Abstract: An apparatus for unwinding underground cables includes a framework chassis which is open ended and open bottomed and rests on the ground such as a trench bottom. Mounted on the chassis are horizontal support rollers which support the horizontal cable as it is propelled through the chassis by a peripherally grooved driven pulley applied against the upper side of the cable. The pulley is driven about a horizontal axis by an electric motor via a gearbox. The chassis carries vertical guide rollers on either side of the cable to constrain it to a given path. The guide rollers on one side are movable to permit release of the cable from that path when a support arm carrying the pulley, gearbox and motor is pivoted upwardly, by manual action on a pivotable handle, to lift the pulley off the cable.

Abstract: A motorized shovel comprises a carriage which may be provided with wheels to enable it to negotiate the ground and is formed with an upright pole carrying an arm adapted to overhang the operator. The arm is swingable about a vertical axis to follow the movements of an operator and carries a pneumatic-motor-driven winch drum adapted to pay out and retract a cable depending from the free end of the arm. The cable is anchored to a shovel unit whose handle is provided with a handle bar adapted to be gripped by the operator. Controls on the handle bar regulate the operation of the winch and of a pneumatic vibrator interposed between the handle and the shovel blade. Flexible conduits run along the downwardly extending stretch of the cable to connect the pneumatic controls to the winch.