Walk-behind trenching machine
DCFirst Claim
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1. A walk-behind steerable trencher, comprising:
- a frame;
two independently powered and spaced-apart, ground-engaging drive members positioned on opposing sides of the frame;
a trenching boom comprising;
an elongate boom guide;
an attachment arm defining a transverse pivot joint for pivotally attaching a proximal end of the boom guide to a forward portion of the frame, the transverse pivot joint defining a first transverse axis;
an endless cutting element movable along a perimeter of the boom guide; and
a drive unit attached to the attachment arm, the drive unit for moving the cutting element along the perimeter of the boom guide, wherein the drive unit comprises a driven axle defining a second transverse axis that is offset from the first transverse axis; and
an actuator coupled between the frame and the trenching boom, the actuator operable to pivot the trenching boom, about the first transverse axis, from an operating position, wherein a distal end of the boom is below a ground surface, to a transport position, wherein a distal end of the boom is elevated forward of the forward portion of the frame such that a lowermost portion of the cutting element is positioned above an inclined plane that extends upwardly, forwardly, and tangentially from a forwardmost portion of one of the ground-engaging drive members at an angle of 25 degrees or more from horizontal.
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Abstract
A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a pivot joint that is offset from a drive axis of the trenching chain. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.
39 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A walk-behind steerable trencher, comprising:
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a frame; two independently powered and spaced-apart, ground-engaging drive members positioned on opposing sides of the frame; a trenching boom comprising; an elongate boom guide; an attachment arm defining a transverse pivot joint for pivotally attaching a proximal end of the boom guide to a forward portion of the frame, the transverse pivot joint defining a first transverse axis; an endless cutting element movable along a perimeter of the boom guide; and a drive unit attached to the attachment arm, the drive unit for moving the cutting element along the perimeter of the boom guide, wherein the drive unit comprises a driven axle defining a second transverse axis that is offset from the first transverse axis; and an actuator coupled between the frame and the trenching boom, the actuator operable to pivot the trenching boom, about the first transverse axis, from an operating position, wherein a distal end of the boom is below a ground surface, to a transport position, wherein a distal end of the boom is elevated forward of the forward portion of the frame such that a lowermost portion of the cutting element is positioned above an inclined plane that extends upwardly, forwardly, and tangentially from a forwardmost portion of one of the ground-engaging drive members at an angle of 25 degrees or more from horizontal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A walk-behind steerable trencher, comprising:
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a frame defining a pivot joint located at or near a forward end of the frame; a trenching boom comprising; an elongate boom guide; an endless cutting element movable along a perimeter of the boom guide; and an attachment arm comprising a forward end fixed to the boom guide and an aft end pivotally attached to the frame via the pivot joint to offset the boom guide from the frame, the trenching boom being pivotable, relative to the frame and about the pivot joint, between;
an operating position, wherein at least a portion of the cutting element is positioned below a ground surface upon which the trencher rests; and
an elevated transport position, wherein the boom is suspended forward of the forward end of the frame and above the ground surface at an elevation adequate to prevent contact of the boom with the ground surface during trencher transport over the ground surface; andtwo independently powered and spaced-apart, ground-engaging tracks positioned on opposing sides of the frame, the tracks to fully support the trencher upon the ground surface, wherein a portion of one or both of the tracks defines a forwardmost ground contacting portion of the trencher when the trenching boom is in the transport position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A walk-behind steerable trencher, comprising:
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a frame comprising a forward end and a transverse pivot joint located at or near the forward end; a trenching boom comprising; an elongate boom guide; an endless cutting element located along a perimeter of the boom guide; an attachment arm extending from, and fixed to, a proximal end of the boom guide, the attachment arm to pivotally attach the proximal end of the boom guide to the forward end of the frame via the transverse pivot joint, wherein the trenching boom is pivotable, relative to the frame and about the transverse pivot joint between;
an operating position, wherein at least a portion of the cutting element is positioned below a ground surface upon which the trencher rests; and
an elevated transport position, wherein the trenching boom extends upwardly and forwardly from the transverse pivot joint such that a lowermost portion of the cutting element is positioned at an elevation of five inches or more above the ground surface; andtwo independently powered and spaced-apart, ground-engaging tracks positioned on opposing sides of the frame, the two tracks operable to fully support the trencher at rest upon the ground surface, wherein a portion of one or both of the tracks defines a forwardmost ground contacting portion of the trencher when the trenching boom is in the transport position. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification