Abstract: A rotary broom is mounted on the front of a vehicle, such as a tractor. The broom can be pivotally raised and lowered as well as pivoted sideways. The broom is rotatably mounted in bearing blocks which are removably supported by a generally C-shaped frame so that the broom can be removed easily for repair or replacement. A hinged hood is located above the broom and can be open for easy access to the broom. The broom is rotated by a central drive located in a middle portion of the broom so that no drive components extend beyond the sides of the frame, to eliminate interference with curbs and the like. The bearing blocks are mounted on extensions below the frame also to reduce possible interference. The broom assembly also has a hydraulic ram with a floating piston which enables the broom to contact the surface being cleaned with less pressure, causing substantially less wear on the broom bristles.

Abstract: Apparatus for laying pipe in a trench includes a housing with a bottom, side walls, a leading end wall and a trailing end wall, with a tapered nose at the leading end, the nose being designed to be pulled along a trench by a backhoe. The nose is hinged to the leading end wall and can be pivoted up and down when the housing is moved along the trench. The housing includes a trough which receives and orients a pipe and a pusher which moves the pipe along the trough and into assembled relationship with an end of a previously-laid pipe. A hopper near the trailing end of the housing has a chute which deposits fill material around the pipe. The trailing end wall has an opening with a slidable door to strike off the top of the fill material. Mechanism is connected to the trough and door to simultaneously move them up and down to maintain the pipe on grade and to maintain the depth of fill material constant relative to the pipe.