Abstract: A slope-level-cut bucket for an excavator includes a first bucket half and a second bucket half. The bucket halves are pivotably connected to each other and movable between a closed position and an opened position. Each bucket half has an excavating edge configured to minimize bucket overlap during cutting of a sloped surface. In particular, the excavating edge includes a plurality of steps. The dimensions of the steps are selected to optimize the cutting of a desired slope of the excavating surface.

Abstract: A slope-level-cut bucket for an excavator includes a first bucket half and a second bucket half. The bucket halves are pivotably connected to each other and movable between a closed position and an opened position. Each bucket half has an excavating edge configured to minimize bucket overlap during cutting of a sloped surface. In particular, the excavating edge includes a plurality of steps. The dimensions of the steps are selected to optimize the cutting of a desired slope of the excavating surface.

Abstract: A plant transplanting apparatus includes a pair of hand spade assemblies each having a post with a top end and a bottom end and a blade that has a top edge and a bottom edge. The top edge is attached to the bottom end of the post and a grip is attached to the top end of the post. A coupling assembly releasably couples the hand spade assemblies together. The coupling assembly engages the posts to allow the first sides of the blades to be pivoted toward or away from each other. The coupling assembly is adjustable to allow a space between the spade assemblies to be selectively adjusted. The blades are extended into soil on either side of a plant and the blades are pivoted toward each other to lift the plant from the soil to allow the plant to be transplanted.

Abstract: An implement linkage for an excavator, backhoe, or like apparatus is provided wherein the speed and force (speed/force) characteristics of the linkage, and the implement connected thereto, are selectively variable by an end-user depending upon the task to be performed with the implement.

Abstract: Excavating equipment comprising a rigid support structure with articulately mounted surface clamps, an excavating device downstream of the surface clamps in a direction of excavation and an urging device for urging the excavation means in a direction of excavation during excavating. The equipment further comprises a power device coupled to the excavating device for operating same and for operating the urging device. The power device is also coupled to the surface clamps for laterally displacing the surface clamps against rigid supporting surfaces so as to generate a counter-reaction to forces generated by operation of the excavating device. Additionally, a displacing device is coupled to the support structure for displacing the equipment into and out of an excavation.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated clamshell bucket including left and right bucket halves pivotally supported by a bucket carrier. The bucket halves are opened and closed by the operation of a hydraulic cylinder in cooperation with a compensation link. The clamshell bucket provides an improved structural arrangement for transmitting the force from the hydraulic cylinder to the cutting edges of the bucket halves in that for a given size and rated bucket, the weight of the bucket may be reduced along with the complexity and manufacturing cost of the bucket.

Abstract: A digger for digging out substantially vertically-sided holes e.g. for gravestone monument foundations, is in the form of an attachment adapted to be connected on the dipper stick of a backhoe machine. The attachment has a downwardly-depending digger frame pivoted at its upper end to an attachment frame which is connected to the free end of the dipper stick. A vertically extending operating shaft extends upwardly relative to the digger frame and is connected through a pair of lower linkages to the sections of a clam shell bucket mounted on the lower end of the digger frame. The upper end of the operating shaft connects through a connecting link and a rocking lever to the piston of the dipper stick piston and cylinder arrangement.

Abstract: A single line clamshell bucket apparatus having new and improved guided amatic latching means for effecting positive operation while raising, lowering and operating the bucket apparatus for picking up and dumping a load.