Abstract: A tooth assembly having an adapter, a tooth, and a pin. The adapter and the tooth each have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the adapter is adapted to be combined with an earth-digging implement. The second portion of the adapter is adapted to be combined with the tooth. The second portion of the adapter has an opening adapted to receive an engagement member extending from the second portion of the tooth. The first portion of the tooth is adapted to engage the material being displaced by the implement and the second portion is adapted to be combined with the adapter. The second portion of the tooth has an opening adapted to receive an engagement member extending from the second portion of the adapter. The pin is inserted through openings in both the adapter and the tooth to secure the two components together during operation.

Abstract: A tooth assembly having an adapter, a tooth, and a pin. The adapter and the tooth each have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the adapter is adapted to be combined with an earth-digging implement. The second portion of the adapter is adapted to be combined with the tooth. The second portion of the adapter has an opening adapted to receive an engagement member extending from the second portion of the tooth. The first portion of the tooth is adapted to engage the material being displaced by the implement and the second portion is adapted to be combined with the adapter. The second portion of the tooth has an opening adapted to receive an engagement member extending from the second portion of the adapter. The pin is inserted through openings in both the adapter and the tooth to secure the two components together during operation.

Abstract: A tooth assembly having an adapter, a tooth, and a pin. The adapter and the tooth each have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the adapter is adapted to be combined with an earth-digging implement. The second portion of the adapter is adapted to be combined with the tooth. The second portion of the adapter has an opening adapted to receive an engagement member extending from the second portion of the tooth. The first portion of the tooth is adapted to engage the material being displaced by the implement and the second portion is adapted to be combined with the adapter. The second portion of the tooth has an opening adapted to receive an engagement member extending from the second portion of the adapter. The pin is inserted through openings in both the adapter and the tooth to secure the two components together during operation.

Abstract: An adjustable coupler includes a frame, a first bracket, and a second bracket. One or both of the first bracket and the second bracket are slidably combined with the frame along a slot formed in the frame. A fastener extends from each bracket and is received into the slot allowing the bracket to slide along the frame. The fastener also serves to securely fasten the bracket to the frame after it is moved to its desired position. The slidable engagement of the brackets with the frame allows the distance between the brackets to be selectively changed allowing them to be secured to different types and sizes of mobile attachment devices. The frame further includes an attachment opening adapted to receive a pin for connecting a motor or prime mover vehicle with the adjustable coupler.

Abstract: An auger attachment system having a collar combined with an auger and one or more couplers each having a first end and a second end. The coupler first end is adapted to operatively combine with the output drive shaft of an engine suitable for rotating an auger. Each coupler has a different size and/or geometry at their respective first ends to allow each coupler to combine with a drive shaft having the corresponding size and geometry. The coupler second end is adapted to combine with the collar thereby allowing a single auger to be used with multiple drive shafts, each having a different size and/or geometry.

Abstract: A drilling bucket adapted to combine with a prime mover vehicle such as an excavator. The drilling bucket includes a floor pivotally combined with the bucket. The floor has an open position wherein collected spoils are emptied from the bucket and a closed position for retaining spoils in the bucket during operation. A release assembly is adapted to securely hold the floor in its closed position until it is actuated to release it to its open position. Some embodiments of the drilling bucket comprise two separate internal cavities. The first cavity is adapted to receive the spoils as the bucket is rotated beneath the ground by the prime mover vehicle. The second cavity is adapted to house portions of the release assembly. The second cavity may serve as a vent which allows air to pass the bucket as the bucket is being raised or lowered in a hole.

Abstract: A drilling bucket adapted to combine with a prime mover vehicle such as an excavator. The drilling bucket includes a floor pivotally combined with the bucket. The floor has an open position wherein collected spoils are emptied from the bucket and a closed position for retaining spoils in the bucket during operation. A release assembly is adapted to securely hold the floor in its closed position until it is actuated to release it to its open position. Some embodiments of the drilling bucket comprise two separate internal cavities. The first cavity is adapted to receive the spoils as the bucket is rotated beneath the ground by the prime mover vehicle. The second cavity is adapted to house portions of the release assembly. The second cavity may serve as a vent which allows air to pass the bucket as the bucket is being raised or lowered in a hole.

Abstract: An auger generally comprising a shaft having flighting which is helically wound around the shaft to convey spoil to the surface of the area being excavated. The shaft has a first end and a second end. The shaft first end is adapted to be combined with and rotated by a drilling machine. The shaft second end is adapted to be removably combined with a boring head and one or more drilling elements to bore through the ground. The invention comprises two interchangeable boring heads. A first boring head is adapted to drill through soft ground conditions such as dirt or clay and a second boring head adapted to drill through hard ground conditions such as rock.

Abstract: An excavating tooth assembly comprising a tooth holder and a tooth which are attachable together. The tooth includes a pair of prongs which are inserted into a pair of receptacles in the tooth holder and which embrace a web within the tooth holder. A pair of resilient members are attached either to the prongs or to the web and are compressed between the prongs and the web to aid in frictionally securing the tooth to the tooth holder.

Abstract: A pilot bit is provided with an elongated body member and three blades that extend radially from and spirally along the body member. As compared to conventional two bladed pilot bits, the outer edge and leading tip of the third blade removes additional spoil which increases penetration rates. The pilot bit also includes an adapter which is inserted in an auger shaft and releasably secured thereto with a fastener, such as a bolt. The adapter includes a surface that cooperates with a key that is secured to the auger shaft to take the torque load off the bolt. In this manner, deformation of the auger shaft bolt holes and bolt fatigue is minimized.

Abstract: An excavating tooth includes an aperture for bolting the tooth to a shank plate and a lug configured to provide a friction fit in a recess formed in the shank plate. The bolt and lug combination prevent relative movement between the tooth and shank plate. In addition, tooth load is absorbed in the shank plate through the connection between the lug and shank plate, thereby reducing the stress transferred through the bolt.

Abstract: An auger is provided with a boring head having an arrangement for cutting relatively hard earth formations such as rock. First and second groups of drill bits are mounted to the boring head such that when the head is rotated, each bit in those groups cuts a different path at a different height to provide more than 100% coverage of the work surface being cut, while stabilizing the auger by distributing the down force of the auger over the entire work surface. The drill bits also are orientated to ensure bit rotation at relatively large attack angles (the angle the bit forms with the work surface therebeneath) of about 50.degree.-60.degree. to enhance auger penetration rates without detracting from the bit sharpening effect that results from proper bit rotation.

Abstract: A reversible tooth includes alternate surfaces mounting to a shank plate. The surfaces are constructed so that the attack angle of the tooth, i.e., the angle at which the tooth penetrates the earth, is changed by turning the tooth over and alternating the mounting surface secured to the shank plate.

Abstract: An auger is provided with a boring head having an arrangement for cutting relatively hard earth formations such as rock. First and second groups of drill bits are mounted to the boring head such that when the head is rotated, each bit in those groups cuts a different path at a different height to provide more than 100% coverage of the work surface being cut, while stabilizing the auger by distributing the down force of the auger over the entire work surface. The drill bits also are orientated to ensure bit rotation at relatively large attack angles (the angle the bit forms with the work surface therebeneath) of about 50.degree.-60.degree. to enhance auger penetration rates without detracting from the bit sharpening effect that results from proper bit rotation.

Abstract: An elongated resilient retainer is positioned between an excavating tooth and tooth holder such that the tooth and tooth holder compress and, thus, deform the retainer to frictionally secure the tooth to the tooth holder. The resilient retainer includes ribs that extend longitudinally along its outer surface. These ribs are circumferentially spaced such that when the retainer is under compression, the ribs engage and grip the upper and lower edges of the tooth adjacent thereto. In this way, the area of surface contact between the resilient retainer and the surface between which it is compressed is augmented to more securely hold the tooth in the tooth holder.