Abstract: A small swivel type working vehicle includes a running device (4), a swivel base (2) mounted on the running device (4) to be swivelable about a vertical swivel axis (X), a driver's seat (5) mounted on the swivel base (2), a control box (6) mounted upright on a top surface of the swivel base (2) forwardly of the driver's seat (5), a swing bracket (18) supported to be swingable about a vertical pivotal axis (19a) by a flange unit (17) provided at a front end of the swivel base (2), a boom (20) attached to the swing bracket to be swingable about a horizontal shaft (22), and a boom cylinder (21) connected at one end thereof to the swing bracket (18) and at the other end to the boom (20) for swinging the boom (20). The boom cylinder (21) is disposed outside the boom (20) to extend along a rear surface thereof. A walk-through space (100) is defined between the control box (6) and the driver's seat (5).

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a compact excavator comprised of an upper rotating body mounted rotatably on a lower traveling body, an engine arranged on a rear section of the upper rotating body in a state where a drive shaft thereof is oriented in a horizontal direction, an hydraulic pump connected to the drive shaft, and a soundproof plate disposed on a front side of the engine across a width of the excavator, a step is provided in a neighborhood of the pump so as to bring the soundproof plate in a state displaced backward viewed from the top, a dividing portion in a longitudinal direction on the step is provided with through holes, pipes extending from the pump, and communicating with a hydraulic device arranged on an outer periphery side of the upper rotating body on the opposite side of the pump are laterally inserted through the through holes, and it is possible to compactly route the delivery hoses to the location insulated from the engine while engine sound is insulated by the

Abstract: A hood for an off road work vehicle includes a thermoformed polymer outer top panel having a smooth outer surface, a thermoformed inner panel, the inner panel having laterally extending corrugations, and a pattern of adhesive arranged between the inner and outer top panels. The inner and outer top panels are secured together by the pattern of adhesive, the pattern of adhesive comprising non-linear longitudinally extending regions spaced apart and straddling a longitudinal centerline of the inner top panel. The non-linear regions can be undulating or zigzag regions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a construction machine which precipitates the removal of earth that is churned up onto a vehicle body from the vehicle body, which reduces transfer loads on a blade bracket, which improves the attachability of the blade bracket, and which achieves standardization of the blade bracket. The construction machine according to the present invention is constituted such that a frame of a crawler belt-type traveling body comprises a center frame, a pair of truck frames disposed on the outside of two side portions of the center frame, a connecting member which connects the center frame to the truck frames, and a blade bracket which is joined to the center frame and the connecting member.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a construction machine in which an operating load is transferred to a location having good rigidity, thereby securing the strength of a vehicle body, and which is also capable of realizing an increase in the load-withstanding strength in relation to running loads, thereby improving reliability.

Abstract: A system for digging a trench in the ground is provided. The system includes a power driven land vehicle having a front end and a rear end; a plow blade connected to the rear end of the vehicle; spray nozzles connected to the plow blade and positioned to spray liquid onto the plow blade; and a tank attached to the front of the vehicle to supply liquid to the spray means.

Abstract: In the working machine of the present invention, a tank mounting portion is provided in an upper rotating body, a fuel tank is mounted removably in the tank mounting portion, and engaging portions are formed respectively on both body side of the working machine and the tank side so as to be engaged with each other when the tank is set in the tank mounting portion, thereby preventing in this engaged state the tank from moving in vertical directions and in substantially horizontal directions other than a removable direction of the tank, while a fuel tank dislodgment preventing means is provided to prevent movement in the removable direction of the tank when set in the tank mounting portion. In this working machine, the tank mounting structure can be reduced in both size and weight.

Abstract: In a crawler frame in which legs in a center frame are formed from cast steel, a simple structure is achieved by reducing the number of components. To this end, the crawler frame, which has a center frame composed of a central frame section for supporting a swing bearing and legs located on the right and left sides of the central frame section; and track frames disposed on the sides of the distal ends of the legs, respectively, of the center frame, is designed such that each of the legs is bifurcated into front and rear leg sections and the front and rear leg sections are respectively formed from cast steel.

Abstract: A work vehicle with a tilt floor, which is capable of improving the maintainability around an engine and the operability and comfortability of a driver's seat and its periphery, is provided. The work vehicle with a tilt floor includes a hinge mechanism which is provided on the front end of the tilt floor to enable to turn the tilt floor toward the front of the vehicle body, the rear of the tilt floor is formed to be higher than the front of the tilt floor so to cover the headroom of an engine disposed on the rear of the vehicle body, and an operator seat is disposed on the top surface at the rear of the tilt floor.

Abstract: A wheeled work vehicle includes a lower structure (4) supported on the ground by front wheels (2) and rear wheels (3), a swivel base (6) mounted on the lower structure to be swivellable about a swivel shaft disposed between the front wheels and the rear wheels, an operator's seat (7) and an implement support unit (37) which are mounted on the swivel base and an implement (9) supported to the implement support unit. An engine (13) is mounted on the lower structure (4) and the swivel base (6) is disposed at a position lower than upper ends of the front wheels (2) and rear wheels (3). The operator's seat (7) is disposed to project rearward from the swivel base so as to be able to pass above the engine during a swiveling movement of the swivel base. The swivel base (6) is disposed adjacent the engine (13) and lower than an upper end of the engine.

Abstract: The arm lowering motion restricting device 40 comprises an arm restricting member 41 which can be freely swung upward and downward, one end portion of which is pivotably connected to the arm 21, and which extends so as to cover the upper surface of the raising and lowering cylinder 23, a locking pin 50 which is detachably passed through the lower end portion of the arm restricting member 41, and a torsion coil spring 60 which is attached to the upper portion of the tip end of the arm restricting member 41. When the raising and lowering cylinder 23 is extended so that the tip end portion of the arm restricting member 41 contacts the end surface 23b1 of the cylinder tube 23b on the cylinder rod side, the retraction of the raising and lowering cylinder 23 is restricted.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator is equipped with one or more than one downsizing scheme of arranging a bubble removing device for removing bubbles in hydraulic fluid, using a hydraulic tank including a main tank (51) and a variable capacity tank (52) arranged separately from each other and/or fitting the variable capacity tank (52) to the rear surface of the upper cover. Thus, the lateral section of the seat can be ultimately downsized to provide a large space around the seat. Then, unlike the prior art, a canopy or a cab of a large hydraulic excavator can be securely arranged on the upper swing body of a small hydraulic excavator. Since such large parts can be commonly used with large service vehicles, it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of the service vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distributor device for thick matter, especially for concrete. The distributor device (16) comprises a concrete distributing boom (18) carrying a conveying conduit (20), which has at least two boom arms (30 to 36) that can be swiveled about horizontal articulation axes (38 to 44) relative to one another or relative to a boom support (26). At least one of the boom arms, preferably the base arm (30), is telescopically movable. In order to be adaptable to the telescoping movements, the conveying conduit is assembled from three interlinked conduit sections in the area of the telescoping boom arm. A first conduit section (58) is rigidly linked with the stationary member (46), while a second conduit section (60) is rigidly linked with the extensible telescoping member (48). The device further comprises an intermediate section (62) which is connected with its ends (64, 66) to the first and the second conduit section (58, 60) and which is configured as a flexible pipe.

Abstract: Continuous method of realisation of underground works of whatsoever nature, with consolidation (6) before excavation, where said consolidation is carried out by means of guided perforations (3), obtained with swinging head perforation equipment (4,5), arranged peripherally in the nucleus or in the position indicated by the designer of the tunnel being built (1), or in underground work, and where said consolidation (6) within the guided perforation takes place by means of filling of each perforation (3) with reinforcements or inserts later mixed with aggregating substances injected at high or low pressure, or by means of a jet-grouting system with a pressure jet of cement mixtures, gel, resins etc.

Abstract: An excavating and loading machine has a body with a front end and a rear end, the body being carried on a steerable wheeled ground engaging structure, the machine including an excavating arm mounted at the rear end of the body, and a loading arm which is mounted on the body and extends forwardly of the body, and wherein an operator's cab is provided which is mounted towards the rear end of the body, generally centrally of the body between sides of the machine, and a machine engine is mounted beneath a bonnet structure towards the front end of the body generally centrally of the body between sides of the machine, and the loading arm is mounted towards one side of the machine and at least over a range of operating positions extends alongside the cab and bonnet structure.

Abstract: An excavating member of a constructing means inserts downwardly from a chassis into the ground with an activating means of the chassis and a drive means of the constructing means located within an excavated section and connected to the excavating member and a supporting frame of the constructing means for forcing portions of the member laterally against the facial wall of the section being advanced relative to the frame in a direction opposite of an advancing direction diverged from the axis of the section to excavate the ground adjacent to the member ahead of the frame toward the advancing direction. The section is in this way formed in the diverged advancing direction. The member can be mounted for lateral movement about an axis perpendicular to the advancing direction and within the central surface of the constructing means. A set of “n” side wall-supporting members can be connected to the frame for relative movement about an axis of turning advancement of the section.

Abstract: A motorized road-going vehicle for making trenches may include on its chassis a device for digging a trench using a trenching wheel and a device for sucking and collecting the spoil produced while the trench is being dug. The trenching wheel is mounted so that it can pivot about an axis orthogonal to the chassis so as to occupy a working position projecting from the chassis and a transport position brought up onto the chassis.

Abstract: An excavator such as a backhoe has a group of hoses variable in length when a boom moves up and down. To avoid the group of hoses bulging to obstruct view when the boom is raised to an uppermost position, the group of hoses has a length absorbing portion disposed in a swivel base instead of being disposed on a boom as in the prior art.

Abstract: Trenching apparatus comprises a cutting device, preferably an endless chain cutter, mounted on a prime mover for positioning the cutting device in a trench with the prime mover movable on the ground surface above the level of the trench. Where the cutting device is a chain cutter, the boom projects forwardly and downwardly relative to the direction of cutting the trench, and drive unit arranged to drive the chain in a direction to carry the cutting elements upwardly around the distal end of the boom and rearwardly along the upper run of the endless chain cutter. In operation the distal end of the chain cutter is positioned against the end face of the trench at the bottom of the trench; the prime mover moves the chain cutter forwardly in the trench while operating the chain cutter, so as to produce an undercut in the end face of the trench; and the lifting device lifts the cutting device upwardly from the undercut through the material of the end face so as to cut material from the end face of the trench.

Abstract: The present invention is a lance for removing dirt or other substances from an underground hole, by the use of air and water under high pressure. The water is used as an abrading material or lance to loosen dirt in a hole or to pick or chip off substances which are attached to a pipe. A limited amount of water is used during the operation of the apparatus, to prevent the formation of wet mud.

Abstract: A small swivel type working vehicle includes a running device (4), a swivel base (2) mounted on the running device (4) to be swivelable about a vertical swivel axis (X), a driver's seat (5) mounted on the swivel base (2), a control box (6) mounted upright on a top surface of the swivel base (2) forwardly of the driver's seat (5), a swing bracket (18) supported to be swingable about a vertical pivotal axis (19a) by a flange unit (17) provided at a front end of the swivel base (2), a boom (20) attached to the swing bracket to be swingable about a horizontal shaft (22), and a boom cylinder (21) connected at one end thereof to the swing bracket (18) and at the other end to the boom (20) for swinging the boom (20). The boom cylinder (21) is disposed outside the boom (20) to extend along a rear surface thereof. A walk-through space (100) is defined between the control box (6) and the driver's seat (5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction machine in which a superstructure is rotatably mounted on an undercarriage, and is made up of an undercarriage (101) having a hollow frame (104), a superstructure (102) mounted on the undercarriage (101) and a fuel tank (1) formed as one with the hollow frame (104) in a state where a portion of an internal space of the hollow frame (104) is defined as a compartment by partitions (2), with an internal surface of the fuel tank (1) being covered with a resin film (3) in a liquid-tight condition.

Abstract: A construction machine having an engine arranged along a counter weight, wherein the intake air pipe of the engine is passed between the counter weight and the engine without the need of installing the counter weight spaced from the engine, so that the counter weight protrudes outwardly less. This is accomplished by a piping space (44) of a recessed shape formed in the surface (36) of the counter weight (18) facing the engine (4) allowing the intake air pipe (28) to pass therethrough.

Abstract: During idling control with an acceleration switch ON, operation of the accelerator pedal is stopped. When stoppage of the operation of the accelerator pedal is detected for a predetermined time period, along with closing a slowdown switch, an idling changeover switch is changed over to its contact a. And the engine rotational speed is gradually slowed down by a command from a slowdown control section. On the other hand, when stoppage of the operation of an operation lever is detected for a predetermined time period, the idling changeover switch is changed over to its contact c. Due to this, the engine rotational speed is instantly controlled to the idling rotational speed.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for drilling trenches in the ground, the apparatus comprising a main frame (10) having two vertical main faces (32, 32′), a drilling assembly (18) comprising a support disposed at the bottom of said frame, means (28, 30) for causing said drilling assembly to move in vertical translation relative to said main frame by applying a predetermined force to said drilling assembly relative to said main frame, and anchoring means for anchoring the main frame to the walls of said trench, said means being mounted on said main faces.

Abstract: A pressure plate extractor for testing of soils and other porous solids has a pressure chamber defined by pressure chamber sidewalls resting above a pressure chamber base. A drain plate is situated on the pressure chamber base with its bounding edge surrounded by a seal and situated inwardly from the pressure chamber sidewalls, which rest atop the seal. When the pressure chamber sidewalls are urged towards the pressure chamber base, thereby compressing the seal and preventing air from passing between the pressure chamber sidewalls and pressure chamber base, the seal laterally expands to firmly engage the bounding edge of the drain plate, thereby preventing air from passing between the pressure chamber sidewalls and the drain plate. A substantially leak-free pressure chamber results, with low probability of drain plate failure because the pressure chamber sidewalls do not bear directly upon it.

Abstract: There is provided a construction machine having an engine arranged along a counter weight, wherein the intake air pipe of the engine is passed between the counter-weight and the engine without the need of installing the counter weight separated away from the engine, so that the counter weight is lessened to protrude outward.

Abstract: A self-propelled trench-cutting machine includes a chassis and a drive assembly mounted to the chassis for driving the machine along a surface to be cut. The machine includes a boom and a rock cutting wheel that is mounted on the boom for rotation about a wheel axis. The boom has a first end and a second end and is mounted along a side of the chassis for pivotal movement about a pivot axis at the first end. A mechanism is provided for rotating the rock cutting wheel about the wheel axis, and a locking mechanism is provided that is adapted to lock the second end of the boom to the chassis.

Abstract: A trenching machine (10) comprising a wheeled frame (12) and a first motor means (18) mounted on the frame (12). The first motor means (18) drives a digging chain (16) carried on a chain guide (74) extending from the machine (10). The chain guide (74) is pivotally mounted coaxially with a drive chain drive sprocket (82). A means (102) for pivotally moving the chain guide (74) relative to the frame (12). a locking means (102, 104, 105) to lock the chain guide (74) in a desired pivotal position, and a second motor means (18) mounted on the frame (12), are also provided. The second motor means (18) drives at least one of the machine wheels (14a, b) for moving the machine (10) along the ground (G) The second motor means (18) is releasably engaged to the at least one of the machine wheels (14a, b).

Abstract: A continuous ditch excavator including a chassis having a forward portion and a rear portion, first and second motive means carried by the chassis in laterally spaced-apart relation to each other for cooperatively driving the chassis along a ground surface, the first and second motive means defining a centrally-disposed excavation work area therebetween, and an excavating auger mounted on the chassis in the excavation work area forwardly of the rear portion of the chassis and rearwardly of the forward portion of the chassis for penetrating and excavating a ditch in the ground as the chassis is driven along the ground, said auger defining a pivot point about which the first and second motive means are adapted to rotate the chassis to control the direction of ditch excavation.

Abstract: Trenching apparatus comprises a cutting device, preferably an endless chain cutter, mounted on a prime mover for positioning the cutting device in a trench with the prime mover movable on the ground surface above the level of the trench. Where the cutting device is a chain cutter, the boom projects forwardly and downwardly relative to tho direction of cutting the trench, and drive means are arranged to drive the chain in a direction to carry the cutting elements upwardly around the distal end of the boom and rearwardly along the upper run of the endless chain cutter. In operation the distal end of the chain cutter is positioned against the end face of the trench at the bottom of the trench; the prime mover moves the chain cutter forwardly in the trench while operating the chain cutter, so as to produce an undercut in the end face of the trench; and the lifting means lifts the cutting device upwardly from the undercut through the material of the end face so as to cut material from the end face of the trench.

Abstract: An excavator of the invention comprises an excavating body having an excavating element and a clinometer for detecting an inclination angle of ditch wall in a excavating ditch; a traveling distance recorder for measuring moving distance of said excavator; a calculator for calculating and accumulating the inclination signal for every moving distance of said excavator on the basis of the inclination signal outputted from said clinometer and the moving distance signal outputted from the traveling distance recorder; and a display device for displaying accumulated said inclination signal outputted from said calculator, thereby can excavate the ditch with excellent flatness of the ditch wall.

Abstract: A lift vehicle and a method for initializing a controller for controlling a lifting mechanism of lift vehicle. The controller controls the maximum forward tilt angle of a mast by controlling a solenoid of a hydraulic circuit. The controller employs a stored map or equation that defines a relationship between the forward tilt limit and another parameter. When the mast is tilted at two degrees, a CPU reads the detection value of a tilt angle sensor and sets it as a reference value. The reference value is used to calibrate the controller. The same function information can be used for many types of lift vehicles by selecting the appropriate control ranges for each vehicle.

Abstract: A portable excavator having a tube to point a supersonic gas stream at a buried object. The excavator includes a movable member disposed within the conduit to pulse gas passing through the conduit and a supersonic gas nozzle at the exit of the conduit. Compressed gas delivered to the conduit exits the nozzle in a pulsed manner at two to three Hz. The movable member includes a piston which blocks gas from flowing through the conduit by the biasing force of a spring. When the force to the pressure differential across the piston exceeds the biasing force, the piston moves and allows gas to flow through the conduit until the force from the pressure differential across the piston is less than the biasing force.

Abstract: A blade control system is configured to control the spatial orientation of an earthmoving blade mounted on a frame of an earthmoving machine for working a surface of earth to a desired shape. The blade slope angle required to maintain a selected cross-slope angle is calculated and the blade slope is then controlled so that the sensed blade slope angle is substantially equal to the calculated blade slope angle. The method and apparatus of the present invention is capable of maintaining the desired cross-slope even when the motorgrader is steered through a turn. The control system includes an input circuit, a sensor system and a processor. The input circuit is arranged to generate an output signal representative of the desired shape of the surface of earth to be worked. The sensor system includes a first sensor coupled to the frame of the earthmoving machine to generate a first signal indicative of a longitudinal slope angle of the frame with respect to horizontal.

Abstract: A site database structure for storing elevation data for access by an application program being executed on a control system on a work machine. The data is stored in a Triangular Irregular Network (TIN). The elevation of a point on the work site based on the three points forming the triangle containing the point.

Abstract: A ditch trenching device is adapted to be connected to earth moving equipment that use buckets. A dirt port is dimensioned in a lower portion of a bucket. A trencher is attached to the dirt port and is defined by two side members each with a front, back, top, and floor that are spaced apart the width of the dirt port; a floor member with a distal end is attached to the floors; and a back member is attached to the backs. There is an acute angle between the front and floor. A first cutting edge is placed at the distal end and a second cutting edge is connected to the front by the floor.

Abstract: A trench cleaning apparatus for attachment to a tractor, the trench cleaning apparatus for extricating crumbs from a trench into control of the tractor. The trench cleaning apparatus utilizes a rigid member having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. When the rigid member is inserted into a trench at an angle to horizontal and propelled, the first edge and the second edge engage the sidewalls of the trench and the bottom edge of the rigid member engages the bottom of the trench. As the rigid member is propelled, crumbs flow from the bottom of the trench to the top of said rigid member such that crumbs are extricated from the trench and the trench is cleaned. A bucket can be utilized in cooperation with the trench cleaning apparatus such that crumbs above ground level can also be removed.

Abstract: A portable excavator having a tube to point a supersonic gas stream at a buried object. The excavator includes a movable member disposed within the conduit to pulse gas passing through the conduit and a supersonic gas nozzle at the exit of the conduit. Compressed gas delivered to the conduit exits the nozzle in a pulsed manner at two to three Hz. The movable member includes a piston which blocks gas from flowing through the conduit by the biasing force of a spring. When the force from the pressure differential across the piston exceeds the biasing force, the piston moves and allows gas to flow through the conduit until the force from the pressure differential across the piston is less than the biasing force.

Abstract: An integrated safe excavation apparatus utilizing supersonic air jets coupled with high flow, pneumatic vacuum transport and a unique separation system to excavate earth and other like material for the purpose of repairing, replacing or installing buried utility lines, remediating contaminated soils, uncovering buried objects containing discarded hazardous waste, safely exposing unexploded ordnance and other like operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring in real time the removal of material from a land site such as a mine by a mobile machine. A digitized three-dimensional model of the site is stored in a digital data storage and retrieval facility. The site model includes a model of the material to be removed subdivided into regions of differentiating characteristics, for example ore grade or type. The machine is provided with means for generating digital signals representing in real time the instantaneous position in three-dimensional space of at least a portion of the machine as it traverses the site. Loading signals are generated corresponding to the removal of material from the site by the machine, and an instantaneous loading position for the mobile machine relative to the site is recorded in response to the loading signal. The invention preferably includes a payload measurement system which measures each discrete load of material removed.

Abstract: A vertical trencher having a cutter body with cutting teeth arranged in a spiral configuration on its circumference with an increasing rise angle, for excavating various size trenches, which is operable at high speed and efficiency, and suitable for use on hard and rocky ground. The cutter body is formed with a spiral-shaped concave channel, with grinding teeth attached to its outer edge. The grinding teeth cut soil and rock loose, so that pieces are scooped into the concave channel. The rise angle of the concave channel to the horizontal increases along the length of the cutter body. Thus, loose pieces of soil are transported upwardly along the concave channel at an increasing axial speed. The cutter body is connected at its upper end to a hydraulic engine mounted on the housing, which provides rotational power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a disk-type ditcher adaptable to being drawn by a tractor can dig ditches under control of a laser system by which a desired ditch grade can be selected. The ditcher incorporates a disk rotatable in a generally vertical plane transverse to the line of travel of the ditcher, the disk having circumferentially spaced scoops which during rotation function in cooperation with a bottom-cutting blade and soil plowing section to lift the cut soil for discharge from an angularly oriented overlying chute for directing soil particles a pre-selected lateral distance from the line of travel of the tractor. A pair of forwardly and oppositely positioned angularly adjustable side cutting or scraping blades can be provided in spaced relation on opposite sides of the center line of travel to impart steeper side walls to the ditch than would otherwise be formed with the circular disk alone.

Abstract: A sheet pile wall is formed in the ground by excavating a first well and then excavating a second well spaced at a distance from the first well. The ground panel between the wells is then excavated to form a trench by using an excavating apparatus which is fitted with tubular guiding elements which are guided by the walls of the first and second wells. A prefabricated wall element having an arched center part is placed in the trench. The prefabricated wall element has edges which have meandering side faces. The edges of the wall element are brought into sealing contact with the walls of the trench, after which the first well is filled with concrete with the side face of the edge of the wall element serving as a shuttering to form a supporting nose engaging the side face.

Abstract: An excavation head, mounted on one end of a telescoping hollow boom, has nozzles for directing jets of high speed air at an excavation face to loosen soil. A vacuum transport pipe extends from the excavation head through the hollow of the boom to a spherical joint. The spherical joint movably joins the other end of the boom to a primary separator. The primary separator is a chamber for disentraining loosened soil from air flowing through the primary separator. A primary air lock is fixed to the lower portion of the primary separator for expelling soil from the primary separator. A secondary separator is joined to the primary separator by way of a separator connector pipe. A secondary air lock is fixed to the lower portion of the secondary separator for expelling soil from the secondary separator. A positive displacement vacuum pump has its vacuum side pneumatically connected to the secondary separator.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavating machine of the type that utilizes a jet of water to loosen soil, the loosened soil and water then being removed from the excavation by suction, comprises a self-propelled vehicle having a holding tank for receiving the excavated soil and water, and a supply tank from which the water is delivered under pressure. The holding tank communicates with a large diameter suction conduit that is carried in a coil on top of the tank and extends along a boom and then downwardly into the excavation. The boom is at a fixed elevation relative to the vehicle, and therefore can operate in locations where there is limited head room.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the location of a work implement at a work site is provided. The apparatus includes an undercarriage, a car body rotatably connected to the undercarriage, a boom connected to the car body, a stick connected to the boom, a work implement connected to the stick, and a positioning system including a receiver connected to the stick and a processor for determining the location of the receiver in three dimensional space at a plurality of points as the car body is rotated and for determining the location and orientation of the work implement.

Abstract: An excavation apparatus includes a tank partitioned into two isolated chambers. One of the chambers is adapted to hold fresh water and communicates with a flexible wand to be carried by operating personnel. The other chamber is adapted to hold excavated material and communicates with a flexible hose also to be carried by operating personnel. A single, positive displacement vacuum pump driven by a motor is selectively connectable to one or both chambers through a series of valves and hoses. Depending on the valve positions, either the intake or exhaust port of the vacuum pump is in communication with one or both the chambers. The vacuum pump can therefore by used to fill the front chamber with fresh water as well as to pressurize the front chamber so that the water held therein can be discharged through the wand under pressure sufficient to dislodge earth at the excavation site. The vacuum pump can then be used to draw the dislodged earth and discharged water into the other chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus supported on a truck bed and including a high pressure water conduit for dislodging earthen material for evacuation by a suction conduit. The evacuated material and water pass through a cyclone separator with the removed air directed through a secondary separator. A blower intake induces low pressure in the separators. Solids and water removed by the first mentioned separator are subjected to screening whereat water is reclaimed and returned to a tank from which a high pressure water pump draws. An air lock receives the earthen material and water from the separator. A modified air lock is disclosed for use with highly abrasive material. The screen is positionable about a horizontal axis by a hydraulic cylinder to maintain desired inclination for maximum dewatering of the evacuated material. A water conduit and valve system permit periodic drawing of water from a secondary tank when the level of the reclaimed water in the recovery tank falls below a certain level.

Abstract: A trenching apparatus comprises a boom assembly mounted on a support base which carries a digger arm operative to form a trench alongside the support base following a trench line. The boom assembly includes an inner boom, pivotally connected to a manipulator head which carries the digger arm, and an outer boom pivotally anchored to the support base. The inner boom is slidable within the outer boom by operation of a pair of linear actuators each having an actuator housing mounted to the outer boom, and an actuator rod connected to the end of the inner boom. Mounting structure is provided for securing the linear actuators to the boom assembly which permits at least limited movement of such actuators relative to the boom assembly, and which substantially dampens vibrations and reduces bending and lateral forces transmitted through the boom assembly, so that damage and wear to the linear actuators is substantially reduced.