Excavation devices and methods

Abstract

In one preferred form there is provided an excavation system ( 10 ) for a vehicle ( 12 ). The excavation system ( 10 ) comprises a body ( 14 ) for connection to the vehicle ( 12 ). An excavation device ( 18 ) is provided for being moved by the vehicle ( 12 ) to excavate material from the ground. A steering system ( 24 ) is provided for altering the steering of the excavation device ( 10 ).

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . An excavation system comprising: a body; and an excavation device for being moved by a vehicle to excavate material from the ground; and a steering system for altering the steering of the excavation device. 
     
     
         43 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the body is provided in the form of a keel-type structure. 
     
     
         44 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the excavation device is inclined to extend towards the vehicle in the direction extending into the ground when the excavation device is being moved by the vehicle to excavate material. 
     
     
         45 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the inclination of the excavation device is backwardly sloping to allow a bottom support bearing housing to clear the base of a trench. 
     
     
         46 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the excavation device comprises an auger. 
     
     
         47 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the body is provided in the form of a keel-type structure and the keel-type structure shields the conduit, while being laid, from excavated earth. 
     
     
         48 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 47  wherein the keel-type structure includes a number of projections that extend along the keel-type structure to restrain soil from falling into the bottom of the trench. 
     
     
         49 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  having an auto pilot system to extend the cutting device and sweep left and right. 
     
     
         50 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the steering system includes a mount having a directional joint for allowing the excavation device to be directed left or right when being moved by the vehicle. 
     
     
         51 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 50  including at least one hydraulic piston arranged either side of the directional joint for steering the excavation device. 
     
     
         52 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the steering system is used to counteract a rotation effect of the excavation device. 
     
     
         53 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the steering system allows for a swing action to be engaged in an automatic continuous swing mode. 
     
     
         54 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the steering system includes a deflector for varying the force applied by the ground to the excavation system to control the degree to which the excavation device turns. 
     
     
         55 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the steering system comprises two moveable surfaces arranged either side of the body for using friction to control the degree to which the excavation device turns. 
     
     
         56 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  including a locking system for selectively assisting with preventing the excavation device from moving backwards. 
     
     
         57 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 56  wherein the locking system comprises a wedge arrangement fir bearing against the side walls of a trench formed by the excavation system. 
     
     
         58 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 57  wherein the wedge arrangement comprises at least one movable abutment the or each for bearing against a corresponding side wall of a trench formed by the excavation system. 
     
     
         59 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the body is provided for connection to the vehicle; the excavation device being connected to the body so as to be disposed forwardly of the vehicle when being moved by the vehicle to excavate material. 
     
     
         60 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 42  including a length laying guide arrangement, the length laying guide arrangement being disposed between the excavation device and the vehicle, when the excavation device is being moved by the vehicle to excavate material, the length laying guide arrangement including an inlet guide arrangement and an outlet guide arrangement, the inlet guide arrangement being adapted to receive a feed of conduit or cable from above in a position between the excavation device and the vehicle; and the outlet guide arrangement being adapted to provide the conduit or cable in a substantially horizontally extending position. 
     
     
         61 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 60  wherein the excavation device is inclined by between 20 to 30 degrees away from vertical. 
     
     
         62 . An excavation system having an inwardly projecting excavation device and a length laying guide arrangement, the excavation device being disposed forwardly of a length laying guide arrangement to allow the excavation device to be driven forwardly and for conduit or cable to be laid therebehind. 
     
     
         63 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 62  wherein excavation device is spaced at least one meter away from the mount arrangement. 
     
     
         64 . An excavation system as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the length laying guide arrangement includes a guide adapted to flex the conduit by about 45 degrees or less. 
     
     
         65 . A method for laying lengths in a trench comprising: positioning an excavation device in front of length laying guide and a vehicle; driving the excavation device in a forward direction using the vehicle and laying lengths using the length laying guide, the length laying guide being disposed between the excavation device and the vehicle. 
     
     
         66 . A method as claimed in  claim 65  including automatically moving the excavation device left and right to counteract a rotation effect of the excavation device