Abstract: A method and device to navigate excavation towards a target buried in an excavatable material, for example excavation near an underground pipeline by excavation equipment. The device generally comprises indicating material arranged to be buried in the ground in proximity to the target. The indicating material is arranged to be frangible for permitting a portion of the indicating material to be removed from a remainder either by tearing, separation at separated sections or separation at perforated lines of severance. Different visual proximity indicators on the indicating material cause different sections of the indicating material to be visually distinct from one another corresponding to different degrees of proximity to the target. In use, the indicating material is placed in the ground and excavation towards the target results in portions of the material being removed. Proximity is indicated by associating which section a removed portion of the indicating material corresponds with.

Abstract: An indicator device is used for locating an underground object, for example an underground pipeline, prior to surrounding excavation by a bucket excavator. The device generally comprises a panel member buried in the ground directly above the object. The panel member includes a distance marker mechanism indicating distance to a bottom end of the panel member to provide an indication to an operator of a bucket excavator. The panel member is formed in vertically stacked sections permitting individual sections to be removed sequentially as digging progresses. Each section is formed of folded tearable material which can be both unfolded to produce an elongate visible banner or torn to provide further indication to the excavator operator with regard to distance to the object to be avoided.