Abstract: A machine for filling a trench. The machine comprises a tub, release assembly, and a hopper. The tub mixes a material to be filled into the trench. The release assembly releases the material into the hopper and the material flows from the hopper and into the trench. The machine moves parallel to the trench as the trench is being filled. A compactor assembly may follow behind the hopper and pack material into the trench. An operator controls the movement of the machine from an operator station on the machine.

Abstract: A trenching assembly used to cut a narrow trench in the ground surface. The trenching assembly comprises an attachment frame connected to a hood assembly via a linkage assembly. The attachment frame may be attached to the rear end of a work machine. A rotatable blade is disposed within a cavity defined by the hood assembly. The hood assembly may rotate about two different axes relative to the linkage assembly, and the linkage assembly may rotate about two different axes relative to the attachment frame. The trenching assembly uses a pair of accumulators to hydraulically rotate the linkage assembly about a horizontal axis relative to the frame in response changes in depth of the ground surface being cut by the blade. The linkage assembly may be hydraulically rotated using the accumulators without input from the operator.

Abstract: A system for uncovering a trench. The system comprises several subsystems, including a work machine and a frame for providing a seal with the surface to be trenched with a saw blade contained therein. The blade is supported on a hub which is slidably movable relative to the frame by operation of a linear actuator, which may be a hydraulic cylinder or the like. The vertical location of the blade within the frame is continuously adjustable to create a deeper or shallower trench. A monitoring system is provided to monitor the vertical location from an operator station.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a trench is formed from a housing and a cutting assembly at least partially positioned within the housing. The cutting assembly has a cutting wheel and a plurality of teeth extending from the periphery of the cutting wheel. The cutting wheel features a plurality of layers of cylindrical profile in which at least two of the layers have profiles with different diametrical dimensions. At least some of the teeth are positioned on different layers. A trench is formed by placing the apparatus on a surface of the ground and pushing or pulling the apparatus while the cutting assembly is rotated. In one configuration, at least one layer having a profile of larger diametrical dimension is situated between a pair of layers having profiles of smaller diametrical dimension. In such configuration, the apparatus cuts a t-shaped trench.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a drilling fluid reclaimer. The reclaimer has at least one adjustable screen assembly for providing a leveling filter for reclaimed drill fluid. Used drill fluid is placed at the screen assembly at the front the of the screen assembly. The at least one screen is vibrated to separate large particulate matter from liquid drilling fluid. A second screen is provided for additional filtering. Large particulate matter is expelled by a chute at the back of the screen assembly. Drilling fluid passing through the screen is “reclaimed” for use with a drilling system.

Abstract: A trenching assembly used to cut a narrow trench in the ground surface. The trenching assembly comprises an attachment frame connected to a hood assembly via a linkage assembly. The attachment frame may be attached to the rear end of a work machine. A rotatable blade is disposed within a cavity defined by the hood assembly. The hood assembly may rotate about two different axes relative to the linkage assembly, and the linkage assembly may rotate about two different axes relative to the attachment frame. The trenching assembly uses a pair of accumulators to hydraulically rotate the linkage assembly about a horizontal axis relative to the frame in response changes in depth of the ground surface being cut by the blade. The linkage assembly may be hydraulically rotated using the accumulators without input from the operator.

Abstract: An offloading vacuum system. The system has a tank to capture debris from an excavation site. The debris is pulled into the tank due to a blower pulling air into an attached hose. An internal conveyor within the tank conveys material to an offloading hub. The offloading hub has a ground-facing door which opens to deposit debris into an external conveyor. The external conveyor, when deployed, can move debris from below the tank to a dump container with a wall greater than a height of the tank.

Abstract: A vacuum system for use in excavation operations. The system uses a tank having an open end that is closed by a door. The door is opened and closed by a door lifting assembly made up of an upper linkage arm, a lower linkage arm and a hydraulic cylinder. A socket is formed in the upper linkage arm, and a shaft housing is formed in the lower linkage arm. The shaft housing engages with the socket to latch the door closed. The upper linkage arm is attached to the door at a first pivot axis and is attached to the lower linkage arm at a second pivot axis. The lower linkage arm is attached to a side of the tank at a third pivot axis. When the door is open, the second pivot axis extends below a reference plane that contains the first and third pivot axis.

Abstract: A machine for filling a trench comprises a tub, release assembly, and a hopper. The tub mixes a material to be filled into the trench. The release assembly releases the material into the hopper and the material flows from the hopper and into the trench. The machine moves parallel to the trench as the trench is being filled. An operator controls the movement of the machine from an operator station on the machine.

Abstract: A dual member drill string having a plurality of dual member drill string sections for use in horizontal directional drilling operations. Each drill string section having an outer member and an inner member that is rotatable independently of the outer member. The outer member has a pin end and a box end. The inner member has a pin end disposed within the pin end of the outer member and a box end disposed within the box end of the outer member.

Abstract: A hydraulic control for an attachment on a work vehicle. Power is provided to the attachment by manually actuating a control that is biased toward a first position. This first position corresponds to a deactuated mode of the attachment. By unlocking a lock mechanism, the control may be maintained in a second position under hand pressure. This second position corresponds to an actuated mode of the attachment. The lock mechanism may be actuated by an operator platform-actuated release mechanism. While an operator is on a platform on the vehicle, the lock mechanism remains unlocked, and the attachment maintains its operation without hand pressure on the control. The release mechanism actuates the lock mechanism when an operator is not on the platform. As a result, the attachment is deactuated. A filter may be utilized to prevent premature actuation of the release mechanism.

Abstract: A vacuum system for use in excavation operations. The system uses a tank having an open end that is closed by a door. The door is opened and closed by a door lifting assembly made up of an upper linkage arm, a lower linkage arm and a hydraulic cylinder. A socket is formed in the upper linkage arm, and a shaft housing is formed in the lower linkage arm. The shaft housing engages with the socket to latch the door closed. The upper linkage arm is attached to the door at a first pivot axis and is attached to the lower linkage arm at a second pivot axis. The lower linkage arm is attached to a side of the tank at a third pivot axis. When the door is open, the second pivot axis extends below a reference plane that contains the first and third pivot axis.

Abstract: A hydraulic control for an attachment on a work vehicle. The attachment is mounted on the chassis of the work vehicle and movable between a first position and a second position. A hydraulic cylinder is operable to power movement of the attachment. A fluid circuit communicates with the hydraulic cylinder and is configured to carry hydraulic fluid. A fluid reservoir is in communication with the fluid circuit. Accumulators that are in communication with the fluid circuit automatically store and release hydraulic fluid in response to movement of the attachment. A valve assembly controls fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluid circuit in response to movement of the attachment to its second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a vacuum tank door. The apparatus comprises a circular flange attached to a door panel of a vacuum tank, a horizontal crossbar connected to the center of the door panel and a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly comprises an upper linkage arm, a lower linkage arm, and a hydraulic cylinder. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder causes the linkage assembly to move downwards pulling on the horizontal crossbar and pulling the vacuum tank door towards the tank. Activation of the hydraulic cylinder also causes a connection point of the lower linkage arm and the upper linkage arm to move over-center of the connection between the lower linkage arm to the to the tank creating a tight seal between the vacuum tank door and the tank.

Abstract: A track assembly is formed from an endless track, an elongate guide member, a drive sprocket, and a plurality of track engaging rollers. The endless track has an inner surface having a plurality of parallel circumferential ridges. Formed between the circumferential ridges is a circumferential channel. The guide member is at least partially positioned and closely received within the circumferential channel. The track engaging rollers are arranged in a pair of parallel rows near an outer side of each circumferential ridge. During track rotation, the guide member remains closely received within the channel, and the rollers contact the outer side of the ridges to resist lateral movement of the track. Positioning of the guide member in the circumferential channel, with the rollers outside the ridges, laterally stabilizes the track thereby reducing the risk of the track slipping off the track assembly.

Abstract: A dual member drill string that has a plurality of dual member drill string sections, The drill string may be used in horizontal directional drilling operations. Each drill string section has an outer member and an inner member that may rotate independently of the outer member. The outer member has a pin end and a box end. The inner member has a pin end disposed within the pin end of the outer member and a box end disposed within the box end of the outer member.

Abstract: A hydraulic control for an attachment on a work vehicle. The attachment is mounted on the chassis of the work vehicle and movable between a first position and a second position. A hydraulic cylinder is operable to power movement of the attachment. A fluid circuit communicates with the hydraulic cylinder and is configured to carry hydraulic fluid. A fluid reservoir is in communication with the fluid circuit. Accumulators that are in communication with the fluid circuit automatically store and release hydraulic fluid in response to movement of the attachment. A valve assembly controls fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluid circuit in response to movement of the attachment to its second position.

Abstract: A vehicle having a long track or wheel-trail wheel combination on one side and a smaller ground engaging member, such as a short track or wheel on the other. The vehicle has a work attachment on one end of as frame, which is provided clearance on the side of the vehicle with the short track or wheel. A control system is provided to allow an operator to properly control a direction of the vehicle despite the fact that different forces may be required to operate the long track and the short track or wheel.

Abstract: A hydraulic control for an attachment on a work vehicle. Power is provided to the attachment by manually actuating a control lever that is biased toward a first position. This first position corresponds to a deactuated mode of the attachment. By unlocking a lock mechanism, the lever may be maintained in a second position under hand pressure. This second position corresponds to an actuated mode of the attachment. The lock mechanism may be actuated by an operator platform-actuated release mechanism. While an operator is on a platform on the vehicle, the loch mechanism remains unlocked, and the lever may be maintained, without hand pressure, in its second position. The release mechanism actuates the lock mechanism when an operator is not on the platform. As a result, the bias of the control lever returns it to its first position, and the attachment is deactuated. A filter may be utilized to prevent premature actuation of the release mechanism.