Abstract: A trenching apparatus comprises a boom assembly mounted on a support base which carries a digger arm operative to form a trench alongside the support base following a trench line. The boom assembly includes an inner boom, pivotally connected to a manipulator head which carries the digger arm, and an outer boom pivotally anchored to the support base. The inner boom is slidable within the outer boom by operation of a pair of linear actuators each having an actuator housing mounted to the outer boom, and an actuator rod connected to the end of the inner boom. Mounting structure is provided for securing the linear actuators to the boom assembly which permits at least limited movement of such actuators relative to the boom assembly, and which substantially dampens vibrations and reduces bending and lateral forces transmitted through the boom assembly, so that damage and wear to the linear actuators is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A composite drywell, a drywell system and method employing the composite drywell, which composite drywell comprises a cylindrical drywell having a removable top and bottom section, the drywell composed of a plurality of separate, edge-interlocked, arcuate sections which together form the cylindrical wall of the drywell, each arcuate section having a one side edge with a opening extending substantially the length of the side edge and the other side edge having a beaded side edge extending substantially the length of the arcuate section, the beaded edge of the arcuate section adapted to fit in an interlocking, receiving relationship into the other side edge opening of the adjacent arcuate section so as to have all arcuate sections interlocked to form a cylindrical drywell wall.

Abstract: A trencher for mounting on a conventional three point hitch of a tractor. The trencher is driven from the power takeoff of the tractor and uses the hydraulic system of the tractor to operate a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the boom and digging chain of the trencher. A power transmission system is provided using interchangeable belts and pulleys for selectively changing drive ratios for driving the digging chain. The boom is telescoping and can be lengthened to achieve a deeper digging depth through turning of an adjustment rod. The boom is spring-loaded for absorbing shocks delivered by the chain to the boom.

Abstract: An excavator for constructing an underground continuous wall includes a traveling trolley movable on rails and having a sprocket in mesh with a rack extended parallelly to the rails and a hydraulic motor for driving the sprocket. The trolley further includes an upper frame arranged thereon and having a tiltable frame tiltable relative to the upper frame and a saddle provided on the tiltable frame slidable on the tiltable frame in directions substantially perpendicular to the rails. An extensible guide post is provided upward and downward movably relative to the tiltable frame. An endless chain extends around a chain driving wheel provided on the saddle and a chain sprocket provided at the lower end of the guide post, and a number of cutter bits and a number of agitator bars are alternately arranged on the endless chain to form an endless chain cutter. A chain driving device is provided for driving the endless chain.

Abstract: An improved plow attachment includes a mounting plate for mounting to a front end loader bucket or other primary tool or implement; a plow blade; hinge means swingably interconnecting the plow blade and the mounting plate for enabling the plow blade to move between an extended position generally parallel with the front of the bucket and a retracted position generally alongside the bucket; and brace means for securing the plow blade in the extended position.

Abstract: A panel lifting insert to be used in combination with a lifting apparatus to lift pre-cast panels and move them from one point to another. The lifting insert comprises a body with an aperture formed therein which is embedded within the pre-cast panel. Attached to the body are a pair of spaced apart legs with one end of the legs being attached to the body and the second ends being attached to one another to form a U-shaped portion. The legs are curved back upon themselves proximal to the U-shaped portion to form a hook. The hook is used to attach the lifting insert to a segment of a reinforcing means that is embedded within the panel. A lifting attachment is then connected to the aperture in the body to provide a means for connecting a lifting apparatus to the panel lifting insert and thus to the panel itself.

Abstract: A method for treating the soil in a performance arena. An effective amount of a treatment composition is applied to the soil in a performance area in the performance arena. The treatment composition is a water absorbing substance having a slow water releasing capability whereby the treatment composition absorbs water and slowly releases the absorb water for substantially reducing dust resulting in performance activities. The treatment composition in a preferred form is a gel-forming, water absorbing polymer or, more particularly, a crosslinked polyacrylamide polymer. The method particularly is directed to treating the performance area in an animal arena such as an indoor or outdoor facility where horse shows or rodeos or the like occur.

Abstract: An anchor for boring into a deformable substance which includes an elongate shaft adapted for disposition in the deformable substance is provided. The anchor has proximal and distal end portions and a central longitudinal axis. A handle is carried by the proximal end portion for causing rotation of the shaft about the axis. A drive screw is carried by the distal end portion for moving the shaft in opposite first and second longitudinal directions when the shaft is rotated in respective opposite first and second rotational directions about the axis. The anchor also includes a disengagement assembly carried by the shaft for deactivating the drive screw so that the shaft can rotate relatively freely without longitudinal movement thereof. The drive screw has an outer surface with a helical screw thread formed thereon and is rotatably mounted to the shaft distal end portion for rotation about the axis.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus and a method for its control maintains the alignment of a drill head while driving a tunnel. The control is achieved by manipulating the center of gravity of a drill bit unit with respect to a line determined by two supporting points of a protecting tube which are the sole points of the protecting tube supported against the tunnel bottom.

Abstract: An integral combination of column and pile for use in building structures in a sandy soil. The method of formation is to provide a ground situs of suitable depth and width formed preferably by an hydraulic-powered auger. The situs is then filled with a cementitious slurry. A reinforced precast concrete column is provided having reinforcing bars extending a substantial length out of its bottom. The exposed bars are inserted into the slurry until the column merges with the slurry. Upon the hardening of the slurry, the result is an integral column and pile set into the ground.

Abstract: An automatic evacuation drilling bucket comprises a follower formed with a working space for receiving a blade member which is capable of coming in contact with an osculating arm, the working space having upper, lower, transition and receiving compartments. If the blade member is located in the upper and lower compartments, the blade member is engaged with the follower when a drive shaft member is rotated in the normal and reverse directions. If the blade member is urged to move into the receiving compartment through the transition compartment, the blade member comes in contact with the osculating arm when the drive shaft member is rotated in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A trenching apparatus having a digger arm operative to form a trench along a trench line includes a lower end which mounts a digging and propulsion unit having an upper and lower group of sprockets which are vertically spaced from one another and carry chains having digger teeth mounted thereto. Structure is provided to increase the relative spacing between the upper and lower sprockets, while the chains remain in engagement therewith to increase tension in the chains as they wear and a number of scraper blades are mounted in position relative to the sprockets and the shafts which carry them to prevent the buildup of soil, concrete, rocks or other foreign material thereon and thus ensure smooth operation of the digging and propulsion unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ex situ remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, comprising the excavation of the soil from its in situ position and forming a covered pile of loosened soil, at the base of which an array of a plurality of hot air inlet conduits are located. At least one array of a plurality of gas take-off conduits are situated at one or more higher level(s) in the pile. Heated air is injected into the inlet conduits at the base of the pile and allowed to percolate up through the soil to remove the hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds as hydrocarbon vapor entrained process gas. This process gas is drawn off by applying a negative pressure to the take-off conduits. The drawn-off process gases are then passed through a gas burner which thermally oxidizes the hydrocarbons and organic compounds. The heat generated from the gas burner is exchanged with ambient inlet air to provide the hot air used to inject into the base soil pile.

Abstract: A specific structure of construction to be implemented at the bottom part of a raft foundation to reduce the upward water pressure of the raft foundation bottom or to control the water pressure. An artificial drainage bed structure is constructed at the raft foundation bottom plate, comprising an artificial filter layer, artificial drainage latticed network, water filter/collecting pipe, non-permeable fabric, overflow drain pipe and other elements to reduce and control the impact of a floating force or an excessively large water pressure on the raft foundation bottom plate which is likely to occur during the course of construction.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a tooth assembly used with excavating and digging buckets such as those found in draglines, backhoes and the like. Such tooth assemblies include a top portion (such as a wear cap), a nose protruding beyond the portion and a digging tip. The tip has high-hardness upper and lower exterior wear surfaces and a sharp-edged tip end for biting into earth, mineral and rock. Either embodiment of the improved assembly involves mounting parts (a tip or tip and sleeve) directly on the nose. In one improved assembly, a sleeve is interposed between the tip and the portion and includes high-hardness wear surfaces extending between tip and portion. The tooth and sleeve cooperate to substantially entirely shroud the nose. In another version having no sleeve, the tip includes high-hardness active digging surfaces extending substantially entirely rather than only partially between the portion and the tip end.

Abstract: A moisture sensing device (2) operating according to the tensiometer principle which in the case of complete drying out emits the same signal as on reaching the maximum moisture content, in the case of complete drying out emits a signal corresponding to that with the minimum, set moisture content. A drying out prevention means (40) provided for this operates with the same contactor (24) and is operated by the same control member (18) as the sensing device (2) in normal operation. The switching point for the drying out prevention means (40) can be adjusted by means of an adjusting device (48). However, the water supply is switched on by the signal emitted on drying out.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for easily installing and effectively launching pipeline pigs into a subsea or other underwater pipeline accessible to a diver.

Abstract: A continual digging, transporting, and loading accessory can handle material. The accessory is adapted for exchangeable attachment on earth or material moving equipment. The accessory includes a digger outwardly mounted on the earth or material moving equipment for digging the material. Also included is a transporter having an inward unloading end mounted on the earth or material moving equipment and an outward onloading end mounted adjacent to the digger for receiving and transporting the material dug by the digger. The transporter has a carrier for moving between the onloading end and the unloading end to carry the material. The accessory includes a loader having a loading end positioned to receive and transport away from the vehicle the material discharged from the unloading end of the transporter.

Abstract: Towed apparatus for excavating, pulverizing, and throwing soil to halt the spread of a forest fire. The apparatus comprises two series of rotating disks mounted to a first frame, each series driven by a hydraulic motor, for loosening the soil and pulverizing it into soil particles, followed by plowshares for funneling the resulting soil particles into a mound directly in the path of a spinner rotatably secured within a housing and having a plurality of fins attached thereto that scoop portions of the soil particles from the mound and throw them through a hole in the housing. Each disk in the series of disks has teeth secured about its peripheral edge for loosening the soil, pulverizing it and cutting and grinding roots, stumps and friable rock. The first frame is connected to a wheeled second frame by hydraulic cylinders to raise and lower the first frame with respect to the soil so that the series of disks can engage and be disengaged the soil to the depth desired.

Abstract: A track system for launching and retrieving a boat carried on a trailer having two laterally spaced back wheels and having a front wheel which is centered laterally with respect to the back wheels. The system includes two laterally spaced tracks for guiding the back wheels of the trailer and further includes a laterally centered and forwardly projecting track for guiding the front wheel of the trailer. The tracks are adapted to be laid on a bank to establish a smooth and compliant surface enabling the trailer to be backed quickly and easily down the bank and into the water for purposes of launching the boat and also to enable the trailer to be easily pulled up the bank during retrieval of the boat. The tracks are tied together by and are adjustable laterally along longitudinally spaced bars. Also, the tracks are made in sections adapted to be coupled together to form a track system of desired length.