Abstract: Trenching chains and chain links are disclosed, the trenching chains including a plurality of chain link bodies joined at the ends thereof and a plurality of carriages each having one end pivotably attached at an end of a link body and an opposite end unengaged and freely pivotable. Cutting or trench sweeping implements are maintainable on the carriages. The carriages can thus be configured with lengths greater than the lengths of the link bodies.

Abstract: An operator propelled and/or guided portable trencher is disclosed having a wheeled carriage with an operator manipulable handle bar mounted thereat. The carriage includes a wheel mounting base assembly and a drive frame assembly pivotably connected to each other. A trenching chain assembly is mounted to the drive frame assembly and has a chain maintained at a multi-sprocket chain guide. One sprocket of the chain guide is movably mounted and biased to tension the chain while allowing sprocket movement to partially relieve chain tension during chain use in case of debris entrainment at the chain. An operator manipulable support is connected with the mounting base assembly and is engageable at structure at the drive frame assembly providing operator selection of pivotable location of the drive frame assembly relative to the wheel mounting base assembly during trencher storage and use.

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: 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 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: Molded polymer elevator buckets are reinforced by tapering the thickness of front and sidewalls and integral arcuate corner parts to improve bucket life without significant weight increase or reduced bucket capacity. Front lip wear indicators may be molded into the front wall section delimited by the lip and/or on the arcuate corner parts.

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 excavator has a moving conveyor with vanes that penetrate the earth and section it. A cutter bar follows the vanes, cuts a section of earth loose and directs it to a lifting throat. The lifting throat, in combination with the conveyor and vanes, lifts the excavated earth into a hopper.

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: 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 cutter for working the soil includes a cutting frame, at least two cutting wheels that are supported on the cutting frame in a rotatably drivable manner about parallel axes of rotation, and an adjusting device, The adjusting device functions to adjust the center distance between the parallel axes of rotation of the cutting wheels, and includes a knee-lever mechanism. A method for working the soil is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for making a trench wall in the soil comprising a frame, at least one lower cutting/mixing wheel arranged at the bottom of the frame, at least one further, upper cutting/mixing wheel arranged at the top of the frame, wherein the frame is designed in an intermediate portion between the upper cutting/mixing wheel and the lower cutting/mixing wheel with a smaller cross section with respect to the cutting cross section of the at least one lower cutting/mixing wheel. The invention further relates to a method for making a trench in the soil by means of such a device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a trench wall in the ground, in which at least one cutting wheel located on a trench wall cutter is given a rotary movement by a drive, the trench wall cutter is lowered into the ground and soil material below the cutting wheel is stripped and a cut trench made, which is filled with a settable liquid. The stripped soil material is conveyed from the cutting wheel into a rear area of the cut trench, that the stripped soil material in the cut trench is intermixed with the settable liquid and that the stripped soil material is at least partly left in the cut trench for forming the trench wall. The invention also relates to a trench wall cutter and a trench wall cutting device.

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: 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).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a trench wall in the ground, in which at least one cutting wheel located on a trench wall cutter is given a rotary movement by a drive, the trench wall cutter is lowered into the ground and soil material below the cutting wheel is stripped and a cut trench made, which is filled with a settable liquid. The stripped soil material is conveyed from the cutting wheel into a rear area of the cut trench, that the stripped soil material in the cut trench is intermixed with the settable liquid and that the stripped soil material is at least partly left in the cut trench for forming the trench wall. The invention also relates to a trench wall cutter and a trench wall cutting device.

Abstract: This invention provides with a continuous underground trench excavating method and an excavator for the method, which performs vertical excavation in which a trencher of the excavator is inserted into the ground and horizontal excavation in which a travel body of the excavator is moved substantially horizontally, characterized in that it determines a penetration resistance under penetration of the trencher to a predetermined depth, estimates a ground strength in the underground depth direction on the basis of the penetration resistance, and a continuous underground trench excavating is carried out with a thrust matching the estimated ground strength, whereby capable of carrying out an appropriate excavation with better understanding of the ground condition.

Abstract: A compact self-propelled vehicle for composting windrows of compost material found in cramped confines has a low frame forming a central tunnel for mounting a flow-through conveyor. A front pick-up end has a central-flow auger system for attacking into the windrow end-on along the long axis thereof. The conveyor that has a lower intake end immediately trailing the central-flow auger system and a high discharge end for back-depositing the discharged material back into windrow formation. Hence central-flow auger system breaks apart, disintegrates and/or stirs the dug-into material while ultimately accomplishing transfer of it onto the conveyor. In essence, the vehicle worms its way through the windrow by virtue of the wheels rolling through a temporary and traveling void created between the leading pick-up end and the back-deposited material discharged by the discharge end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A trencher includes a trencher frame mounting a chain bar in a cantilever manner with a safety guide overlying the chain bar. Both the chain bar and the safety guide are adjustable on the trencher frame between various laterally spaced positions with the safety guide being able to overlie the chain bar in the different laterally spaced positions. The chain bar comprises a mounting stub over which one end of an elongated boom may be inserted. The stub includes a central longitudinal slot for receiving bolts passing through the boom to secure the boom to the slot. The use of a longitudinal slot in the stub allows the height of the stub to be maximized relative to the height of the boom to provide a stronger and more durable mounting for the boom.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for supporting construction of an underground continuous wall wherein a control server connected to each excavator through a network comprises a ground strength evaluating unit for obtaining the ground strength distribution of the ground to be excavated in a depth direction on the basis of imparted ground property; a necessary excavating ability operating unit for obtaining the accumulated ground strength from said ground strength distribution, and obtaining necessary excavating ability of said cutter post balanced with the excavation resistant force obtained from said accumulated ground strength; a comparing unit for comparing the obtained said necessary excavating ability with the excavating ability of the excavator carried into a work site; an excavating efficiency evaluating unit for evaluating excavating efficiency on the basis of the comparison result of the comparing unit; and a transmit-receive unit for receiving a request from said excavator and transmitting th

Abstract: An excavator of the invention comprises an excavating body having an excavating element and a clinometer detecting an inclination angle of ditch wall in a excavating ditch; a traveling distance recorder for measuring moving distance of said excavator; a calculator for calculating and accumulating the inclination signal for every moving distance of said excavator on the basis of the inclination signal outputted from said clinometer and the moving distance signal outputted from the traveling distance recorder; and a display device for displaying accumulated said inclination signal outputted from said calculator, thereby can excavate the ditch with excellent flatness of the ditch wall.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for constructing an underground wall in a trench, include using multiple chains on an endless chain cutter and individually controlling the speed and/or direction of the chains, various configurations of cutter bits and agitator bars on the chains, a technique for assembling the endless chain cutter in a horizontal position outside of a starter trench, then erecting the endless chain cutter to a vertical position in the starter trench. A guide frame straddles the starter trench. The endless chain cutter is repeatedly moved within the guide frame, then the guide frame is re-positioned until the entire lengh of the trench has been excavated. A central portion of the trench may be cut deeper than outer portions to create interlocking joints between adjacent wall sections and added stability for the resulting wall. Side gap barriers seal gaps between the sides of the endless chain cutter and side walls of the trench.

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 said prime mover. A head shaft (150) operatively rotatably attached to the second end of said 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 said head shaft axis (151).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for treating base materials, such as ore of a leach pad in a precious metal mining operation. A tilling head of the apparatus includes a cutter having a cutting face for engaging and loosening compacted base materials. The tilling head is extended into the base material down to a tilling depth so that the cutter moves loosened base material up and over the top of the tiller apparatus before depositing it in a pile opposite the cutting face. The loosened base material is deposited a distance from the tilling head that is sufficient to create a void between the tilling head and the pile that extends down to the tilling depth to prevent the loosened base material from being disturbed by the tilling head. The tilling head can be positioned so that the cutting face undercuts the base material to thereby assist the cutter in moving the loosened base material and increase the distance between the tilling head and the pile.

Abstract: A multiple-chain trenching machine comprises a prime mover with a trenching head assembly operably connected thereto, the head comprising: a) a frame operably connected to the prime mover at a proximal end; b) one or more pairs of proximal and distal primary sprockets mounted on the frame; c) a primary endless-chain digging assembly engaged around each pair of primary sprockets; d) one or more pairs of proximal and distal secondary sprockets mounted on the frame; e) a secondary endless-chain digging assembly engaged around each pair of secondary sprockets. The primary chains are substantially wider than the secondary chains, and trenching head is adapted so that each of the secondary chains produces a relief slot in the leading edge of the trench. The primary chains are driven in a forward chain direction, while the secondary chains may be driven in a forward or a reverse chain direction.

Abstract: A combination trencher (10) and vehicle (11) is disclosed wherein the tractor (11) has a pair of mounting rods (23) and a mechanically driven transfer case (20) with a rotating hub (25) extending from the front of the vehicle. The trencher (10) has a frame (31) which includes two generally parallel mounting members (32) sized and shaped to receive the mounting rods (23) of the tractor (11), and a hydraulic digging attachment (39). The digging attachment (39) has a pivotal cutting boom (41), an endless loop digging chain (42), a hydraulic boom actuator (44), and a hydraulic chain drive (45). The hydraulic chain drive (45) includes a hydraulic motor (51) mounted to the cutting boom (41) which drives the digging chain (42). The hydraulic motor (51) is in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump (52) through a hydraulic control system (53).

Abstract: The present invention provides a work control system for a trencher type excavator for soil cement wall, wherein in controlling the work of forming a soil cement wall carried out in the procedure such that a cutter post provided on a trencher type excavator for soil cement wall and having a chain cutter wound endlessly is inserted into the object ground, the cutter post is rotated while discharging a ground filler out of a discharge opening provided in the cutter post, and the cutter post is moved in a lateral direction of the ground, execution width of the soil cement wall based on a fixed work load, and filling quantity of the ground filler at each position of the soil cement wall forming work are displayed on a two-dimensional coordinate in a lateral axis and a longitudinal axis, respectively.

Abstract: A trench rig (1) for excavating continuous monolithic brattices or bases, presenting a self-propelled crawler truck (2), a chain-driven excavating tool (6) provided with a central column (9) which extends along a working axis (A), and a control unit (8) for the column (9) presenting a fixed gripper (15) in relation to the truck (2) and a mobile gripper (16) in relation to the fixed gripper (15) itself; the two grippers (15, 16) are slidingly coupled to the column (9), and can be selectively engaged to the column (9) itself in order to move the tool (6) along the working axis (A), and are connected to each other by a linear step actuator (17).

Abstract: A tilling machine having independently driven wheels and a generally V-shaped plow. Tilling machine comprises digging chain that moves between a raised position and a lowered position, a housing carried by front wheels and rear casters, a motor that drives front wheels to propel housing, a guide wheel that aligns tilling machine with trench upon a second pass, and a generally V-shaped plow, wherein the plow may be positioned on the front or the rear to collect and deposit the dirt surrounding the trench into the trench. A method of gardening/landscaping wherein a trench is dug by a first pass, soil amendments are added to the trench, and then on the second pass, the excavated dirt is plowed back into the trench and mixed with the amendments. A method of gardening/landscaping wherein vegetation cover between trenched rows is maintained thus utilizing only the ground area that is needed for planting.

Abstract: An excavator of the invention comprises an excavating body having an excavating element and a clinometer for detecting an inclination angle of ditch wall in a excavating ditch; a traveling distance recorder for measuring moving distance of said excavator; a calculator for calculating and accumulating the inclination signal for every moving distance of said excavator on the basis of the inclination signal outputted from said clinometer and the moving distance signal outputted from the traveling distance recorder; and a display device for displaying accumulated said inclination signal outputted from said calculator, thereby can excavate the ditch with excellent flatness of the ditch wall.

Abstract: A method of excavating an underground continuous ditch by rotating a chain type cutter 4 while pressing the cutter horizontally against the ground A, with the cutter positioned underground. According to this method, when a lower ground portion is left unexcavated due to a deficiency in traversing force at the lower portion of the cutter particularly during excavation at a large depth, the rotating direction of the cutter 4 is changed from a rake-up direction in normal excavation to a rake-down direction and excavation is performed while the cutter is moved vertically, to excavate the lower ground portion (A1) left unexcavated.

Abstract: A narrow-trench earth trencher and flexible tube installer, including a relatively large diameter narrow driven sprocket connected by a chain with attached earth cutters to a relatively small drive sprocket. The trencher includes a carriage frame adapted to be connected to a pulling vehicle, with wheels at one end to facilitate horizontal travel. Mounted on the carriage frame are first and second vertically-oriented trencher frame assemblies. The trencher also includes a vertically-oriented tubular member and a crumber for helping place the flexible tubing in the trench.

Abstract: The present invention is a walk-behind power unit stabilizing system for use on portable trenchers and other equipment. The preferred application comprises a retractable wheel assembly mounted at the rear of a trencher where the invented device is allowed to be maneuvered by the user from a lower, stabilization position to an upper, transport position. The device has a handle that allows the user to move the device from the upper, transport position to the lower, stabilized position, and vice versa, easily by raising and lowering the handle, either by hand or by moving the handle up or down using the user's foot. Some of the main benefits of the invented device include: ease of use; a reduction in the physical labor required to operate a trencher; stability; the ability to more consistently control the depth at which the trench is dug; an increased ability to traverse perpendicular trenches; increased force exerted on the boom when inserting the boom into the ground; and trench straightening.

Abstract: Bucket dredger, comprising: a swivelling ladder connected to a vessel, a driven upper wheel at the top end and a polygonal lower wheel (7) at the lower end of the ladder, one or more endless chains (6) which are guided along both wheels, and buckets (9) connected to the shackles (8) of these chains (6). For receiving the lateral force exerted on a bucket the bottom wall (12) of each bucket (9) is provided with two ribs (15) extending downwardly, which extend substantially parallel to the side walls (14) of the bucket and which, in the assembled state of the bucket, extend adjacent the chains (6) and between the chains and upright edges (16) placed on the lower wheel (7). The ribs (15) can extend along the length of two shackles (8).

Abstract: A piste-preparation device for preparing a half-pipe comprises at least one tool adjustably mounted on a piste vehicle, and lateral members which are laterally disposed relative to the tool and can essentially be assigned to side walls of the half-pipe. To prepare a half-pipe even in cases where the surface is hard and, at the same time, to remove a large amount of material, in particular from the half-pipe side walls, each lateral member comprises removal means designed with removal tools which can move substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the piste vehicle.

Abstract: A trencher has an adjustable depth arbor support mechanism. The depth control mechanism includes a linkage which normally controls the depth of the trench being dug, but which also will allow the arbor to retract from the ground if it hits an obstacle. Preferably, the arbor support mechanism is at least partially counterbalanced by a spring, to allow the arbor to retract without undo force. The 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. The cutting teeth are mounted to the arbor using a variety of chucks and mounting brackets, so the width of the trench is adjusted by adjusting the chucks and mounting brackets used.

Abstract: A method of operation to effectively excavate an underdrain in the field ground having a long service life and ensuring that the underdrain will not be closed after a long period of time and a device for such operation. The method includes attaching a plurality of buckets to an endless chain, driving the endless chain to excavate a slit in the field ground, reforming inner side walls of the slit by a reformer, pressing soil from both sides of the slit later ally inwardly by a pressing member attached to the reformer to form a block to separate the slit into an upper space and a Iover space, and charging the upper space with discarded dirt.

Abstract: An apparatus for building a horizontal underground barrier by cutting through soil and depositing a slurry, preferably on which cures into a hardened material. The apparatus includes a digging means for cutting and removing soil to create a void under the surface of the ground and injection means for inserting barrier-forming material into the void. In one embodiment, the digging means is a continuous cutting chain. Mounted on the continuous cutting chain are cutter teeth for cutting through soil and discharge paddles for removing the loosened soil. This invention includes a barrier placement machine, a method for building an underground horizontal containment barrier using the barrier placement machine, and the underground containment system. Preferably the underground containment barrier goes underneath and around the site to be contained in a bathtub-type containment.

Abstract: An apparatus for building a horizontal underground barrier by cutting through soil and depositing a slurry, preferably one which cures into a hardened material. The apparatus includes a digging means for cutting and removing soil to create a void under the surface of the ground, a shield means for maintaining the void, and injection means for inserting barrier-forming material into the void. In one embodiment, the digging means is a continuous cutting chain. Mounted on the continuous cutting chain are cutter teeth for cutting through soil and discharge paddles for removing the loosened soil. This invention includes a barrier placement machine, a method for building an underground horizontal containment barrier using the barrier placement machine, and the underground containment system. Preferably the underground containment barrier goes underneath and around the site to be contained in a bathtub-type containment.

Abstract: A trenching apparatus comprises a boom assembly having a lower end mounted on a support base and an upper end connected to a boom mounting bracket which is joined by a coupler to a digger arm operative to form a trench alongside the support base following a trench line. Linear actuators are carried by the boom mounting bracket, the coupler and the digger arm to manipulate the digger arm about an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis which are mutually perpendicular. Other linear actuators vertically raise and lower the boom assembly, and pivot it in an arc-shaped path relative to the support base, in the course of a trenching operation.

Abstract: Towed apparatus for excavating, pulverizing, and throwing soil to halt the spread of a forest fire. The apparatus comprises two series of rotating disks mounted to a first frame, each series driven by a hydraulic motor, for loosening the soil and pulverizing it into soil particles, followed by plowshares for funneling the resulting soil particles into a mound directly in the path of a spinner rotatably secured within a housing and having a plurality of fins attached thereto that scoop portions of the soil particles from the mound and throw them through a hole in the housing. Each disk in the series of disks has teeth secured about its peripheral edge for loosening the soil, pulverizing it and cutting and grinding roots, stumps and friable rock. The first frame is connected to a wheeled second frame by hydraulic cylinders to raise and lower the first frame with respect to the soil so that the series of disks can engage and be disengaged the soil to the depth desired.