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Automatically steerable trencher

  • US 7,610,700 B2
  • Filed: 01/18/2008
  • Issued: 11/03/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A trencher for digging trenches in the earth comprising:

  • a) a main frame;

    b) an arbor support frame mounted to the main frame;

    c) an arbor rotatably mounted to the arbor support frame;

    d) two rear wheels, each rotatably and co-axially mounted to the main frame, and wherein the arbor is between the rear wheels along their shared axis; and

    e) a front wheel mounted to a front wheel bracket having an upwardly extending shaft which is pivotally mounted to the main frame in front of and substantially in line with the arbor;

    f) a steering motor connected to the main frame above the front wheel and connected to the upwardly extending shaft of the front wheel bracket to selectively change the orientation of the front wheel relative to the main frame to steer the trencher;

    g) a drive motor connected to drive at least one of the wheels in at least one direction; and

    h) a control system for controlling the steering motor to steer the trencher and the drive motor to move the trencher.

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