Method of installing pipelines with minimal removal of soil

Abstract

A method of installing pipelines with minimal removal of soil. A first step involves loosening a ground surface repeatedly inserting and withdrawing a vibrating spade. A second step involves inserting a compactor into the loosened ground surface and compacting the soil to form a narrow open ditch, with minimal removal of soil A third step involves laying pipe in the narrow open ditch.. A fourth step involves closing in the open ditch by collapsing the walls of the ditch.

1 . A method of installing pipelines with minimal removal of soil, comprising the steps of: 
 loosening a ground surface by repeatedly inserting and withdrawing a vibrating spade;    inserting a compactor into the loosened ground surface and compacting the soil to form a narrow open ditch, with minimal soil being removed during formation of the narrow open ditch;    laying pipe in the narrow open ditch; and    closing in the narrow open ditch by collapsing the walls of the ditch.    
   
   
       2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the open ditch being adapted to receive a pipe applicator and the pipe being laid into the open ditch using the pipe applicator.  
   
   
       3 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the compactor being a vibrating compactor.  
   
   
       4 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the narrow open ditch having a top and a bottom, the narrow open ditch being wider at the top than at the bottom.  
   
   
       5 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , the step of collapsing the walls of the ditch being accomplished by a back filling implement associated with the pipe applicator, the back filling implement being adapted to follow the pipe applicator and cover with soil a pipe laid by the pipe applicator, the pipe applicator having a rearward projecting shroud that overlies the pipe to protect the pipe from soil dislodged by the back filling implement.  
   
   
       6 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , the back filling implement having outwardly protruding wings which are adapted to cut into sides of the ditch and move a covering layer of soil from the sides adjacent the bottom of the ditch onto the shroud, the covering layer of soil sliding from the shroud onto the pipe as the pipe applicator advances along the ditch.  
   
   
       7 . The method as defined in  claim 6 , the back filling implement having wings at more than one level.  
   
   
       8 . The method as defined in  claim 6 , the back filling implement having trailing disks positioned at the height of the top of the ditch, that collapse soil from the top sides of the ditch onto the covering layer of soil dislodged by prior action of the protruding wings.