Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for constructing bottom pads, or bench pads, as well as for padding a pipeline during construction. To pad the bottom of a pipeline, a padder is removably attached to one end of a conventional excavator or other base machine or vehicle, whereby a portion of the padder is inserted in the backfill and extracts padding material of a maximum predetermined size.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for constructing bottom pads, or bench pads, as well as for padding a pipeline during construction. To pad the bottom of a pipeline, a padder is removably attached to one end of a conventional excavator or other base machine or vehicle, whereby a portion of the padder is inserted in the backfill and extracts padding material of a maximum predetermined size.

Abstract: A method of padding a trench includes the steps of automatically gathering at least a portion of excavated material from the berm of a trench, auomatically pulverizing at least part of the gathered material to form a pulverized material, and automatically conveying the pulverized material to the trench. The gathered material can be separated into at least two grades of material, only one of the grades of material being pulverized to form the pulverized material, another of the grades of material being returned to the berm. The pulverized material can be collected for use as a sandblasting sand.

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 excavated opening (10) through a pavement (12) of a highway and through the underlying base material (14) to expose a gas main (16) is filled by (i) mixing on site cement, foaming agent and water to produce a fluid grout (26), (ii) mixing the grout with loose excavated spoil (22) in the opening, (iii) agitating the mixture using a hand-held poker vibrator (30), (iv) and repeating this procedure until the level (40) is reached. The level (40) corresponds to the underside of a protective layer (50) which is subsequently applied. The majority of the excavated loose spoil from the opening is reused.

Abstract: A sand channel trenching and pipe laying apparatus for attachment to a tractor or other motor driven vehicle has an elongated frame with a turf precutter assembly which includes both a pair of vertical cutting blades and horizontal blades for removing a strip of turf. Channel excavation apparatus for digging a pipe channel is operably mounted to the frame. A pipe dispenser for laying and positioning pipe in the pipe channel is secured to a subframe mounted on a rearward portion of the frame. A sand funnel for funneling and directing sand into the pipe channel is operably linked to a sand hopper and is mounted on the same subframe as the pipe layer. A ball valve and hose attachment device provide a controlled flow of water in the sand hopper allowing for liquification of the sand in the sand hopper forcing the sand to flow through the sand funnel into the pipe channel.

Abstract: Backfill soil is compacted under the haunches of and up to the spring line of a pipe laid in a trench by tamping the soil in two directions with two pairs of hydraulically-operated ram plates extending from an elongate frame which is supported and moved by wheels along the pipe. The first pair of ram plates, located near the bottom half of the pipe, compact the soil under the haunch of the pipe by compacting the soil at an angle such as 45.degree. (from vertical) from either side of the pipe towards the centerline of the pipe. The second pair of ram plates, located behind the machine and above the spring line of the pipe, compacts the soil in a downward (vertical) direction on either side of the pipe.

Abstract: A method for pipeline padding for reducing the size of spoil disposed in a pile utilizes a vehicle having first and second sides adapted for movement on the surface of the spoil pile. The vehicle includes first and second surface engaging devices disposed on each side of the vehicle. The spoil is crushed using a crushing assembly connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle. Spoil is transferred using a transferring assembly connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle for transferring spoil from the pile to the crushing assembly. Disposed between the vehicle sides, adjacent the transferring assembly and connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle is a control structure for controlling passage of spoil from the spoil pile forward of the surface engaging devices to a position under the surface engaging devices.

Abstract: In a method for backfilling pipe placed in a ditch and surrounded by a padding material a geotextile material is placed over the padding material and then spoil is backfilled into the ditch. The geotextile material prevents rocks and other large particles from encroaching upon the padding material which surround the pipe and then scratching the pipe. Preferably, the spoil is separated into layers of increasingly larger diameter particles. The geotextile material can be carried on a padding machine or a frame attached to a tractor or other vehicle. A spreader and optionally a leveler are also provided to evenly place the geotextile material in the ditch.

Abstract: A soil sub-surface trenching apparatus adapted to deliver a ribbon deposit of an aggregate material to form a downwardly extending curtain thereof below the soil surface level and thereby provide a soil conditioning method for accomplishing a wide range of subsoil characteristic modifications, being as varied as surface level drainage enhancement with the use of a porous aggregate material in recreational and agricultural applications and the like to that of soil sub-surface stabilization improvement with the use of a solidifying aggregate material for surface level vehicular parking applications and the like.

Abstract: A padding apparatus for padding underground cable or pipeline is provided. The padding apparatus is adapted to continuously separate excavated material piled alongside an excavated ditch into relatively fine padding material and relatively rough residual material as the apparatus moves forward. The padding apparatus continuously places the relatively fine padding material in the ditch. According to the invention, the apparatus includes a frame for supporting and moving an endless openwork in an endless path for lifting excavated material in an elevating direction. The endless openwork has rods and transverse chain sections attached to the rods, whereby the rods and chain sections define openings that allow relatively fine padding material to pass therethrough. A discharge conveyor is positioned beneath at least a portion of the endless openwork of the separator to receive the relatively fine padding material and convey the padding material to the ditch for padding cable or pipeline therein.

Abstract: A pipeline padding machine is provided comprising a crushing mechanism for crushing large pieces of excavated material into smaller pieces of material that are suitable for use in padding a pipeline or underground cable. In preferred embodiments, the crusher comprises two parallel rollers that are arranged with a selected gap between them. The rollers are driven toward each other, such that excavated material that is fed onto the rollers is drawn into the gap, and pieces that are too large to fall through the gap are crushed by the rollers. The crusher mechanism may be installed on a known type of padding machine, preferably at the end of the transverse conveyor over the trench. Alternatively, the crusher may be mounted on the padding machine frame. The output material from the crusher may be screened or otherwise processed, or it may be delivered directly to the trench.

Abstract: A ditch backfilling device and apparatus therefor are disclosed. In particular, the ditch backfilling device includes a mainframe for supporting a compartment for storing the backfill material and a screening system for sorting and directing the backfill material into a ditch. The backfilling device includes a support for holding a roll of warning tape and an application roller for placing the unrolled portion of the warning tape above a uniform structure, such as a pipeline, within a layer of backfill material in the ditch. The warning tape is thereafter buried in subsequent layers of backfill material poured by the backfilling device. The backfilling device also includes a guide structure which is configured to follow the surface of the uniform structure. The guide structure positions a conduit adjacent the uniform structure for burial in the backfill material. The conduit may contain cables for the transmission of communication information or operating instructions.

Abstract: In the process for the construction of trenches in ground containing water and/or gas wherein a trench is due in said ground, support media is introduced in said trench to support the walls formed by the treching, vapor or water conduit means are placed in the trench and the trench with this support media is back-filled with particular material to dispose and remove the support media from the trench, the improvement comprising employing as said support media a hydrated cross linked acrylic polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a drain from a trench in a single pass by lining the trench with a filter fabric, a first layer of bulk material, a drain pipe and a second layer of bulk material. A guide chute guides the filter fabric into the trench, the filter fabric being positioned in the trench adjacent the bottom and one side wall thereof. A pipe chute, having an exit portion, lays the drain pipe on the first layer of bulk material in the trench. A hopper is provided with the bulk material therein and has a first opening through which the first layer of bulk material is poured into the trench onto the filter fabric, and has a second opening through which the second layer of bulk material is poured into the trench onto the drainage pipe. A slidable gate may be provided to control the flow of bulk material through the second opening to permit the installation of lateral drains.

Abstract: An improved padding machine is provided with a shaker assembly that vigorously shakes a moving openwork at a high frequency. The shaker assembly includes resilient mounts for attaching the shaker assembly to the frame of the padding machine, preferably adjacent the supports for an upper portion of the screening belt, which slides across the top of such supports. The rubber or rubber-like resilient mounts support an eccentric shaft that is journalled in associated bearings for rotation beneath an upper portion of the screening belt. The eccentric shaft preferably extends substantially the entire width of the screening belt to either side of the padding machine. A motor is connected to a drive end of the eccentric shaft for rotating the shaft. When the motor rapidly rotates the eccentric shaft, the off-center body of the eccentric shaft causes vibration, which is translated through the resilient mounts to the frame of the padding machine adjacent the supports for the screening belt.

Abstract: A powered, wheeled vehicle for preparing a trough in crushed stone or similar material layed in a trench, and for covering over a field line drain pipe positioned in the trough with the material previously displaced therefrom, said vehicle comprising a body having a rear section and a front section pivotally connected for body articulation together in a substantially horizontal plane, a stanchion having a vertical position axis and a longitudinal axis, is mounted on the body by cooperating pivot elements on the stanchion and on an outer end portion of the front section, the pivot elements allowing the stanchion to be maintained in a generally upright posture on the front section while providing angular adjustability to the stanchion, the adjustability consisting of individual rotational and tilting paths of motion with respect to the vertical position axis, the stanchion further having a work shaft to which any of the implement means can be affixed, and cooperating elements of a first bearing on the work shaf

Abstract: A backfiller and tamper unit (10) is disclosed which is a self contained unit that acts to both backfill and compact soil into a trench for complete restoration. The unit includes a tractor (12) which mounts a vibrator and tamping wheel assembly (14) and a backfill auger assembly (16). The vibrator and tamping wheel assembly (14) is mounted on a mast (50) which is pivotally secured to the tractor for limited arcuate motion from vertical. This permits the mast to be tilted so that the compaction force of the vibrator and tamping wheel assembly is most effectively directed to compact the soil in the trench. The vibrator and tamping wheel assembly is free floating on the mast which isolates the tractor from vibration generated by the vibrator and tamping wheel assembly and provides greater compaction efficiency. Further, the vibrator and tamping wheel assembly can be lifted vertically on the mast by a lift mechanism (62) for storage.

Abstract: A padding machine attachment for a vehicle is provided. When padding of a ditch for a pipeline or cable is required, the padding machine is removably attached in a position at one end of a conventional bucket loader, bulldozer, or other base machine or vehicle, whereby said attachment moves along the path of travel of the vehicle. As the vehicle moves the padding machine attachment along one side of the pipeline ditch, the padding machine attachment picks up at least a portion of a pile of excavated material placed parallel to and along the same side of the ditch and processes the excavated material into padding material for placement into the ditch for padding the pipeline or cable.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading a bedding material in a ditch to provide a bedding layer for laying a pipe thereon is disclosed. The apparatus includes a screened opening which extends for selectively passing bedding material below a readily selected particulate size, and particulate matter above the selected particulate size is directed forward of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a discharge opening having side plates which control the width of the bedding layer. The discharge opening also has a back-skid plate for controlling the vertical thickness of the bedding layer. The back-skid plate is a horizontally extending plate which is adjustable for selectively determining the vertical thickness of the bedding layer deposited.

Abstract: An improved pipeline padding apparatus includes a separator for separating fine material out of spoil which is piled along side an excavation, an elevator for transporting spoil to the separator, and a pair of spaced-apart guide projections for guiding spoil into the elevator. The spaced-apart guide projections form a substantially open bottom extending the width of the elevator between the guide projections. A conveyor is provided to transport the separated fine portion of the spoil back into the excavation, thereby padding the pipeline. The separator, the elevator, the guide projections, and the vehicle are all mounted on a support vehicle. According to one aspect of the invention, one or more rotary feeder assemblies is mounted to the guide projections for assisting in moving spoil through toward the elevator. The rotary feeder assemblies have a low profile so that spoil material and rocks do not become stuck as they move toward the elevator.

Abstract: A padding machine (10, 100) which is capable of separating materials in a spoils bank beside a trench into coarser materials, which are redeposited in the spoils bank behind the machine, and finer materials which are conveyed to the trench for padding the pipeline. The machine includes a conveyor with a conveyor chain which moves around the perimeter of the machine. Material caught by the scraper blade (28) is conveyed by the conveyor chain along a belly pan (70) and thereafter over a plurality of grizzly bars (72). Coarser material which will not pass through the grizzly bars is conveyed by the conveyor chain (56) to the rearward end of the machine and dumped off the rearward end of the machine back to the ground. The finer materials passing through the grizzly bars are again separated by a vibrator unit (76, 104). The depth of the scraper blade can be adjusted by pivoting the entire frame about the wheels (34) at the rearward end of the frame by a hydraulic cylinder (48) pivoting the towing arm (38).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the disposal of biodegradable solid waste material such as as cellulosic material and paper. The apparatus includes a trench cutter for both cutting a trench in the soil and maintaining the trench open to facilitate subsequent deposit of both waste material and soil therein. Waste material to be disposed of is held in a receptacle, and is delivered into the open trench through a dispenser positioned rearward of the trench cutter. A backfiller is also provided on the apparatus for directing borrow soil removed by the trench cutter back into the trench together with the waste material. A mixer is provided rearward of the dispenser and backfiller for mixing the backfilled soil with the waste material within the trench, increasing contact of the waste material with soil microorganisms and moisture and thereby speeding decomposition.

Abstract: An improved pipeline padding apparatus includes a separator for separating fine material out of spoil which is piled along side an excavation, an elevator for transporting spoil to the separator, and a pair of guide projections for guiding spoil into the elevator. A conveyor is provided to transport the separated fine portion of the spoil back into the excavation, thereby padding the pipeline. The separator, the elevator, the guide projections and the vehicle are all mounted on a tracked support vehicle. In one embodiment, the motor of the tracked support vehicle is mounted above and forward of the elevator, which helps reduce the amount of dust that the motor is exposed to during operation. According to another aspect of the invention, the guide projections may be configured to allow excess spoil to flow underneath in such a manner as to smooth out a path for the tracks of the support vehicle.

Abstract: The invention includes a frame, to which is mounted a handle, an engine, drive wheels and an auger. The engine drives the drive wheels, making the apparatus self-propelled and also rotates the auger. Control levers are located on the handle to selectively control the on-off engagement of the drive wheels and the auger to the engine and to control the speed of the drive wheels. As the apparatus propels itself along a trench, the rotating auger moves dirt from the sides of the ground around the trench to inside of the trench. A packer wheel on the handle packs the dirt in the filled trench. The height of the auger relative to the ground is adjustable so as to minimize lawn damage. The auger has a double row of flighting and guide wheels positioned adjacent to the auger to enable the apparatus to be easily steered.

Abstract: A dump platform materials screener includes a horizontally fixed support frame to which is pivotably coupled a materials staging and screening frame. The materials staging and screening frame includes a materials staging area having a bottom region of non-screened material on which may be dumped materials to be screened. A materials screening area adjacent to the non-screened area is provided which extends from the non-screened materials staging area to a first end of the materials staging and screening frame. The materials screening area includes a bottom region including at least one screen having at least a first plurality of openings of at least a first uniform size, for allowing materials to be screened which are of lesser dimensions than that of the uniform size of the plurality of openings to pass through the plurality of openings when the materials to be screened are moved from the materials staging area to the materials screening area.

Abstract: A padding machine used for overlaying a pipeline disposed within a trench with sifted dirt to eliminate contact by rock or other abrasive material with the pipeline and, thereby, preclude rusting, corrosion or like damage. A trench typically lies along the edge of a right-of-way on which the padding machine travels, i.e. pulling, for example, as from a tractor. Raw filling material is introduced onto a shaker driven and/or vibrating screen through the use of, for example, a common backhoe. Rocks or larger sized particles move, by gravity, onto the right-of-way adjacent the side of the machine opposite to that of the trench, where sifted filler material passes onto and from a moving conveyor which is directed toward the desired covering relationship with the pipeline. A feature of the padding machine is the use of a boom which interconnects the freely vertical movable front end of the padding machine to a towing vehicle and includes an hydraulically operated piston for leveling purposes, i.e.

Abstract: A padding machine attachment for a vehicle is provided. When padding of a ditch for a pipeline or cable is required, the padding machine is removably attached in a position at one end of a conventional bucket loader, bulldozer, or other base machine or vehicle, whereby said attachment moves along the path of travel of the vehicle. As the vehicle moves the padding machine attachment along one side of the pipeline ditch, the padding machine attachment picks up at least a portion of a pile of excavated material placed parallel to and along the same side of the ditch and processes the excavated material into padding material for placement into the ditch for padding the pipeline or cable.

Abstract: A system for laying a trench bed layer consisting of fine grained material derived from unclassified fill material. The system includes a main frame that is pivotally supported by a hitch carried by a front end loader. The hitch includes a support bar that extends in the direction of travel of the front end loader whereby the main frame is securable to the support bar so as to extend transverse to the travel direction of the front end loader. Hydraulic cylinders normally used for manipulating the arms of the front end loader vary the attitude or angle of attack of the main frame in accordance with ground slope. The hitch also carries means for pivoting the main frame about a pin connection joining the main frame and the support bar. The system further includes a hopper carried by the main frame into which unclassified backfill material is loaded. A first conveyor transports the fill material from the bottom of the hopper to a vibrating screen.

Abstract: An improved pipeline padding apparatus includes a separator for separating fine material out of spoil which is piled along side an excavation, an elevator for transporting spoil to the separator, and a pair of guide projections for guiding spoil into the elevator. A conveyor is provided to transport the separated fine portion of the spoil back into the excavation, thereby padding the pipeline. The separator, the elevator, the guide projections and the vehicle are all mounted on a tracked support vehicle. In one embodiment, the motor of the tracked support vehicle is mounted above and forward of the elevator, which helps reduce the amount of dust that the motor is exposed to during operation. According to another aspect of the invention, the guide projections may be configured to allow excess spoil to flow underneath in such a manner as to smooth out a path for the tracks of the support vehicle.

Abstract: A pipeline padding machine for use with a motorized carrier is mounted on a flat bed trailer adapted to be hitched to the carrier. Collector apparatus mounted beneath the screening apparatus receives the earth from a discharge at the bottom of the screening apparatus and conveys it to its discharge end which is located laterally of the carrier-trailer when the screening apparatus is in a transverse operational mode. A delivery apparatus pivotally mounted at a receiving end beneath the discharge end of the collector apparatus may in turn receive the earth discharged for delivery at greater distances from the screening apparatus. This delivery apparatus may be supported at its discharge end from the carrier or the trailer so that its discharge end may be located laterally of the carrier-trailer at a selected distance from the carrier-trailer within a variable range of distances.

Abstract: Apparatus for laying flexible pipe within a trench and for embedding the flexible pipe within a bed of gravel in a single operation. The apparatus includes a gravel hopper and a guide sleeve for guiding a pipe to be laid within the trench. The hopper includes a skid or sled arrangement to permit it to be pulled along the trench bottom, and has a width to permit it to be completely positioned within the trench and thereby accommodate a wide variety of trench depths. A feed guide support stanchion extends from the front portion of the hopper for facilitating the feeding of a flexible pipe into a pipe guide inlet positioned adjacent the bottom portion of the front wall of the hopper. The hopper interior is divided into a main, narrow portion, and a rear, enlarged portion, the side walls of which are adapted to engage the side walls of the trench. The hopper rear portion side walls have a small surface area to minimize sliding friction with the trench walls.

Abstract: Apparatus for laying pipe in a trench includes a housing with a bottom, side walls, a leading end wall and a trailing end wall, with a tapered nose at the leading end, the nose being designed to be pulled along a trench by a backhoe. The nose is hinged to the leading end wall and can be pivoted up and down when the housing is moved along the trench. The housing includes a trough which receives and orients a pipe and a pusher which moves the pipe along the trough and into assembled relationship with an end of a previously-laid pipe. A hopper near the trailing end of the housing has a chute which deposits fill material around the pipe. The trailing end wall has an opening with a slidable door to strike off the top of the fill material. Mechanism is connected to the trough and door to simultaneously move them up and down to maintain the pipe on grade and to maintain the depth of fill material constant relative to the pipe.

Abstract: An improved pipeline paddling apparatus includes a separator for separating fine material out of spoil which is piled along side an excavation, an elevator for transporting spoil to the separator, a pair of guide projections for guiding spoil into the elevator and a pair of auger type devices for directing spoil from the guiding projection both toward the elevator and in the elevating direction. A conveyor is provided to transport the separated fine portion of the spoil back into the excavation, thereby padding the pipeline. The elevator, guide and augers are pivotally adjustable as a unit with respect to a tracked vehicle, which provides maximum adjustability. In a second embodiment for use in rocky soil, the auger-type devices are eliminated and the guide projections are given a broader, concave inner guide surface.

Abstract: A compact padding machine for screening and conveying soil into a trench. The machine is usable as an attachment to a conventional bucket loader, bulldozer or other base machine. The padding machine includes a screening belt, an underlying inclined conveyor belt, and a transverse, extendible discharge conveyor belt. Soil is collected and conveyed upwardly on the screening belt. Fine grained soil passes through the screening belt, is deposited onto the inclined conveyor belt, and is discharged therefrom onto the transverse conveyor belt, from where it may be conveyed into an adjacent trench. A hydraulic vibrator is coupled to the screening belt to disaggregate clods of fine-grained soil and cause the soil to pass through the screening belt. Rocks and other large objects are conveyed to the rear of the machine and discharged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for padding a pipeline lying in a ditch by separating fine particles from coarse particles in the material excavated from the ditch and windrowed along the side of the ditch comprising moving a frame supporting a rotating separator drum at the desired distance above ground to engage windrowed material at the level required to obtain sufficient fines to pad the pipeline while rotating the separating drum to separate the fine and coarse material and conveying the fines laterally into the ditch.

Abstract: Fluid leakage through soil in a region thereof is controlled by sequentially passing over the region to dig a plurality of parallel, laterally displaced grooves in the surface. Soil dug from each groove is temporarily stored, and a strip of sheet material is laid over a groove as it is created during each pass, the width of the strip being greater than the width of the groove. Thereafter, the temporarily stored soil is deposited on the strip such that it is covered with soil except along one edge, the other edge of the strip overlying the uncovered edge of an adjacent strip laid down during a previous pass over the region. As a consequence, a first layer of overlapping strips of sheet material covered with soil is installed over the region.

Abstract: A method of excavating a trench (60) wherein lateral confinement such as walls, trenches, vehicular traffic, and the like prevent the accumulation of soil in the confined areas adjacent to the trench (60) and an apparatus for the same. The apparatus (10) consists of a double section belt conveyer, the two sections (12) and (14) connected at an articulable joint (34). The apparatus (10) is capable of selectively raising one end of a section above the other, with the conveyor being supported by axles (25) on which are mounted steerable-drive wheels (21).

Abstract: A multiple pipe chute installation for continually and progressively excavating a trench, laying flexible utility pipe a predetermined vertical distance apart, refining and refilling the soil around the laid pipes, and compacting the refilled soil is disclosed. The installation includes a trenching chain assembly pivotably mounted to the rear of a vehicle for excavating a trench. A multiple pipe chute assembly including a plurality of chutes is pivotably attached to a support frame extending from the trenching chain assembly. A support arm is pivotably attached to the support frame and extends rearwardly of the chute. A backfiller assembly is attached to the end of the support arm and a compacting rod is attached to the support arm adjacent the backfiller assembly. A hydraulic cylinder is attached between an extension of the support frame and the support arm. The chute assembly may be selectively linked to either the trenching chain assembly or the support arm.

Abstract: Backfilling apparatus adapted to be moved along a trench by a tractor includes a chassis, a hitch attachable to the chassis on either side, hydraulic cylinder for varying the attitude of the chassis to the hitch, a hopper mounted on the chassis to receive backfilling material, a variable speed conveyor carrying backfilling material from the hopper to an elevated position, a shredder accepting material from the conveyor, an inclined vibrating screen receiving shredded material and discharging padding fill onto the pipe in the trench and oversize material onto the padding fill in the trench. A grizzly at the hopper mouth can be positioned to discharge large masses of fill on either side or the rear of the chassis.

Abstract: There are disclosed two embodiments of a pipeline padding machine which comprises a first rearwardly inclined conveyor mounted on a vehicle adapted to be moved along a ditch in which a pipeline has been laid and over a row of spoil which has been removed from the ditch, and a scoop on the forward end of the first conveyor for removing a layer of the spoil and deliverying it onto the first conveyor as the vehicle moves over the row of spoil. The first conveyor is arranged to move the spoil rearwardly and thus onto a second screen at its rearward end having means for moving that portion of the spoil which does not pass it in a rearward direction. A second conveyor mounted on the vehicle beneath the screen for receiving spoil which passes it and moving the spoil toward one end of the second conveyor, and a third conveyor is mounted on the vehicle for receiving spoil from the end of the second conveyor and extending laterally of the vehicle for moving that spoil into the ditch and over the pipeline.

Abstract: A drainage method is provided for the construction or renovation of stabilized or grass-covered grounds, particularly sports grounds, and a machine for implementing same. It consists in forming a network of first and second surface drainage trenches which intersect each other, the second trenches being oriented in the direction of the slope and appreciably deeper than the first trenches so as to be provided with drains which are situated below the level of the bottom of the first trenches, the drains communicating with a collector at the side of the ground and the assembly of trenches being filled with filtering material.

Abstract: A cable embedding device comprising a framework for supporting and hydraulically raising and lowering a rock saw and a cable carrying bellmouth relative to two spaced-apart sled-type runners. Each sled carries part of a jet spray system and an eductor system, which spray system creates a slurry and which eductor system carries and discharges the slurry to the back of the device. A hinge and a hinge-roller assembly connect the framework to the device for relative movement therebetween. The bellmouth is shaped to curve around the rock saw, and its pedestal foot supports the bellmouth in the cable embedding and/or trenching operation.

Abstract: A leachate and pollutant drainage barrier system is formed by excavating a narrow slit or slot in the earth in the presence of a reversable slurry mud which changes from a highly viscous character after a predetermined period of time (approximately 5-7 days) needed to maintain the trench open to permit the laying of a drainage pipe at the bottom of the trench and the filling of the trench with a pervious fill, such as gravel, etc. After the fill has been installed, lateral support for the earth walls is provided by the pervious fill material and the slurry reverts to a liquid having a substantially lower viscosity which may be drained via the drain pipe in the bottom of the trench. In a preferred embodiment the slurry is a biodegradable polymer. In addition, a plastic film or layer can be installed in the trench.

Abstract: There is provided a method for forming a subterranean fluid permeation control layer in an area of ground. The method comprises the steps of forming a first portion of a trench of a predetermined depth from the surface of the ground and sequentially widening the trench along one side of the previously formed trench while selectively, simultaneously applying a fluid permeation layer substantially along the bottom surface of the previously formed trench and while at least partly covering the layer with earth removed from the widened portion of the trench being formed until the entire area of the ground is covered. The invention also provides a device for carrying out this method.

Abstract: A pipe or cable laying apparatus includes a quadrilateral linkage device mounting the narrow ripping plow to a tractor and a chute body hingedly mounted to the trailing edge of the plow. The chute body includes a cable conduit compartment therein, and a separate chute and hopper for passing particulate materials through the body, and an auger device provided at the bottom of the body. The auger device is hollow and communicates with the cable conduit. The other end of the hollow auger device communicates with a discharge opening in the bottom of the body while the chute provides a steady gravity flow of particulate material to the auger.

Abstract: A trench digging apparatus which is provided with a safety shield shaped to direct dug dirt back into the trench. The trench digger is also provided with a cable laying device which lays the cable in the dug trench ahead of the refilling dirt. A pipe pulling attachment may also be provided for laying a pipe while digging and refilling the trench.

Abstract: A mechanized unit is provided for digging a trench in the ground and laying elongate objects in the trench, including a motor driven vehicle, a digging wheel connected to the rear of the vehicle, and a reserve connected to the front of the vehicle and containing said elongate objects, and a guide device for laying said objects in the vicinity of the bottom of the trench, the device being connected to the vehicle, said mechanized unit further including a receptacle connected to the vehicle and containing a fine powdery material and means for feeding said material from the receptacle to the guide device so that, during formation of the trench by the digging wheel, said elongate objects are buried in the fine powdery material deposited in said trench.

Abstract: A vertical drainage element is constructed and laid in position while at the same time forming a narrow vertical channel in the ground by means of an excavating machine or trencher by performing the following successive operations:a strip of filtering material is unwound from a rotating roll of strip behind the trencher;the strip is introdued within the channel formed in the ground while being shaped in the form of a trough, the bottom of the trough being placed at the bottom of the channel while the side walls of the trough are placed against the channel walls;the top edges of the trough are held in position one against the other while filling the trough with bulk material in granular form which subsequently constitutes a vertical filtration block;the top edges of the trough of filtering material are closed on top of the completed block and are fastened together so as to form a closed jacket around the block.

Abstract: A padding machine is provided for angularly variable attachment to a mobile ground carrier having a hopper into which soil is placed, a vibratory feeder and screen receiving soil from the hopper, a chute receiving screened soil from the vibratory screen and feeder to deliver the same as padding on a pipeline within a ditch and a power source driving he vibratory feeder and screen.