Abstract: A trowel for finishing a material surface includes a blade assembly having a blade configured to finish the material surface and a pitch mechanism coupled to the blade and defining a first axis about which the pitch mechanism is rotatable. As the pitch mechanism rotates about the first axis, the pitch mechanism pivots the blade about the first axis. A handle is operably coupled to the blade assembly and extends along a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The handle is rotatable about the second axis and rotation of the handle about the second axis causes rotation of the pitch mechanism about the first axis and pivoting of the blade.

Abstract: A trowel for finishing a material surface includes a blade configured to finish the material surface. A pitch angle is defined between the blade and the material surface, and a frame has a motor is coupled thereto. The motor rotates the blade about a first axis. A fork is pivotably coupled to the frame about a second axis such that pivoting of the fork about the second axis changes the pitch angle. An actuator is coupled to the frame and operable to pivot the fork. An input device is operable to control the actuator, and the input device is configured to be operated to thereby actuate the actuator and change the pitch angle of the blade.

Abstract: A percussion action pneumatic tool for compacting backfill areas including a vibration isolator and a percussion mechanism. The vibration isolator includes an inner shaft and an outer sleeve attached to a pair of springs. The springs dampen vibration or feedback transferred from the percussion mechanism to the outer sleeve and felt by the operator. The percussion mechanism includes a pair of elbows and an air conduit which allows the airflow to move through a second flow path into a second air space when the valve assembly directs the airflow through the second flow path.

Abstract: A percussion action pneumatic tool for compacting backfill areas including a vibration isolator and a percussion mechanism. The vibration isolator includes an inner shaft and an outer sleeve attached to a pair of springs. The springs dampen vibration or feedback transferred from the percussion mechanism to the outer sleeve and felt by the operator. The percussion mechanism includes a pair of elbows and an air conduit which allows the airflow to move through a second flow path into a second air space when the valve assembly directs the airflow through the second flow path.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a power tool includes a main handle having a first end configured to couple to the power tool and a handle bar having a first end coupled to the main handle. The handle bar has an isolation bushing positioned at a first vibration dampening point and configured to dampen vibrations transmitted between the main handle and the handle bar. A vibration dampening assembly couples the handle bar to the main handle at a second vibration dampening point and is configured to further dampen vibrations transmitted between the main handle and the handle bar. The vibration dampening assembly includes a collar that encircles the main handle and a pair of annular resilient member positioned between the collar and the main handle.

Abstract: A percussion action pneumatic tool for compacting backfill areas including a vibration isolator and a percussion mechanism. The vibration isolator includes an inner shaft and an outer sleeve attached to a pair of springs. The springs dampen vibration or feedback transferred from the percussion mechanism to the outer sleeve and felt by the operator. The percussion mechanism includes a pair of elbows and an air conduit which allows the airflow to move through a second flow path into a second air space when the valve assembly directs the airflow through the second flow path.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a power tool includes a main handle having a first end configured to couple to the power tool and a handle bar having a first end coupled to the main handle. The handle bar has an isolation bushing positioned at a first vibration dampening point and configured to dampen vibrations transmitted between the main handle and the handle bar. A vibration dampening assembly couples the handle bar to the main handle at a second vibration dampening point and is configured to further dampen vibrations transmitted between the main handle and the handle bar. The vibration dampening assembly includes a collar that encircles the main handle and a pair of annular resilient member positioned between the collar and the main handle.

Abstract: A vibratory compaction plate utilizes pairs of front and rear shock absorbing mounts, each pair of which is set at a different angle with respect to the horizontal plate to optimize the respective shear and compression capabilities and optimize performance. A front mounted vibratory exciter and a rear mounted engine provide different performance capabilities that are optimized by the mounting angles. A flat sheet metal plate and sheet metal frame permit the angles at which the shock mounts are oriented to be adjusted along laterally extending end lines to fine tune performance.

Abstract: A percussion action pneumatic tool for compacting backfill areas including a vibration isolator and a percussion mechanism. The vibration isolator includes an inner shaft and an outer sleeve attached to a pair of springs. The springs dampen vibration or feedback transferred from the percussion mechanism to the outer sleeve and felt by the operator. The percussion mechanism includes a pair of elbows and an air conduit which allows the airflow to move through a second flow path into a second air space when the valve assembly directs the airflow through the second flow path.

Abstract: A vibratory compaction plate utilizes pairs of front and rear shock absorbing mounts, each pair of which is set at a different angle with respect to the horizontal plate to optimize the respective shear and compression capabilities and optimize performance. A front mounted vibratory exciter and a rear mounted engine provide different performance capabilities that are optimized by the mounting angles. A flat sheet metal plate and sheet metal frame permit the angles at which the shock mounts are oriented to be adjusted along laterally extending end lines to fine tune performance.

Abstract: A drive train assembly for a ride-on twin rotor concrete finishing machine mounts the main clutch and drive belt arrangement at an unobstructed location on a gear box at one end of the supporting frame where it is readily accessible for changing the drive belt without disassembly of the main drive shaft while maintaining a centrally located engine.

Abstract: A vibratory percussion rammer includes a gear box, a percussion delivery unit extending downwardly from the gear box, and one or more slide bearings disposed in the percussion delivery unit between adjacent surfaces of reciprocating metal components. The slide bearings are made from a sheet of plastic material that is curved into the shape of a tube having a C-shape in cross section and define an open seam extending the entire length of the slide bearing. Slide bearings according to this design can be disposed in the percussion delivery unit to eliminate some or all of the metal-on-metal contact between reciprocating components, including between the ram and shaft assembly and spring box and the guide cylinder, the spring separator and the spring box, and the shaft of a ram and shaft assembly and an upper end of the spring box. The seam width of any slide bearing is wider than the anticipated width-wise thermal expansion of the slide bearing during normal operation.

Abstract: Vibratory percussion rammers and methods of making vibratory percussion rammers are provided. In one example, a vibratory percussion rammer includes a gear box, a percussion delivery unit extending downwardly from the gear box, and one or more slide bearings disposed in the percussion delivery unit between adjacent surfaces of reciprocating metal components. The slide bearings include a sheet of non-metal material that is curved into the shape of a tube having a C-shape in cross section. Slide bearings according to this design can be disposed in the percussion delivery unit to eliminate some or all of the metal-on-metal contact between reciprocating components, including between the ram and shaft assembly, spring box and the guide cylinder, the spring separator and the spring box, and the shaft of a ram and shaft assembly and an upper end of the spring box.

Abstract: A vibratory percussion rammer includes a gear box, a percussion delivery unit extending downwardly from the gear box, and one or more slide bearings disposed in the percussion delivery unit between adjacent surfaces of reciprocating metal components. The slide bearings are made from a sheet of plastic material that is curved into the shape of a tube having a C-shape in cross section and define an open seam extending the entire length of the slide bearing. Slide bearings according to this design can be disposed in the percussion delivery unit to eliminate some or all of the metal-on-metal contact between reciprocating components, including between the ram and shaft assembly and spring box and the guide cylinder, the spring separator and the spring box, and the shaft of a ram and shaft assembly and an upper end of the spring box. The seam width of any slide bearing is wider than the anticipated width-wise thermal expansion of the slide bearing during normal operation.

Abstract: A vibratory exciter apparatus can be interchangeably connected to a variety of diverse vibratory compaction and other earth-working vibratory tools and includes a vibration-isolating connection link to tool carriers of varying sizes. A vibratory exciter housing is isolated from the connector link and from the carrying tool to which the link is attached by a primary elastomer isolator group which is, in turn, protected from damaging overload in a vertical downward direction by a secondary elastomeric isolator sheet and from damaging vertical load in an upward direction by a tertiary elastomeric isolator sheet. The connecting link utilizes adjustable bushing assemblies to accommodate dimensional differences from one boom manufacturer to another. The vibratory exciter unit includes heat-reducing shrouds for the rotary eccentric weights.

Abstract: A slide hammer for driving a probe into the ground includes a probe lifting and removal arrangement in which a slide hammer tube is pivoted away from the probe to function as a lever operating with a clutch arrangement to incrementally withdraw the probe from the ground. A biasing arrangement using a coil spring is operative to hold the anvil in a locked probe driving position, to facilitate release of the tube from the locking position for pivotal movement to the probe removal position, to bias a clutch disk to a release position with respect to the pin, to facilitate incremental lifting contact between the clutch disk and the pin, and to return the tube to a subsequent incremental lifting position.

Abstract: A slide hammer for driving a probe into the ground includes a probe lifting and removal arrangement in which a slide hammer tube is pivoted away from the probe to function as a lever operating with a clutch arrangement to incrementally withdraw the probe from the ground. A biasing arrangement using a coil spring is operative to hold the anvil in a locked probe driving position, to facilitate release of the tube from the locking position for pivotal movement to the probe removal position, to bias a clutch disk to a release position with respect to the pin, to facilitate incremental lifting contact between the clutch disk and the pin, and to return the tube to a subsequent incremental lifting position.

Abstract: Vibratory percussion rammers and methods of making vibratory percussion rammers are provided. In one example, a vibratory percussion rammer includes a gear box, a percussion delivery unit extending downwardly from the gear box, and one or more slide bearings disposed in the percussion delivery unit between adjacent surfaces of reciprocating metal components. The slide bearings include a sheet of non-metal material that is curved into the shape of a tube having a C-shape in cross section. Slide bearings according to this design can be disposed in the percussion delivery unit to eliminate some or all of the metal-on-metal contact between reciprocating components, including between the ram and shaft assembly, spring box and the guide cylinder, the spring separator and the spring box, and the shaft of a ram and shaft assembly and an upper end of the spring box.

Abstract: A vibration isolation assembly is provided for use with a backfill tamper. In use, the vibration isolation assembly can be disposed between a handle and a percussion mechanism of the tamper and absorbs kickback forces from the percussion mechanism during backfill tamper operation. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an elongated conduit member that defines a passageway that allows compressed air to pass through the member to the percussion mechanism and a vibration dampening piston arrangement for absorbing feedback forces from the percussion mechanism during backfill tamper operation. The assembly may further include a spring arrangement for dampening vibration emanating from the piston.

Abstract: A screed bar for a vibratory concrete screed is formed from a long hollow extrusion having generally flat enclosing walls and defining in cross section two triangular sections that share a common interior wall.