Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling machine includes a drill string rotational drive unit having an output member configured to connect with and selectively drive rotation of a drill string, the rotational drive unit including a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic circuit has a configuration that puts the motor in a drive mode to apply torque and a second configuration that puts the motor in a freewheel mode disabled from applying torque. The hydraulic circuit includes a first fluid flow path for connecting the hydraulic motor through a first rotary ball valve to one of an inlet side and an outlet side of a drive pump, and a second fluid flow path for selectively connecting the hydraulic motor through a second rotary ball valve to the other side of the drive pump. In the first configuration, there is no pressure drop across the first and second rotary ball valves.

Abstract: Hydro excavation vacuum apparatus that process spoil material onboard the apparatus by separating water from the cut earthen material are disclosed.

Abstract: Self-propelled vehicles for supporting and operating a device are disclosed. Example devices include agricultural devices. The vehicle includes mounting arms that allow the device to be extended forward or rearward of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the device is releasably coupleable to the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes rear drive wheels and front caster wheels.

Abstract: A drill string joint includes a box end member defining, at a first axial end thereof, a first bore and a second deeper bore of smaller cross section than the first bore. A pin end member defines a first insertion portion corresponding to the first bore and a second insertion portion corresponding to the second bore. A conical tapered surface interface is defined between the second insertion portion and the second bore. Cross pins extend through apertures formed through the box end member, at the first bore, and the first insertion portion, within an axial span of the joint separate from an axial span in which the conical tapered surface interface of the second insertion portion and the second bore is defined. A torque coupling is established between the box end member and the pin end member at an axial position between the separate axial spans.

Abstract: A material reduction machine includes a prime mover driving a cutting mechanism. A drive system receives a signal to initiate rotation of a cutting mechanism. A sensor senses a machine load parameter and reports a signal to a controller operatively coupled to the clutch to control sequential engagement cycles from the engine to the cutting mechanism. The controller utilizes a stored first disengagement threshold value for stopping a first engagement cycle and continues monitoring the signal as the machine load parameter increases momentarily after reaching the first disengagement threshold. The controller determines and adopts a second disengagement threshold value based on observation of the machine load parameter indicative of maximum load during the continued monitoring after the first disengagement threshold is realized, and further being based on a stored correction factor. The second disengagement threshold value is used for a second engagement cycle.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling machine includes a frame providing a base, a rack movable to different drilling angles with respect to the base, and a carriage having a rotating assembly for engaging a drill rod, the carriage being movable along the rack to drive the drill rod into the ground. The horizontal directional drilling machine further includes an operator lift including an operator area provided alongside the rack and being adjustable for height with respect to the rack to provide access to the carriage for wireline operations. The operator lift is supported by at least one frame element of the frame.

Abstract: Mixing systems and methods that include a mixer housing and one or more disk assemblies for mixing and processing materials is disclosed. The disks rotate to mix an additive into the material and to carry agglomerated solids toward a discharge of the mixing system. The disks may have a plurality of fingers or lobes which extend from a central portion of the disks.

Abstract: A material reduction machine includes an infeed portion operable to receive material to be reduced, and a cutting mechanism operable to reduce material fed in from the infeed portion. An outlet chute has a first end operable to receive the material reduced by the cutting mechanism and a second end operable to discharge the reduced material from the machine, wherein the outlet chute extends along a curved path. The outlet chute includes, along a radially-inner side of the curved path, a foraminous interior wall providing communication with a sound attenuation layer.

Abstract: A collection tank for a mobile vacuum excavator includes a front with a closed end, a rear with an open end, a door configured to be closed over the open end, and a linkage assembly having a first end attached to the door and a second end attached to the body. A first pivotal movement drives the first end and second end away from each other, and a second pivotal movement moves the first end and the second end toward each other. An actuator is attached to the first arm and to the second arm so that actuation of the actuator in a first direction drives the first pivotal movement and actuation of the actuator in a second direction drives the second arm the second pivotal movement.

Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a pump to pressurize and output hydraulic fluid, an electric motor selectively driving the pump, and a controller to selectively control a target speed of the electric motor based on input from an operator control. A proportional directional control valve is in the load circuit and communicates with the pump and the controller. The proportional directional control valve controls a flow of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator associated with the load circuit such that the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator is proportional to a signal provided by the controller. The signal is a function of the input from the operator control. Flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator through the proportional directional control valve is varied by the controller making a) variations of the target speed of the motor, and b) variations of the signal to the proportional directional control valve.

Abstract: Shaker assemblies for dewatering slurries are disclosed. The shaker assemblies may include a positioning device which limits movement of the vibratory frame of the shaker assembly relative to a subframe when the vibratory frame is moved from a raised operating position to a lowered position. The positioning device may guide the vibratory frame as it is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position. In some embodiments, the shaker assembly includes a locking device for locking the vibratory frame to the subframe when the vibratory frame is in the lowered position.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling machine includes a drill string rotational drive unit having an output member configured to connect with and selectively drive rotation of a drill string, the rotational drive unit including a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic circuit has a configuration that puts the motor in a drive mode to apply torque and a second configuration that puts the motor in a freewheel mode disabled from applying torque. The hydraulic circuit includes a first fluid flow path for connecting the hydraulic motor through a first rotary ball valve to one of an inlet side and an outlet side of a drive pump, and a second fluid flow path for selectively connecting the hydraulic motor through a second rotary ball valve to the other side of the drive pump. In the first configuration, there is no pressure drop across the first and second rotary ball valves.

Abstract: Mainframes for a self-propelled machine are disclosed. The mainframe includes first and second pockets that extend from the front end to the rear end of the mainframe. A hydraulic reservoir housing extends from the first side to the second side of the mainframe. The hydraulic reservoir housing is disposed between the front end of the mainframe and first and second drive openings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wrap material feed system of a round baler for forming crop material into a cylindrical bale. The wrap material feed system comprises a first roller, a second roller, a bale formation belt, and a feed pan oriented from a first end adjacent the first roller to a second end adjacent the second roller and a feed pan positioning mechanism oriented to bias the feed pan into engagement with each of the first and second rollers and the bale formation belt. The feed pan comprises one or more runners, at least one guide plate, one or more skid plates, and one or more fasteners comprising a fastener head. The fastener head is positioned at the second end such that a vector representing a first normal force at the second roller intersects the fastener head.

Abstract: Hydro excavation vacuum apparatus that process spoil material onboard the apparatus by separating water from the cut earthen material are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering slurries having relatively high solids content such as earthen slurries are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more transducer devices configured for acoustic spectroscopy and/or electroacoustic spectroscopy are used to determine a parameter related to the particle size distribution (e.g., specific surfaced area) and/or zeta potential of the slurry.

Abstract: Systems for reducing or preventing pluggage of spoil material in an excavation vacuum apparatus wherein the pluggage prevention system of the excavation vacuum apparatus may trigger one or more mitigation operations (e.g., addition of water through spray nozzles) to loosen the build-up of spoil material and/or to at least partially shut down the excavation vacuum apparatus to prevent more material being fed to the system.