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 track system for steerable vehicles having at least one axle. The track system is capable of adjusting to changes in terrain by pivoting in clockwise and counterclockwise directions relative to an axle assembly as the vehicle moves across the ground. The pivotal movement of the track system relative to the axle assembly is restricted by a limiter attached to an inboard member of the track system frame. Pivotal movement is limited by the axle assembly housing engaging the limiter when the track system pivots in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to a maximum point along a pivot arc.

Abstract: A sprocket having one or more mud relief portions offset from the midpoint between adjacent teeth. The sprocket has a plurality of teeth, and saddle sections disposed on the periphery of the sprocket between each of the plurality of teeth. The saddle has a seat disposed at a midpoint between the adjacent teeth, and one or more mud relief portions disposed on each side of the seat. The mud relief portions are recessed within the sprocket. The mud relief portions may be mirror images of one another, or the saddle may alternatively be asymmetrically formed.

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 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 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 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: 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 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 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: 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 torque-transmitting connection for a dual-member drill string. An elongate inner ember of a dual-member pipe is disposed within an outer member and rotatable independent of the outer member. The inner member comprises a geometrically-shaped pin end and a box end having a geometrically-shaped opening. The geometrically-shaped opening of the box end has at least one internal angle greater than 180 degrees. The pin end of the inner member may be inserted into the box end of an adjacent similarly formed inner member to form an inner member pipe joint. The configuration of the pin end and the box end allows the pin end and the box end to be in connector free torque-transmitting engagement but also provides clearance for potential misalignment of the pin end and the box during make-up of an inner member drill string.

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 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 its 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.