Abstract: An excavator (1) includes an excavator main body (7), an apron (2) for the receipt of excavated material and a conveyor (3), the apron being located at or in proximity to the front of the main body, the conveyor extending from the apron to the rear of the main body. In use, the conveyor moves excavated material from the front to the rear of the main body, the excavator further includes an arm (11) having an attachment (5) for excavating material and moving the excavating material towards the apron (2). The excavator has a support associated with the front of the main body, the support being movable from a first position in which the support is in resilient contact with the ground to a second position in which there is substantially no contact between the support and the ground. The support includes one or both of the apron and conveyor.

Abstract: An all-earth foundation trencher has a digger body (1) pivotal selectively on a track-laying chassis (7). The digger body has an earth-mover blade (16) that is manipulatable multi-directionally on a front end. A digger boom (19) has a base end that is pivotal vertically forward from an aft end of the digger body. A digger head (22) is manipulatable on a digger end of the digger boom for power-digging foundation trenches having desired widths and depths in all likely consistencies of earth that ranges from hard and rocky earth to loose dirt. Conveyors (28–31) are positioned intermediate the track-laying chassis and the digger head for conveying removed earth sufficiently far from either or both sides of a foundation trench that the removed earth will not spill back into the foundation trench. A laser guide (99) proximate the digger head provides control assurance of accurate attitudinal digging. Operational controllers (102) include control knobs (104) on knob plates (49) positioned on a control panel (45).

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: An excavating machine is provided having an improved conveyor assembly, the excavating machine having a power unit, a supporting frame assembly operably attached to the power unit, an earth cutting device operably attached to the supporting frame assembly, and a conveyor assembly operably attached to the supporting frame assembly for expelling from the excavating machine the spoil created by the earth cutting device. The conveyor assembly has an interior portion bounded by a first end roller and a second end roller, an endless conveyor belt about the first end roller and the second end roller, a first side assembly and a second side assembly, all to prevent the spoil from entering the interior portion of the conveyor assembly.

Abstract: A soil surface remediation apparatus useful for decontamination of oil or chemical spill sites and toxic waste containing sites comprises a soil treatment apparatus mounted on a mobile trenching machine tractor which excavates trenches in a contaminated site to remove contaminated soil to the surface apparatus where the soil is decontaminated and is immediately replaced into the excavated trench in a continuous operation. Hydrocarbons or other useful by-products such as precious metals may be recovered from the soil. Both deep trenching and shallow trenching embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous excavating and loading machine having a front mounted rotary digging element divided into sections to allow cantilevered support, digs a width greater than that of any other part of the machine so that the machine may advance on the surface it has cut. The digging element is driven by digging chains which also break up material in their path so that the full digging face is excavated. Excavated material is discharged outwardly from the digging element by both centrifugal force and gravity after rotation past top center. The excavated material falls onto a conveyor system to be elevated and transported to the rear of the machine for transfer to appropriate carriers. A moldboard blade trims surface irregularities and pushes passed material forward into the bucket wheel. A movable skid plate, held against the cut surface by a constant force, supports digging torque reaction loads and damping is provided for shock conditions.

Abstract: A trenching machine having a tractor unit and a trenching bar mounted for transverse sliding movement on the rear end portion of the tractor unit to any desired location within the transverse confines of the tractor unit. Spoil generated by the trenching bar is deposited on either of a pair of transverse conveyors which are operable either to transport spoil transversely outwardly to the side of the trenching machine or transversely inwardly to a central hopper. A longitudinal conveyor located on the center line of the trencher extends from a low position at the rear-end portion of the tractor unit at the bottom of the hopper forwardly and upwardly to a high position forwardly of the tractor unit. A swinging conveyor is mounted for pivotal movement about both a vertical and horizontal axis forwardly of the tractor unit and below the output of the longitudinal conveyor.

Abstract: A continual digging, transporting, and loading accessory can handle material. The accessory is adapted for exchangeable attachment on earth or material moving equipment. The accessory includes a digger outwardly mounted on the earth or material moving equipment for digging the material. Also included is a transporter having an inward unloading end mounted on the earth or material moving equipment and an outward onloading end mounted adjacent to the digger for receiving and transporting the material dug by the digger. The transporter has a carrier for moving between the onloading end and the unloading end to carry the material. The accessory includes a loader having a loading end positioned to receive and transport away from the vehicle the material discharged from the unloading end of the transporter.