair of links, wherein the central convex portion is in surface contact with inner side surfaces of the pair of links along the circulating movement direction.

Abstract: Provided are an excavating apparatus and an excavating method which are capable of reducing a shear force to be applied to a fastening member fixedly fastening an excavation blade plate and a chain together. A trench excavator serving as the excavating apparatus is equipped with a cutter post, a chain, a second cutter bit plate, and a shoe bolt. The second cutter bit plate includes a pair of restraint plates disposed on both sides of and across the chain in a width direction of the chain to extend from a reverse surface of a plate body. The pair of restraint plates are configured to be brought into contact with the cutter post along with a circulating movement of the chain and the second cutter bit plate, to thereby restrict the second cutter bit plate from being rotated about an axis extending along a circulating movement direction.

Abstract: A ditch forming implement, for use with a working vehicle, has a frame for towing connection to the working vehicle and which supports a rotatable impeller member thereon for spreading soil in a laterally outward direction relative to a forward path of the implement. A driven pulley wheel is fixed to a rear of the impeller member for rotation together relative to the frame. A drive shaft assembly operatively transfers rotational drive from a power take-off of the working vehicle to a driven pulley wheel on the frame, to be subsequently transferred to the driven pulley wheel by a drive belt connected between the driven and drive pulley wheels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating an element in ground (S), the method comprising: a step of drilling an excavation (T) in the ground; and a step of mixing the ground in place in the excavation in situ with a geopolymer.

Abstract: An excavator (1) includes a frame (2) provided with suspension elements (3) for connecting to a mobile carrier, such as a tracked vehicle, as well as cutting members (8) supported on the frame (2) for digging a trench in the ground. The cutting members (8) have at least two endless series (9, 10) of cutting elements; at the same time, the cutting elements (9, 10) define a front side (11) to be turned towards a digging front and a return side (12) turned away from the digging front. Lateral guides (14) are provided on either side of the cutting members (8) for supporting the side walls of the trench.

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 its 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: Cutting elements may be used to degrade hard surfaces in roadway surface milling, earthworking, mining, or other in situ disintegration processes. A plurality of such cutting elements may be disposed on a movable base and thereby brought into engagement with a degradable surface. Groupings of the plurality of cutting elements may comprise unique cutting surface geometries. Various groupings may be arranged on the movable base such that the degradable surface forms a cross-sectional topography resembling a waveform comprising truncated peaks.

Abstract: A trench cutting apparatus comprises a main body portion, ground contacting conveying means on which the body portion is mounted and by which the apparatus can traverse the ground and at least one soil cutting device operable to cut a trench wherein the attitude of the soil cutting device is adjustable between a first use configuration configured for cutting a linear trench portion and a second use position configured for cutting a curved trench portion, said second use position being selected to minimise undercutting of a trench wall as said curved trench portion is formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clearing device (5) provided for removing ballast below a track (4), which clearing device comprises a clearing beam (10) of a clearing chain (11) that can be positioned below the track (4) in a ballast bed (6) and pivoted about a vertical axis of rotation (7). An end (12) of the clearing beam (10) that is distanced from the axis of rotation (7) can be connected by a releasable coupling (13) to a supporting device (14) fastened to the machine frame (1). In order to pivot jointly with the clearing beam (10), the supporting device is fastened to the machine frame (1) via a linkage (16) that is distanced from the coupling (13) and has a pivot axis (15).

Abstract: Unit plates are supported by unit frames connected consecutively together for turning about axes being remote from and crossing a longitudinal axis of the frames with the ability to alternately be shifted about the turning axes by rams coupled between the plates and frames and expanded while the frames are shifted continuously. The front frame supports alternately a face-and-end pumping mill, facing disk or wedge or endless chain cutter. A ski tenon supported on the front end of the front frame that is able to be engaged with a ski-trak means of adjacent from behind the same unit frames for relative turning about the axes and disengaged in the trench.

Abstract: A mechanical assembly controls the position of a trencher attached to a tractor and includes a positioning arm attached to the tractor at one end and the trencher at an opposite end. The positioning arm levers the trencher about a single fulcrum point on the positioning arm. A first lift cylinder has a base end connected to the tractor and an extendible end connected to the first positioning arm at the single fulcrum point. The positioning arm pivots about the tractor to move the trencher in response to the lift cylinder. Grade control cylinders are also attached to the positioning arm and the trencher to control the angular position of the trencher in relation to the ground below.

Abstract: An excavator (1) includes a frame (2) provided with suspension elements (3) for connecting to a mobile carrier, such as a tracked vehicle, as well as cutting members (8) supported on the frame (2) for digging a trench in the ground. The cutting members (8) have at least two endless series (9, 10) of cutting elements; at the same time, the cutting elements (9, 10) define a front side (11) to be turned towards a digging front and a return side (12) turned away from the digging front. Lateral guides (14) are provided on either side of the cutting members (8) for supporting the side walls of the trench.

Abstract: A stand-up, ride-on work vehicle adapted for multiple applications. The vehicle comprises a base unit, an articulating joint, and one of a plurality of interchangeable equipment chassis. The base unit has at least one ground supporting member, and provides power and mobility to the work vehicle. The articulation joint is supported on a front end of the base unit. An operator station extends from a back end of the base unit. Each of the plurality of chassis comprises at least one ground support member and is pivotally connected to the base unit by the articulation joint. Each of the plurality of chassis may be a dedicated equipment chassis or a universal equipment chassis. Each dedicated chassis comprises a dedicated work tool. Each universal chassis comprises an attachment surface for connection to one of a plurality of work tools. The ground supporting members may be any combination of drive wheels, trail wheels, tracks, or work tools.

Abstract: A soil removal apparatus in one embodiment has a motive power unit and an excavator joined to the motive power unit by a coupler, the excavator extending laterally of the motive power unit. The coupler includes a manipulator for manipulating the excavator to loosen and displace soil material in a path lateral to a path of movement of the motive power unit. The method relates to undercutting an object with a motive power unit, selectively halting and moving the motive power unit, and loosening and displacing soil lateral to the path of travel of the motive power unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to trenching devices, and more particularly to a trenching device optimized for basement water proofing and other application where it may be preferable to trench near and along a vertical surface. The trenching device has been designed for ease of portability and commercial shipping.

Abstract: A digging system includes a machine having a machine frame, and an implement assembly mounted to the machine frame. The implement assembly includes an elongate boom and a trenching mechanism having a plurality of drawing cutters coupled with an endless drive chain movable about a drive system mounted to an elongate boom. The implement assembly further includes an undercutting mechanism having first and second rotating cutters projecting in opposite axial directions from the distal boom end. The implement assembly defines a compound projection profile in a plane which includes first and second axes of rotation of a drive wheel and guide wheel of the drive system. The compound projection profile includes a relatively narrow proximal stem segment corresponding to the trenching mechanism and a relatively broad distal footing segment corresponding to the undercutting mechanism.

Abstract: A number of front working, trench filling face-compressing, inclinedly disposed sliders are arranged alternately with cutter bits on an endless chain of a trench-forming endless chain cutter on a transporting chassis, and driven with the chain by a drive means so that backward oriented, inclined facet portions of the sliders compress a filling in the trench toward and on a front working face of the wall being formed. An elongate, filling face-compressing shield is adapted to be extended down into the trench and supported with its underground portion on the underground portion of a guide post of the cutter or on the trench bottom for forward and backward oscillation by a drive means to compress the filling face adjacent to the shield. The compacted filling is in these ways being formed by horizontal pressure.

Abstract: An operator controllable machine is retrofitted to be operator controlled or to be automatically controlled. An electrical joystick output is provided by a manually actuated joystick control, including a joystick, to a machine control in the manually controlled machine. An interface is added between the joystick control and the machine control to permit an external source, such as a GPS receiver or a laser receiver, to apply an electrical automatic control output to the machine control, as well. The interface includes a number of optical isolation circuits and a microprocessor. The isolated microprocessor output is supplied to the machine control, which produces valve control signals to control the hydraulic valves of the machine. The application of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders of the machine is then controlled by either the joystick control output or the automatic control output.

Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a dual pivot mechanism. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A number of slot filling-compressing members are inserted from a framework into and across a slot-shaped excavation at ahead of a frontal face of a continuous, compacted slot filling being formed along the slot, and moved with a drive means connected to the members for intermittently forcing portions of the members against the filling to compress the filling adjacent to the members longitudinally against the face. The compacted filling is in this way formed by longitudinal pressure. The members can be mounted for forward or reciprocating movement in directions along and across the face.

Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a dual pivot mechanism. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a trenching machine has at least one roller assembly comprising a body rotationally supported by an axle exteriorly mounted to a trenching chain or wheel. At least a portion of the body comprises a substantially conical shape.

Abstract: A method for trenching below the water table in environmentally sensitive areas such as the Florida Keys is shown. A first pass made by a trencher digs a first trench from the surface to the water table. During the first pass, relatively dry spoil is removed from the first trench. Next, a much deeper second trench is dug below the first trench; however, wet spoil remains in the now combined first and second trench, the combined first and second trench being large enough to accumulate the wet spoil with expansion. Thereafter, the combined first and second trench may be filled with the relatively dry spoil, packed and driven upon. Later, the packed spoil may be removed and water pipes, electric cables, sewer lines or the like buried in the trench. According to the requirements of the work area, the spoil may be used to partially fill the combined first and second trench or be hauled away.

Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a dual pivot mechanism. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a pivot joint that is offset from a drive axis of the trenching chain. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a trenching machine has at least one roller assembly comprising a body rotationally supported by an axle exteriorly mounted to a trenching chain or wheel. At least a portion of the body comprises a substantially conical shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sub-sea trenching machine (16) including two cutter units (26a, 26b). The cutter units are preferably chain cutter units. The cutter units are mounted to be moveable from a use position in which the cutter units are juxtaposed or spaced a limited distance apart to a stowed condition in which the cutter units are sufficiently spaced apart to allow mounting of an elongate workpiece (18) such as a pipe or cable onto the trenching machine.

Abstract: A link for a cutting chain comprises a reduced number of parts including a body section and a journal pin. A plurality of links can be joined to form the cutting chain. The cutting chain can be used on a trenching machine having a boom encircled by an endless chain. The link includes a top surface for the placement of cutting teeth. The link increases the freedom of cutting teeth placement, can extend the useful life of the cutting chain and the drive sprocket, can reduce thermal cracking and failure, and can resist lateral forces that would force the cutting chain from the boom.

Abstract: A trenching attachment for selective attachment to a working machine features a frame arranged for selective connection to the working machine, an internal combustion engine mounted to the frame and a boom assembly connected to the frame and having a trencher chain installed thereon. The internal combustion engine is operatively connected to the trenching chain to facilitate driving thereof. Having its own dedicated engine, the trenching attachment is less dependent on the power take-off system of the working machine than a conventional trenching attachment that uses a hydraulic motor to power the trencher chain and relies exclusively on delivery of hydraulic fluid from the working machine for operation.

Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a pivot joint that is offset from a drive axis of the trenching chain. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to improved chains for use with trenching machines. The present disclosure relates more specifically to a chain for a boomed trenching excavator, the chain including a plurality of links hingedly connected to each other. Each link includes a one piece body with an inner surface for engaging the boom and an outer surface for engaging the ground. Each link also includes a pair of side extensions for engaging a drive sprocket of the boom. One or more teeth may be mounted to the outer surface. The present disclosure also relates to a blank from which the links for an excavator chain may be made and to a link which may be used with other links to form an excavator chain.

Abstract: A trenching attachment for selective attachment to a working machine features a frame arranged for selective connection to the working machine, an internal combustion engine mounted to the frame and a boom assembly connected to the frame and having a trencher chain installed thereon. The internal combustion engine is operatively connected to the trenching chain to facilitate driving thereof. Having its own dedicated engine, the trenching attachment is less dependent on the power take-off system of the working machine than a conventional trenching attachment that uses a hydraulic motor to power the trencher chain and relies exclusively on delivery of hydraulic fluid from the working machine for operation.

Abstract: An excavating screw unit equipped with a hydraulic excavating auxiliary blades has developed for an auger crane, comprising: an extension unit having auxiliary excavating blade, cylinder mounting hole, built-in fluid passages in extension unit, hydraulic cylinder, piston, and extension guiding rods; an excavation column formed a hollow center of a square-shaped to mount on top of extension unit; an extension rod having an outer square-shape to fit into the excavation column, a built-in hydraulic passages in the extension rod, at top portion of the extension rod, an inlet and outlet that is bent right angle at top portion of the hydraulic passages to connect to hydraulic tubes, the extension rod is sliding to extend or retract through the excavation column. The extended excavating auxiliary blades are maintained by the pressurized fluid to prevent retracting by digging resistance during the excavating. Thus, this mechanized excavating device is easily digging a burial hole for a utility pole and underbracing.

Abstract: A trencher has two wheels equidistant on either side of the arbor, and a third steerable wheel at the front of the trencher in line with the arbor. Speed of the arbor, forward motion of the trencher and the direction of motion are determined by motors controlled by an onboard control system. The onboard control system is controlled by a remote control, which may be a simple manual wireless controller or a programmable computer. With a programmable computer, the trencher can be pre-programmed to dig along a pre-selected path, e.g., a logo, flower or other design.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method of creating trenches of various widths, including widths that are substantially greater than the width of the boom head or even the chassis. According to the trencher system of the present disclosure, the boom is designed so that it can be easily configured to create a trench of a first width and subsequently create a trench of a second width that is different than the first width.

Abstract: An excavation device having a pair of milling wheels with a substantially horizontal axis (X) of rotation. Each milling wheel peripherally equipped with an excavation apparatus to define an excavation front substantially parallel to the axis (X). The excavation device also has a chain-type transmission to draw in rotation, in a first operating condition, each of the milling wheels. The transmission is driven by a motor and provided, on its side which is external during use, with an excavation apparatus. The excavation device also has a thruster able to be activated to selectively move the transmission into a second operating position, widened and external with respect to the first operating condition.

Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a pivot joint that is offset from a drive axis of the trenching chain. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a pivot joint that is offset from a drive axis of the trenching chain. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trench cutter comprising at least two cutting wheels or pairs of cutting wheels, whose axes of rotation are offset from each other. A forced synchronization is achieved in accordance with the invention in that a single drive motor is provided which jointly drives the at least two cutting wheels or pairs of cutting wheels by means of a gear arrangement.

Abstract: A hydraulic system with thermal shock protection. The hydraulic system can include a controller that limits when hot hydraulic fluids may be directed to cold hydraulic components. The hydraulic system can be used in machines such as trenchers to protect hydraulic components such as hydraulic motors from failure due to thermal shock.

Abstract: In a chain excavator including an excavation chain with links routed around a drive sprocket and an end idler with a base plate mounted to a link for supporting excavation implements, a stabilizing element extends rearwardly from directly behind the excavation implement in order to contact and be supported by its trailing base plate.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a trenching machine for degrading natural and man-made formations, comprising a plurality of roller assemblies exteriorly mounted to a trenching boom or wheel. The rollers comprising a plurality of pointed inserts radially arranged along the wheel's outer diameter. The inserts are adapted to degrade the formation when the boom or wheel is activated.

Abstract: An endless chain for cutting and removing spoil from a trench includes a plurality of links pivotally coupled together. A plurality of flight plates are secured to the plurality of links. A pattern of openings extends through each flight plate between the under surface and the outer surface. A plurality of wear plates is positioned over the outer surface of the plurality of flight plates. A plurality of fasteners pass from the under surface of the flight plate through at least some of the pattern of openings in the flight plate and into the wear plate to secure the wear plate to the flight plate. The fasteners securing the wear plates to the flight plates can have outer ends that terminate short of the outer surface of the wear plates in openings in the under surface of the wear plate. Sockets, which include bores receiving cutting elements, can be fixed to the wear plates with a bottom surface of the socket either angled with respect to or flush with the wear plate outer surface.

Abstract: In a chain excavator including an excavation chain with links routed around a drive sprocket and an end idler with a base plate mounted to a link for supporting excavation implements, a stabilizing element extends rearwardly from directly behind the excavation implement in order to contact and be supported by its trailing base plate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to improved chains for use with trenching machines. The present disclosure relates more specifically to a chain for a boomed trenching excavator, the chain including a plurality of links hingedly connected to each other. Each link includes a one piece body with an inner surface for engaging the boom and an outer surface for engaging the ground. Each link also includes a pair of side extensions for engaging a drive sprocket of the boom. One or more teeth may be mounted to the outer surface. The present disclosure also relates to a blank from which the links for an excavator chain may be made and to a link which may be used with other links to form an excavator chain.

Abstract: An excavating apparatus having a prime mover with a longitudinal centerline and a main frame with an engine, a ground drive system and an excavation boom operatively attached thereto wherein the excavation boom has a first end and a second end. The first end of the boom is operatively pivotally attached to the main frame along a main frame pivot axis. The main frame pivot axis is transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the prime mover. A head shaft operatively rotatably attached to the second end of the boom and is operatively pivotally attached to the second end of the boom. Also, the excavation drum is mounted onto the head shaft in a manner that the excavation drum cooperates with the excavation chain and a fixed cutter pattern of the excavation chain to stay in consistent alignment with the fixed cutter pattern of the excavation drum.

Abstract: A control system for a work machine. The control system allows an operator to selectively maintain control of a ground drive, a work tool, or both the ground drive and the work tool. The system provides a foot pedal movable between multiple positions. The foot pedal allows an operator to selectively hold the position of one or both of the ground drive control and work tool control. When the foot pedal is in a first position, the work tool control and ground drive control are not affected. When the foot pedal is in a second position, the position of the work tool control is maintained, while the ground drive control is not affected. When the foot pedal is in a third position, the position of the work tool control is maintained and the position of the ground drive control is maintained. A work tool control lock is used to prevent the work tool control from engaging when the foot pedal is in the second position or the third position.

Abstract: An excavating apparatus having a prime mover with a longitudinal centerline and a main frame (30) with an engine, a ground drive system and an excavation boom operatively attached thereto wherein the excavation boom has a sub-frame (112) with a first end and a second end. The first end of the sub-frame (112) is operatively pivotally attached to the main frame (30) along a main frame pivot axis (114). The main frame pivot axis is transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the prime mover. A head shaft (150) operatively rotatably attached to the second end of the sub-frame (112) along a head shaft axis (151) and the head shaft axis (151) is transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the prime mover. An excavating drum (148) is operatively attached to the head shaft (150) for rotation about the head shaft axis (151).