Abstract: This invention pertains to method and apparatus for accurate control of the cutting depth and grade for mobile excavating system excavators having a continuous bucket excavating system mounted at the leading end of a structural main frame. Such excavators have a rubber tire or crawler track undercarriage and dig while advancing on the freshly cut grade.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for constructing an impervious underground wall in which an initial excavation, filled with an excavating slurry, is made having a length L.sub.1. A milling excavator is lowered to the bottom of the initial excavation in a collapsed condition and then expanded outwardly by a linkage mechanism in the direction of the trench portion, transmitting a reaction or bearing force to a wall of the initial excavation to excavate from the bottom upwardly. The cuttings fall to the bottom of the trench and are removed by suction or an air lift. The initial excavation is thus expanded laterally from the bottom up with the excavation forces from the excavation being transmitted to the opposing wall surface. Precast concrete panels having convave sides, one concave and one convex end, are inserted into the excavation and have formations on the end to interlock with one another and serve as an excavating guide for the excavating tool.

Abstract: In particular for the production of trenches in medium hard to hard rock, the cutting wheels of the trench wall cutter are equipped with rolling tools, whose cutting faces are parallel to the bore axis. The cleaning of the bottom of the bore and the transportation of the material to the suction point preferably takes place with the aid of brushes. Further brushes arranged on the cutting frame are used for cleaning the tools.

Abstract: A rotary trench excavator comprising a prime mover (1) pivotably connected to a movable frame (2) carrying a working member having the form of a system of drive rotors (9 to 11). To drive each such rotor (9 to 11), its interior accommodates a support frame (6) with support and guide rollers (7 and 8), and a drive mechanism. In order to ensure turning of each rotor (9 to 11) 180.degree., or of the entire system of rotors, there is provided an additional frame (4) connected to the frame (2) of the excavator and to each of the rotors (9 to 11) by way of detachable flanges (13 to 26).

Abstract: An earth mover comprising at least one wheeled axle; a supported frame movable by the axle, said frame further including means for pushing up soil, comprising an elongate scraper blade with a ground-facing sharp longitudinal edge being substantially right-angled to the forward direction of travel of the apparatus. The apparatus is characterized by a cylindrical rotor provided at an interspace from, and in operative position above, the scraper blade, and substantially parallel thereto. It is also characterized by means for rotating the rotor in a direction from the longitudinal edge towards the upper portion of the scraper blade; and by bars mounted on the rotor. The distance from the turning circle circumference of the bars to the scraper blade decreases in the rotation direction of the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for ditch digging or root pruning having a main frame on which a motor drive mechanism and a cutting wheel are supported. A secondary frame portion or undercarriage is pivotally attached to the main frame. The cutting wheel is preferably mounted on a transverse shaft parallel to the wheel axis, the cutting wheel rotating in a substantially vertical plane located outside the apparatus wheels. An actuation device is provided to pivot the frame portions thereby raising or lowering the cutting wheel.

Abstract: A self-contained dredging module includes a unitary body adapted to be attached to the stick of conventional back hoe apparatus to convert it with minimum modification from dry land to sub-aqueous excavation. The body carries a dual cutter wheel, suction pump, and separate motors for driving the cutter wheel and the pump. The cutter wheel is arranged on the module in such a position that dredging is permitted when the stick is moved in one direction and also permitted when the stick and module are turned upside down and the stick is moved in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A trenching machine that can be easily converted between push or pull type models by using same parts at the manufacturing stage, is disclosed. The machine includes a base frame having first and second surfaces, first and second ends, and sides. A motor engine and first ground engaging means are located at first end of the base frame, and second ground engaging means is located at second end thereof. A mechanism connects the motor with first ground engaging means for driving it. The second ground engaging means includes an offset portion which is positioned inside of the first ground engaging means. A digging device is cantilevered from first and second ends of the base frame, and has a portion positioned adjacent the offset portion of the second ground engaging means in front of the first ground engaging means. The base frame is open on one side and the digging device is disposed adjacent thereto. The base frame further includes a steering handle secured at the first end thereof.

Abstract: A heavy duty, chassis-mounted rock trencher for use with a conventional tractor for digging a trench, which obviates the use of outboard counterweights typically used to prevent overcentering problems. The trencher comprises an elongated digger boom selectively pivotally deployable between an inclined digging position and a roughly horizontal transport position. Additionally, the boom may be selectively contracted or extended to transfer weight overcenter and enhance stability. The boom comprises a rigid steel arm entrained by a continuous ground-engaging track of conventional digger elements journalled for rotation about cooperating sprockets upon a headshaft driven by a conventional hydraulic motor. The boom is operationally secured within a rigid, hollow, generally rectangular boom control assembly comprising a movable headshaft mounting housing and a cooperating boom mounting carriage. When the boom is contracted, the headshaft housing slides within the carriage.

Abstract: There is described a railroad track maintenance machine having a horizontal track undercutter and a vertical rotary trench digging wheel at one side of the track. The bucket wheel is constructed such that there is lateral access into the wheel from the inner side of the bucket wheel and the buckets themselves are open on their inner sides. The undercutter is located with its delivery end adjacent to and spaced inwardly of the trenching wheel near its bottom center so that ballast removed by the undercutter is projected into the buckets through their open sides.

Abstract: A milling machine for digging trenches in the earth, of the type comprising at least one substantially vertical support plate on both sides of which two milling drums are mounted for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plate, each of the drums carrying, on the one of its edges which is adjacent to the support plate, at least one tool which projects laterally with respect to this edge, and the support plate including opposite the trajectory of said tools, circular channels coaxial with the drums, through which the ends of these tools pass when the drums turn. The projecting tools of one of the drums redisposed at a distance from the axis which is different from the distance to the axis from the projecting tools of the other drum, the channels having, correspondingly, different radii.

Abstract: A drilling machine for digging trenches in the ground of the type comprising at least one substantially vertical support plate (3) on which are mounted two drilling drums (2) one one each side of it for rotation about an axis (4) substantially perpendicular to the plate.The downwardly facing edge surfaces of said plate have portions (13) inclined relative to the direction perpendicular to said plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for digging trenches, including at least one digging wheel with a wheel framework which is connected to a vehicle by means of a mobile carriage for lowering or raising the wheel, further including: first means for causing said digging wheel to pivot about a first pivoting axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the direction of movement of the vehicle and the axis of rotation of said wheel, and second means capable of causing said wheel to pivot about a second pivoting axis orthogonal to the plane defined by said first pivoting axis and an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel.

Abstract: The apparatus for making a substantially vertical slot in the ground in a step in making a sealing or supporting wall comprises a frame member, a supporting shield, at least two cutting wheels and a drive unit. The supporting shield is attached to the frame member and supports the cutting wheels and the drive unit. The cutting wheels are mounted on a common shaft and at least a portion of the drive unit is enclosed by at least one of the cutting wheels. A housing projecting pipe like on both of its opposing sides is attached to the supporting shield. Each of the cutting wheels have a hub which is mounted on a common shaft mounted in the housing. A hollow drive wheel is provided for the cutting wheels and is mounted advantageously on a stepped in seat on one of the hubs. It fits in the housing with play. The hollow drive wheel meshes with a plurality of drive gears each connected to a drive motor.

Abstract: An athletic field line cutter (10) has a chassis (12) including a plurality of wheels (98-104) for locomotion across the ground. A cutter head assembly (18) is mounted on the chassis (12) and includes a plurality of cutter blades (92) mounted on a rotating axle (30). Axle (30) is mounted parallel to the ground. An engine (14) is connected to axle (30) for supplying power to the axle (30) and the cutter blades (92). An operator station (60) at which an operator (90) directs the apparatus over the ground is in line with the cutter head assembly (18) and the line of travel of the apparatus (10). Rotating axle (30) has a section (126) which is polygonal in shape, and cutter blades (92) have central polygonal holes that closely fit over this polygonal shape. Blades (92) are angularly fixed with respect to each other.

Abstract: The machine includes a frame on which is suspended on a shaft a support for two inclined cutters. The support includes slots of different inclination in which are mounted guide rollers connected to housings in which inclined cutters are rotatively mounted. A jack shifts the housings and consequently adjusts the inclination of the cutters. An additional cutter is located in front of the inclined cutters and is adapted to effect a rough cutting of the trench. A smoothing shoe is openable to a variable extent with the inclination of the cutters.

Abstract: A ditch digging machine comprising a frame including a pair of vertical posts and a cross bar connecting the upper ends of said vertical posts, wheels supporting the lower ends of the vertical posts, a housing including a convex hood having forward and rear end plates extending downwardly from opposite ends thereof, the forward and rear end plates each having a sleeve attached thereto to engage the vertical posts, a vertical side shield extending between the opposite end plates, a motor support platform extending outwardly from the vertical side shield, an adjustable vertical lift means for raising and lowering the housing relative to the frame, a motor mounted on the motor support platform having a shaft extending through the vertical side shield, and a cutting blade assembly rotatably mounted on the shaft substantially parallel to the vertical side shield within the convex hood and the end walls; the cutting blade assembly configured to be lowered with the housing for ground engagement to cut a slit trench

Abstract: An improved cutter wheel that is particularly useful with tilling apparatus for sod seeding purposes. The cutter wheel is mounted for rotation by a drive structure that includes a drive shaft. The cutter wheel includes a central disk portion with an outer periphery defining a plurality of equally spaced slots, each for receiving a tip-holding insert. A bullet-shaped tungsten carbide tip is soldered or brazed to the tip-holder and the holder is welded to the disk. The disk periphery is shaped to allow cutting clearance for the tip, to protect the tip from breaking off, and to provide rear support for the tip-holder. The angle at which the tip is connected to the holder is chosen so that the brazed or soldered joint is loaded primarily in compression as the wheel cuts through the soil.

Abstract: A rotary tool is disclosed which is adapted to be mounted on a machine having power drive means and movable over a field surface to produce furrows therein. The rotary tool comprises bit elements mounted in abutting relation from a peripheral surface of a disc and having compacts of hard wear resistant material which form the leading edge of the bit elements that are to engage the earth.

Abstract: A bucket-wheel excavator has a frame provided with an unsplit-ring bearing that defines an axis for a shaft assembly. This assembly is formed by a solid core shaft extending along the axis through the bearing, an input-side tube shaft fitted over the core shaft to one side of the bearing and having one end turned away from the bearing and formed with an input flange, and an output-side tube shaft fitted over the core shaft to the opposite side of the bearing and having one end also turned away from the bearing and formed with an output flange. The opposite ends of these tube shafts are provided with angularly interengaging formations that rotationally couple them together and bolts press these formations axially into tight engagement with one another. A bucket wheel is carried on the output flange and a drive motor is connected to the input flange for rotating the shaft assembly and bucket wheel about the axis.

Abstract: An excavating and pipeline installation system includes an excavating vehicle, an excavating wheel assembly and a plurality of conveyors. The excavating wheel assembly includes a pair of excavating wheels for excavating a pipeline receiving trench at a predetermined location beneath the surface of the earth. The excavating wheel assembly is supported at the front end of the vehicle on a subframe mounted for pivotal movement relative to the vehicle between excavating and traveling positions. The excavating wheels are mounted for rotation about angularly disposed axes and are positioned to receive the pipeline therebetween. Bolster rollers are mounted on the excavating wheel assembly for initially lifting the pipeline, and pipeline rollers are mounted on the vehicle for exerting a downwardly directed force on the pipeline upon insertion thereof into the pipeline receiving trench.

Abstract: A trencher for escavating narrow channels in soil comprises a power driven wheel rotating about a transverse, horizontal axis and a plurality of buckets disposed about its periphery. The wheel includes a pair of circular gear racks disposed inwardly from its periphery and symmetrically about the vertical midplane of the wheel. A pair of pinions, engaging the pair of racks, symmetrically applies driving energy to the wheel. Each of the buckets comprises an arcuate cutter face and undercut, arcuate, longitudinal body portion which is secured to the wheel by a flat spoke extending radially outwardly from the vertical midplane of the wheel. The trencher also includes two pairs of arms disposed on opposite sides of the wheel and bucket spokes. As the wheel and buckets rotate, soil is engaged, lifted above ground level and emptied from the buckets by the pairs of arms.

Abstract: A device for wiping or removing stones, or the like, especially intended for a ditch digging machine, having at least one digging blade which is mounted on a horizontally disposed, rotatable shaft, includes a wiper endpiece mounted on the shaft, which is disposed parallel to and a short distance apart from the digging blade. This endpiece is mounted in a slip clutch-like manner on the shaft and is maintained in its normal position by engagement with a spring-loaded rocker arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for excavating a trench underneath a pipeline installed at the sea bottom, which apparatus is provided with rotating excavators, means for guiding the excavator relative to the pipeline, as well as means for advancing the excavator along the pipeline, whereby the excavators comprise at least two bucket wheels, 15, 16, 15', 16', disposed side-by-side on either side of the pipeline 9 parallel to the direction of advancement P, the main planes of said buckets enclosing an acute angle with each other and intersecting each other underneath the pipeline 9, which bucket wheels are disposed in said main planes, and being adjustable in height.

Abstract: A trench-digging machine which may normally be moved in a forward direction, includes a frame, a rotatable soil-moving disc mounted on the frame for digging a trench in the soil, thereby throwing up earth, a transmission-gear mounted on the frame, coupled to the rotatable soil-moving disc, and adapted to be powered by an external drive mechanism, a control device mounted on the underside of the frame to regularize the depth of the trench cut by the soil-moving device, a soil-deflector plate mounted on the frame for deflecting earth operatively thrown up by the soil-moving disc, and rotatable and vertically movable trench side-surface processing discs mounted on the frame downstream of the soil-moving disc as defined by the forward direction of movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for assembling tools on a wheel. Stop pins fixed to the wheel cooperate with radial wedges to maintain tool-bearing sectors in a disc formation on the wheel. The pins and the radial wedges are located between adjacent sectors alternatively, with one wedge being positioned between two adjacent faces or ends of adjacent sectors to urge the other ends of the sectors into engagement with two of the pins.

Abstract: A rotary tool is disclosed which is adapted to be mounted on a machine having power drive means and movable over a field surface to produce furrows therein. The rotary tool comprises bit elements mounted in abutting relation from a peripheral surface of a disc and having compacts of hard wear resistant material which form the leading edge of the bit elements that are to engage the earth.

Abstract: A high speed trenching machine has a rotatable digging unit with a rim assembly symmetrically constructed relative to a flat center ring member and includes an outer peripheral spoil receiving section comprised of a pair of side by side annular channel ways open to opposite sides of the digging unit and formed in the outer peripheral side walls thereof with a series of circumferentially spaced digging teeth arranged in a staggered relation in operative association with respective spoil receiving inlets. The circumferential extent of an inlet is less than the radial dimension of a channel way, the inner peripheral side wall of which is inclined away from the outer peripheral side wall thereof in a direction toward the channel way open side.

Abstract: An excavating and pipeline installation system includes an excavating vehicle, an excavating wheel assembly and a plurality of conveyors. The excavating wheel assembly includes a pair of excavating wheels for excavating a pipeline receiving trench at a predetermined location beneath the surface of the earth. The excavating wheel assembly is supported at the front end of the vehicle on a subframe mounted for pivotal movement relative to the vehicle between excavating and traveling positions. The excavating wheels are mounted for rotation about angularly disposed axes and are positioned to receive the pipeline therebetween. Bolster rollers are mounted on the excavating wheel assembly for initially lifting the pipeline, and pipeline rollers are mounted on the vehicle for exerting a downwardly directed force on the pipeline upon insertion thereof into the pipeline receiving trench.

Abstract: A stump cutter and earth ripper device having a balanced channel frame chassis, the device including a forward centrally disposed cutting wheel having a plurality of radially extending cutting teeth circumferentially mounted thereon. The frame is supported by a pair of pneumatic tires mounted on individually adjustable and telescopic axles. A unique and rotationally adjustable handle provides accurate control of the device during operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for handling bulk products, particularly in granular and pulverulent form, such as ores, coal or the like; the invention relates more especially to pick-up devices constituted by a plurality of buckets mounted on a mobile support such as a bucket wheel, bucket chain or the like.

Abstract: In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a device for forming and maintaining demarcation boundaries primarily in the field of plant husbandry. The device includes power driven sets of blades spaced from each other on a common axle, with the tips of the blades angled toward each other. The blades are arranged so that a wedge-shaped trench is cut, and the dirt effectively impelled and scattered.

Abstract: There is disclosed a trenching machine construction of vehicular type, having a wheeled chassis for travel movement with frames connected thereto, whereby trenching means supported by said frames are adjustable vertically, transversely and angularly with respect thereto, the weight of the means being shiftable longitudinally for such travel movement, means and power for effecting such adjustments being provided.

Abstract: A compartmented bucket wheel assembly in which the compartments extend radially inward and angularly opposite the direction of wheel rotation to facilitate emptying of the compartments and thereby increase the capacity of the bucket wheel. In a structurally simple but sturdy preferred form, the buckets are mounted between the extremities of a plurality of plate members, the outer portions of which extend diagonally outward in the direction of wheel rotation at an obtuse angle to the radially directed inner portions thereof. A number of flat, generally triangular plates disposed between the outer portions of adjacent plate members deflect the material toward the discharge edge which extends diagonally inward from the periphery of the wheel adjacent the front of the bucket along one lateral edge of the outer portion of the leading plate member associated with a particular bucket, to the intersection of the inner and outer portions of the associated trailing plate member.

Abstract: Each bucket includes a ground engaging leading portion characterized by roller cutter means alternating with scoop teeth transversely across the bucket. The scoop teeth on alternate buckets follow the path of roller cutter means on intermediate buckets. The scoop teeth on intermediate buckets follow the path of roller cutter means on alternate buckets.

Abstract: An undercutting apparatus and a method for removing material from beneath railroad track. The apparatus comprises a rotary trench digging means and horizontal chain means to transport the material from beneath the railroad track to the trench digging means at an underground location. In operation the trench digging means digs a trench alongside of the track while at the same time transporting the material delivered by the horizontal chain means to a suitable location above the ground. Preferably the rotary trench digging means comprises a large hollow wheel and one end of the chain means is disposed inside of and near the bottom of the wheel during normal operation of the chain means. Means are provided to pivot the chain means about a vertical axis whereby the chain means can be pivoted from a first position wherein the chain means extends parallel to the track to a second position wherein the chain means extends perpendicular to the track.