Abstract: An earth cutting apparatus comprising a plurality of articulated elements including at least a first element having a mounting structure thereon and an adjacent second element hingedly connected to the first element. An earth cutting member is provided including a proximal end which is pivotally mounted to the mounting structure of the first element and an earth cutting end. The earth cutting member is slidably connected to the adjacent second element and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, such that hinged movement of the adjacent second element relative to the first element causes the earth cutting member to slidably extend from the adjacent second element to the extended position for operatively cutting earth. Hinged movement of the adjacent second element in an opposite direction causes the earth cutting member to slidably retract to the retracted position.

Abstract: A machine includes a plurality of ground engaging elements and an operator control station supported on a frame. A work tool is pivotably attached to the frame using a lift arm assembly and a tilt linkage. At least one device measures a quantity associated with at least one of the lift arm assembly, the tilt linkage, and the work tool. An electronic controller, in communication with an operator display and the at least one device. The electronic controller is configured to store an operator selected orientation of the work tool, calculate a current orientation of the work tool based on the quantity, and calculate a deviation of the current orientation from the operator selected orientation. A visual representation of the deviation is displayed on the operator display.

Abstract: A digging system includes a machine having a machine frame, and an implement assembly mounted to the machine frame. The implement assembly includes an elongate boom and a trenching mechanism having a plurality of drawing cutters coupled with an endless drive chain movable about a drive system mounted to an elongate boom. The implement assembly further includes an undercutting mechanism having first and second rotating cutters projecting in opposite axial directions from the distal boom end. The implement assembly defines a compound projection profile in a plane which includes first and second axes of rotation of a drive wheel and guide wheel of the drive system. The compound projection profile includes a relatively narrow proximal stem segment corresponding to the trenching mechanism and a relatively broad distal footing segment corresponding to the undercutting mechanism.

Abstract: The trencher unit of the present invention mounts to a standard loader attachment fitting and relies on the auxiliary hydraulic power of a loader. A powered chain drive sprocket is mounted near the upper end of the trencher unit. An idler wheel is mounted at the bottom end of the trencher unit. The chain drive sprocket and the idler wheel carry an endless digging chain which presents a series of digging teeth. The trencher unit includes a vertically adjustable auger assembly having forward and rear augers that push excavated soil away from an excavated trench. A loader operator controlling the position of the trencher unit can lower the digging chain of the trencher unit into a work surface to dig a trench. The trencher unit is typically operating in an upright position so that the loader may be guided along a curved path to dig a curved section of trench.

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 trencher includes a wheeled carriage which has a steering mechanism and a digging which operates along an upright path. The trencher includes an upright boom structure that is mounted to the carrage and a digging chain support frame that can be raised and lowered relative to the trencher carriage along an upright path. The digging chain is mounted to the digging chain support frame by a powered sprocket wheel and a freely turning pulley wheel. The sprocket wheel the pulley wheel are positioned so that the digging chain describes an upright path. The path described by the digging chain is sufficiently upright so that the trencher can excavate a curved trench without the digging chain interfering with the walls of the trench to a degree that is sufficient to impede the operation of the trencher.

Abstract: An apparatus for digging a trench including a cutter device for cutting through a ground surface and a guide with a loading end located rearwardly of the cutting device and adapted for guiding earth from the loading end to an off loading end as the apparatus moves in a forward direction.

Abstract: Centrifugal thrower-crusher device for arid matter and other materials having a revolvable inertia wheel (1) and mallets (2) diametrally matched on at least one face of the wheel inside a housing (3) with a front opening (8) at the side in which the mallets (2) are housed in a peripheral channel (17), while in the periphery another opening is defined (9), through which the materials leave thrown selectively in a centrifugal projection.

Abstract: A tilling machine having independently driven wheels and a generally V-shaped plow. Tilling machine comprises digging chain that moves between a raised position and a lowered position, a housing carried by front wheels and rear casters, a motor that drives front wheels to propel housing, a guide wheel that aligns tilling machine with trench upon a second pass, and a generally V-shaped plow, wherein the plow may be positioned on the front or the rear to collect and deposit the dirt surrounding the trench into the trench. A method of gardening/landscaping wherein a trench is dug by a first pass, soil amendments are added to the trench, and then on the second pass, the excavated dirt is plowed back into the trench and mixed with the amendments. A method of gardening/landscaping wherein vegetation cover between trenched rows is maintained thus utilizing only the ground area that is needed for planting.

Abstract: A method of operation to effectively excavate an underdrain in the field ground having a long service life and ensuring that the underdrain will not be closed after a long period of time and a device for such operation. The method includes attaching a plurality of buckets to an endless chain, driving the endless chain to excavate a slit in the field ground, reforming inner side walls of the slit by a reformer, pressing soil from both sides of the slit later ally inwardly by a pressing member attached to the reformer to form a block to separate the slit into an upper space and a Iover space, and charging the upper space with discarded dirt.

Abstract: An excavator for constructing an underground continuous wall includes an extensible guide post, an endless chain extending around a chain driving wheel provided at the upper portion of the guide post and a chain sprocket at the lower portion of the guide post, and a number of cutter bits and a number of agitator bars alternately arranged on the chain to form an endless chain cutter and a jet pipe provided in the guide post to be connectable to a fluid supply source and having a number of nozzles branched from the jet pipe. The endless chain cutter is detachably fixed to the end of the boom extending from a vehicle traveling on the ground. The endless chain cutter may be vertically movably mounted on the boom so as to be vertically driven by a driving device. The cutter bits are changeable with harder cutter bits according to obstacles in the ground.

Abstract: Propulsion apparatus is disclosed for urging a trenching arm forward against the advancing face of an elongate trench being dug by the trenching arm. The propulsion apparatus includes a propulsion member which is engageable with the base wall of the trench such that the trenching arm may be urged forward relative to the engaged propulsion member. The propulsion member may then be withdrawn from engagement with the base wall and retracted towards the trenching arm before commencing a further propulsion cycle. The propulsion member is also operable to cooperate with the trenching arm in excavating a starting slot at the beginning of a new trench.

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.

Abstract: A trencher for mounting on a conventional three point hitch of a tractor. The trencher is driven from the power takeoff of the tractor and uses the hydraulic system of the tractor to operate a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the boom and digging chain of the trencher. A power transmission system is provided using interchangeable belts and pulleys for selectively changing drive ratios for driving the digging chain. The boom is telescoping and can be lengthened to achieve a deeper digging depth through turning of an adjustment rod. The boom is spring-loaded for absorbing shocks delivered by the chain to the boom.

Abstract: An excavator for constructing an underground continuous wall includes a traveling trolley movable on rails and having a sprocket in mesh with a rack extended parallelly to the rails and a hydraulic motor for driving the sprocket. The trolley further includes an upper frame arranged thereon and having a tiltable frame tiltable relative to the upper frame and a saddle provided on the tiltable frame slidable on the tiltable frame in directions substantially perpendicular to the rails. An extensible guide post is provided upward and downward movably relative to the tiltable frame. An endless chain extends around a chain driving wheel provided on the saddle and a chain sprocket provided at the lower end of the guide post, and a number of cutter bits and a number of agitator bars are alternately arranged on the endless chain to form an endless chain cutter. A chain driving device is provided for driving the endless chain.

Abstract: A trenching apparatus having a digger arm operative to form a trench along a trench line includes a lower end which mounts a digging and propulsion unit having an upper and lower group of sprockets which are vertically spaced from one another and carry chains having digger teeth mounted thereto. Structure is provided to increase the relative spacing between the upper and lower sprockets, while the chains remain in engagement therewith to increase tension in the chains as they wear and a number of scraper blades are mounted in position relative to the sprockets and the shafts which carry them to prevent the buildup of soil, concrete, rocks or other foreign material thereon and thus ensure smooth operation of the digging and propulsion unit.

Abstract: Towed apparatus for excavating, pulverizing, and throwing soil to halt the spread of a forest fire. The apparatus comprises two series of rotating disks mounted to a first frame, each series driven by a hydraulic motor, for loosening the soil and pulverizing it into soil particles, followed by plowshares for funneling the resulting soil particles into a mound directly in the path of a spinner rotatably secured within a housing and having a plurality of fins attached thereto that scoop portions of the soil particles from the mound and throw them through a hole in the housing. Each disk in the series of disks has teeth secured about its peripheral edge for loosening the soil, pulverizing it and cutting and grinding roots, stumps and friable rock. The first frame is connected to a wheeled second frame by hydraulic cylinders to raise and lower the first frame with respect to the soil so that the series of disks can engage and be disengaged the soil to the depth desired.

Abstract: A trenching apparatus (10) is for excavating deep trenches in which inground concrete retaining or foundation walls may be formed. The trenching apparatus (10) has a crawler base (11) on which a carrier assembly (14) is pivotally supported by pivots (16) whereby it may be tilted by rams (17) to maintain the platform horizontal. An automatic control device (64) is provided for this purpose. The carrier assembly (14) has a pair of rails (18/19) along which a carriage (21) may move. The carriage (21) supports a sleeve (24) through which a trenching arm (25) may be lowered to excavate a trench section as the carriage (21) is driven along the rails (18/19).