Abstract: The embodiments and methods of the invention provide for an effective protection of a bank of a body of water that reduces or eliminates the erosion effect of animal-burrowing below the mudline and behind the bank. An exemplary embodiment includes a guard that includes a top cross member and a plurality of spaced apart rods welded or otherwise attached to the top cross member. An intermediate cross member can also be welded or otherwise attached to the rods between the top member and a bottom end of the rods. The rods are spaced apart to have a specific clearance that prevents adult animals, such as muskrats from passing through the guard. Particularly, the spacing is such that the shoulder width of muskrats is too large to fit through adjacent rods. Plural guards can be driven into the bank side-by-side along the body of water to create a wall of guards.

Abstract: A bag assembly for repairing a receded bank includes a fabric bag having a closable opening; and a mesh cover surrounding the bag. The bag assembly is filled with a fill material and has an end portion that is fastened to remain closed. The mesh cover can be applied over and around the bag after the bag is filled. The mesh cover is resistant to penetration by burrowing animals, such as muskrats. A method is described for restoring a bank on a body of water that is resistant to burrowing animals and includes the steps of: stacking a plurality of courses of bag assemblies to form a wall spaced from a face of a receded bank, wherein each bag assembly comprises a fabric bag filled with fill material and surrounded by a mesh cover; and filling the void between the wall and the receded bank with fill material. The method can include the further step of before the step of stacking bag assemblies, placing a blanket of mesh over the face of the receded bank.

Abstract: A trailer-mounted crane apparatus includes a trailer supported from a ground surface on at least two wheels. A hydraulically operated crane arm is mounted to the trailer and is extendable outwardly. A crane hydraulic power unit is mounted to the trailer and supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to the crane arm. A vibrational sheet piling driver can be supported by the crane arm. A vibrational hydraulic power unit for supplying power to the driver is mounted on the trailer. A control panel for the crane hydraulic power unit and the vibrational driver hydraulic power unit, and an associated operator's seat, are also mounted on the trailer. The crane apparatus includes wide tires for reducing the surface pressure under the apparatus. This allows the apparatus to be transported across and used on delicate surfaces such as golf course greens and other groomed surfaces.