US1415544A - Excavating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

S. GAUTEREAUX.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5, 1919.

Patented May 9, 1922.

ll SHEETS-SHEET- INVENTOR. \siandlg Gaufgpga. ux.

'ATTORNEY.

5 5 e n d W S. GAUTEREAUX. EXCAVATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5, 1919.

Patented May 9, 1922.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR. stancll y lizui'ereahu z BY 1 i O/MM ATTORNEY h'inesai S. GAUTEREAUX.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 5, 1919.

Patented May 9,1922.

H SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' N 3 glnventor mu I .1.

ska-r1619 Gauiereaux.

i Q HE Wfiness S. GAUTEREAUX. EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED MAR. s. 1919. Patented May 9 1922.

I l SHEETS-SHET 4.

Wfiness: o Inveniov slat 19 Gaube'ceaux.

S. GAUTEREAUXa EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

APPUCATION FYILED MAR. 5. 1919.

Patented May 9, 1922 H SHEETS-SHEET 5.

I Witne S. GAUTEREAUXx EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR: 5,4919.

Patented May 9, 1922.

11 SHEET SHEET 6.

luv e n4: 6 v I s'kancllgy Gauteveaux no conga ness:

Wit

s. GAUTEREAUX'.

v EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED MAR. 51.. I919. 1 ,41 5,544, Patented May 9, 1922.

. 11 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

lnvencor, Standb Gauiereaux.

. o o v V r o o 1 sw w can a m Q Q MT.. omwm wj Wiles:

S. GA-UTEREAUX. EXCAVATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAR 5, 1919 v 1 ,41 5 ,54'4 Patented May 9, 1922.

ll SHEETSSHEET B.

S. GAUTEREAUX.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED rm. 5..191 9.

Patented May 9. 1922.

H SHEETS-SHEET 9 Inventor siandle Gauiereawc.

s. GAUTEREAUX.

EXGAVATING APPARATUS.

. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5, 1919. 1,415,544. Patented May 9, 1922,

n SHEETS-SHEET i0.

l'nveniov- /7 :77Z. Stan 11g Gau'be reaux. I

S. GAUTEREAUX.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS. APPLlCATlON man MAR. 5, 1919.

'ing atLos Angeles, in

and rapidly UttlTEfi s ears tics.

STANDLEY GAUTEREAUX, or Los ANGELES,'CALIFOR1\TILAL EXCAVATING APPARAT S.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, S'T'iirmLiiY GA-urn- REAUX, a citizen of the United St'at'es, residthe "county "of Les Angeles andStateof California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Excavating Apparatus, of which the followin is a specification.

lIy invention relates to improvements in has developed new requirements and condi-.

tions that the present equipment of obsolete and antiquated tools and machinery are not adequate to meet and perform; consequently the need and demand for. an apparatus that can expeditiously and satisfactorily perform the necessary work within the time limit allotted "tothis labor; for limited time has become one'of the 'vit'al features of this industry. Consequently there is a necessity will travel over the irrigating course rapidly and effectively. Too great an eii'ipliasis cannot beplac'ed on the feature of limited time when considered in relation to the irrigating trench construction, as many of these trenches must be formed in the time intervening between the harvesting of one crop and the planting of another, which means that every moment lost in trench forming for irrigating is a corresponding loss of growing time to the crop to be planted,

A- feature of my invention is to provide novel means for forming the first or opening cut of the trench, which feature is useful, expedient and easy of operation.

Other features of my invention are to provide novel means for forming the subsequent cuts of the trench and means for removing the material from-said cuts anddischarging it to one side of the trench.v I

The featuresof having a plow in advance 4 for forming a trench in which the lower end of a conveyor can move to carry away the soil, and another plow for turning a two Specification of Letters Patent.

for an apparatus that.

furrow-slices back intothe. conveyor,- and the i can be more. readily thrown fiiito'the conveyor; and also the feature of .a single coir veyor, inclined across the trench'to locate its discharge end on one side of the trench, are in combination primarilynew.

Other features of the iiiVeiltiliale shown in the novel means employed for mountii'ig n separate frames each unitfo'f trench form.- ing apparatus, and also the novel" means employed to raise or lower any, one of said frames separately or alltogetlier for the purpose of clearing away obstructions or for'digging a deeper or shallowertrench" and also for the purpose 'of transportation fromplace-to place; also the means for telescoping'theaxles so that for transportation the excavator can be narrowed to pass throughnarrow roads or gateways. f

Other objects, advantages and features of inventionmay appear" from the faccoin panying drawings, the detaildesicription and the appended claims.

The ac'c'omlfi'anying drawings illustrate the I invention: q q

F lgure 11s a sideelevation oft-he excavator partly diagrammatically shown, Tim- Patented 'MayB, 1922,

provision of rimles's sprocketwheels in' the conveyor so that the two furrow-slices material detail being omitted on account of-Q the small scale'on which the figure is drawn. Fig. 2 isa plan view of what-is shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is aplan view of the excavator diagrammatically shown; and also showing a special means for propelling-the excavator through" exceedingly refractory material.

Fig. 4 is a section through the'g 'oi'ind especially adaptedfor forming. p

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal View throughtlie trench leveler that, is attached to the excavator and drawn behind, as shown in Figs. l and 2.

showing a trench for which the excavator is Fig. 6 isa fragmentary part of the front.

end of the excavator showing the'fro'nt truck "and associated parts in side elevation. I Fig. 7 1s asectiontaken on the line 1: 0 0

of Fig. ,6 parts'beingomitted 1 and partsbea larger scale. 1

Fig. 8 is a planview 6f the mechanism shown in Fig. 6, parts being omitted and parts beingbroken away and parts'being ioo iio

ing broken away, and the figure "di'a'wn to of Fig. 8 showing the parts enlarged to the same scale as Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a broken fragmentary portion of the excavator shown in side elevation, said portion being taken just to the rear of the portion of the excavator shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of what is shown in Fi 10, parts broken away.

Fig. 12 is av side elevation of the sector and lever mechanism for controlling the upper ends of the plow beams; the view being taken on the line m w Fig. 11, parts being broken away and parts being omit-ted.

Fi 18 is a section taken on the line b I a3 -rc of Flg. 12, parts being broken away,

Flg. let 1s a section taken on the line a -50 Fig. 13, parts being broken away and parts omitted.

Fig. 15 is a section taken on the line ne -.119 Fig. 10 showing a portion of the bottom part of the excavator in sectional plan view.

Fig. 16 is a section taken through the lower part of the frame on the line ar -e2 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a section on the line ra -x of Fig. 1, on a larger scale ans showing in sectional plan view a part of the excavator that is in the rear of and joins to the part shown in Figs. 10 to 18 inclusive.

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the plows and bottom portion of the conveyor shown in Fig. 19, many parts being omitted for the sake of clearness and the )eams being shown in section.

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the advanced or right hand plow shown in Fig. 19 entirely separated from its associated parts and the beam being shown in section.

Fig. 22 is a plan view of the rear or left hand plow shown in Fig. 19 entirely separated from its associated parts, and the beam being shown in section.

Fig. 23 is a section through a trench two furrows deep showing how the plow and conveyors shown in Fig. 20 would appear therein parts being omitted and broken away.

Fig. 24 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the conveyor shown in Figs. 19 to 23 inclusive, some of the associated parts being shown in perspective and parts being omitted and parts being broken away.

Fig. 25 is an enlarged detail view of the chain conveyor shown in Fig. 2 1.

Fig. 26 is a section taken on the line m -m of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a plan view of one of the rimless conveyor wheels shown in 2.)

section on the line m -00 section on the line w -x Fig. 28 is a section on the line w -:0 Fig. 1 showing the means for driving the rimless conveyor wheels and also the means for raising and lowering the frames that have attached thereto the trench forming apparatus.

Fig. 29 is a section on the line 90 02 Fig. 28, parts being omitted and parts being broken away; showing the ends of one of the frames on which the trench forming apparatus is mounted brought near together by breaking away the center portion of the frame, in order to show how the drums operating in pairs raise and lower these frames.

Fig. 30 is a section on the line or -fir Fig. 29, showing a pair of sheave pulleys and their mounting.

Fig. 31 is a slightly enlarged and reversed view of the lower left iand corner of Fig. 28, parts broken away and omitted, showing in detail the attachment for connecting the cables to the bottom of the sliding frames. I

Fig. 32 is a side elevation of the chain tightener shown in Fig. 28, the chain and pinions being shown by dotted lines and also an altered position being shown by dotted lines.

Fig. 33 is a section taken on the line m -00 Fig. 29, parts omitted and parts broken away. 7 I

Fig. 34- is a plan View of what is shown in Fig. 38.

Fig. 35 is a section taken on the line se -x Fig. 8 1, parts being broken away.

Fig. 36 is a section on the line re -w Fig. 341, parts being broken away and parts being omitted.

Fig. 37 is a section on the line w -w Fig. 33, parts omitted and parts broken away. I

Fig. 38 is a vertical section through the main frame, the center of the cross plates being broken away and the uprights and the longitudinal. angle irons brought closer together.

Fig. 39 is a section on the line m'"'"a:"' Fig. 38, showing how the upper cross plates and upper angle irons are riveted to the lower flange of the upper longitudinal angle iron.

Fig. 410 is a section on the line ai -1r Fig. 38, showing the intermediate cross plate riveted to the upright angle irons.

Fig. 11 is a central vertical section through one of the frames to wnich the excavating apparatus is attached, the ap paratus being omitted.

Fig. 42 is an enlarged plan view of one of the brackets for securing the upper co ners of the frame shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is another view of'the bracket above described. 7

Fig. 4.4: is an enlarged plan view of one of the upper corners of the frame for carrying the excavating apparatus, the latter not being shown.

Fig. 45 is a section on the line M Fig. 44, showing an inner view of the foregoing mentioned corner of said frame Fig. 46 is a section on the line w-m Fig. 41, showing in detail, oneof the lower corners of the sliding frames.

Fig. 47 is a section on the linerF-aa Fig. 46, showing another view of the foregoing corner.

In detail, the main frame 1' of the excavator consists of pairs of lower longitudinal angle irons or base plates 1 and upper longitudinal angle irons or plates 2 respectively, which are spaced apart'in width by the cross pieces 3 and 4 spaced in height by a plurality ofangle irons 5 which are riveted to the cross pieces 3 and 4 and also the angle irons 1 and 2; also intermediate cross plates 6 are riveted to the upright angle irons 5.

At both the forward and rearward ends the longitudinal angle irons are bent inwardly-to form a narrower frame between the wheel bases of the excavator; and these bent in portions have additional cross pieces,

plates and braces to form a substantial main main frame is suspendedbetween the wheel bases. I

The wheel support for the main frame is substantially alike for both front and rear ends except that inposition the steering mechanism is reversed; so that the detail description of the wheel support of one end of the excavator will also describe the other.

The wheels 9 are mounted in the telescoping axle 10, which latter is secured centrally in a spring supporting block 11. Between said block 11 and a plate 12 there. are

mounted the springs 13; and a bolt14 which 1 passes through the'eyebolt 8 and'block 11 and-which straddles the telescoping axle 10, has its ends secured to the plate 12 by which means the main frame is spring supported and suspended on said wheel base.

Pivoted on the eyebolt 8 is the segmental gear frame 15 which has its forward part on the front end of the excavator connected the gearlt)inorder to hold it in any desired fixed position. z

Integral with the frame 15 and "on opposite sides thereof, and astride of-the telescoping axle 10, are the upright arms 24 with their sides next to the axle lO andv bearingagainst the latter so" that when the frame 15 is turned-by the-steering mechanism' consisting of 'segment17, pinion 18,

gear 19, steering post 20 and handwhe el 21,

twoof the arms'24 will contact withthe axle 10,011 opposite sides thereof and thereby turn the wheels 9 in one'directi'on; and

when the steering wheel-*is reversed, the

other two-arms 24 will turn the axle 10' and wheels 9 in the other direction.

From the foregoing it can readily be seen that the main frame is suspended from the 'front andrear axles and held bygravityin a balanced position so that the axles "and wheels-associated therewith are free to have a side rocking motion relative to said frame whereby the excavator can be moved over uneven "ground without the -frame *tilting from an upright vertical position;-in other words, the pivoted U bolt connection between thetrucks and frame and the heavier weightedbottom of the-frame enables the I latter to maintain a balanced vertical position. P

irons5 of the main frame 'are' arranged in As seen in the drawings,the vertical angle frame; fand' positioned so that the inner angle of each angle iron forms a cornerof a rectangular space into which the frames 25, 111,112, 113, and 114 are 'slidably fitted. And these rectangular spaces are ofincreasing length from'the front to the rear of the excavator, and consequently these frames are of relativelyincreasing length. a

The frames25, 111, 112, 113 and 114 are formed with the bottom, top, and angle irons 26, 27 and 28 respectively; and'also the up,- rightangle irons 29 all of which have their ends riveted to cornerbrackets 30, 31 and 32 respectively so as to-"form a substantially riged frame, as shown in Figs. '40 to 46 inclusive. v

As seen in 2, 10, Hand 15, the

frame nearestto the front trucks of the 'excavator, is provided with a combination of trench forming apparatus that are at.

justably mounted on said frame.

As shown in SMCl figures, but best in Flg.

.15Qthe're is'a pair of longitudinal plates 2 having their ends. secured by bolts 34 to the end plates 28 of the frame 25; and'by means of a plurality of holes 35 spaced apart in the end plates28, said plates 33 .are adjustablr relatirc LC; the space between them; said adjustment having for its object the forming of trenches of various widths.

Toward the forward end of the frame 25, and secured to the plates 33 by bolts 36 is a pair of spaced plates 37 having bolt holes 36 corresponding to similar bolt holes 39 in the plates 33; the purpose of said bolt holes being for the adjustment of parts as above stated v for forming trenches of various widths.

Secured to the plates 37 by the bolts 40, are the short cross plates 41 by the crossing of which with the plates 37 a squared hearing surface is formed for the beams 42, on the bottom end of which are mounted the coulters 43. The means stated for holding the coulter beams is relatively the same both at top and bottom; except that at the latter place there is a cross plate at that is adjustably secured to the beams 42 by bolts 45; said plates a l resting on plates 41 and limiting the downward movement of said coulter beams. All the plow, coulter and elevator beams have a similar adjustable mounting.

in the rear of the coulters and near the center of the frame 25 are two otherpairs of cross plates 46 having their ends secured with bolts t? to the plates 26 of the frame 25; and by means of a plurality of spaced bolt holes &8 in the plates 26, said cross 'plates 46 are adjustable longitudinally of the excavator.

Tn the slates 33 are also bolt holes 48 so spaced that when the plates 16, which have intermediate bolt holes 48 therein, are shifted. certain bolt holes L8 in the plates are adapted to register with certain bolt holes 48 in the plates 46, which thus may be secured in such registering positions by means of the bolts 47. The spacing between the holes 35 in the angle irons 28 corresponds to the spacing between the holes 4.8 in the plates t6, and the spacing between the holes lS in the angle irons 26 corresponds to the spzuuing between the holes 48 in the plates 3?), so that the plates 4-6 may be adjusted to parallelism with the angle irons 26 and the plates 33 may be adjusted to parallelism with the angle irons 26 and to positions at right angles to the angle irons 28 and the plates 46.

There are also two pairs of cross plates 49 which are secured by the bolts 50 to the plates to; the crossing of said plates l6 and forming a square bearing for the bottom end of the plow beams 51 to which end the plows 51 and 52 are attached respectively. These plow beams and plows are limited in their downward movement by the cross plates l-i that are secured to the beams 51 by the bolts 45.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 15, the plow 52 is a sufficient distance in advance of the plow for the former to throw its furrowslice directly on top of the furrow-sliceto cut and thrown by the latter so that the plow 53 throws two furrow-slices out to one side of the trench, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 10.

Following the plow 53 and to one side of the same is the deflecting scraper 5% that engages the material excavated by the plows 52 and 53 and removes it a considerable distance from the trench. This scraper is mounted on the lower end of the vertical beams 55, which latter are slidably mounted at top and bottom in the squared bearing formed by the crossing of the plates 56 and 57 secured by bolts 58. The plates 57 are secured by bolts 59 to the top and bottom plates 26 and 27 respectively of the frame 25. The plates 56 and 5'? and the frame plates 26 and 2? have a plurality of spaced bolt holes 60 and 60 respectively for adjustment of the parts for the purpose aforementioned.

Secured to the plates 57 by the bolts 61 are the cross plates 62, the crossing of which forms a square hearing at both the top and bottom of the excavator for the vertical beams 63, to the bottom end of vhich are secured the coultcrs 6a.

Secured to the ends of the plates 26 of the frames 25 are the brackets 65 to which is preferably secured the turn buckles 66, one end of which is attached to the cable 62'; and these brackets 65, turn buckles 66 and ends of cable 67 are near to the lower corners of the frame 25.

Two of the cables 67 which are on one side of the frame 25 pass directly upward and are attached to the drums 68 on the shaft 69 by the set screws '70 as shown in Figs. 28 and The other two cables on the opposite side of the frame pass upward and over the sleeve pulleys 71 which are suitably mounted in the brackets 72 which latter are secured to the cross plates 6 of the main frame; and are thence extended across thev upper part of the frame 25 to the drums 68 and are secured to the. latter as are the other cable ends.

There are a plurality of the shafts 69 mounted end to end in the bearing blocks 73, as shown in Fig. 3a, which bearings are secured to the plates 6 of the main frame, so that each shaft is free to rotate independently of the other; which independent movement enables any one of the frames 25, 111, 112, 113 and lll to be raised or lowered separately or simultaneously.

This independent action of the frames is one of great utility, and great emphasis is placed on the importance of this feature of the invention; as it is often necessary to stop the excavator and to elevate the excavating apparatus from the trench for the purpose of sharpening the digging points or replacing bent or broken ones.

In trenchforming', it is quite often the case that obstructions are encountered requiring. manual means for their removal; such as rocks toolarge for the excavator to handle; in which case any one of theaforeelevated frame may be returned to its former position and the excavating operation resumed without having changed or altered the position of the other frames.-

Thisfeature of the invention is especially advantageous when the trench, is beingconstructed to asurveyed line and cut to a predetermined grade. It is also of great utility in preparing the excavator for transportation to other work when through at one place, as all the frames may be simultaneously elevated and. the excavator moved away. Integral with the drums GS-arethe pinions-74=, the latter having their teeth-meshing with the teeth of the gears 7 5 which are loosely mounted on-the shaft 7-6-each havingi extending from the side thereof the sleeve 77 mounted on the bearing 7 3 a-ndprovided with means for preventing movement longitudinal ofthe shaft 7 6, asshown in Figs. 35 and 36; i On -the'other side of each gear and integrall therewith is one member 78 of the of the bearing '7 3. To one side of the lever" 81 and integral therewith is the tooth 84'- which is adapted-to mesh with the'saw'tooth depressions 85 in the springclasp 86, saidclasp being secured to the bracket- 73 and adapted to hold said lever in position when the clutch*79 is either in or out of clutchingengagement, as shown in Figs; 82, 35, 36;

As seen-in Figs- 1 and 2, the shaft-76 extends from I near the forward end of the ex cavator: throughout the series of frames 25, 111, 112, 11.3, and 114 to near the rear end;v

The forward en dof the shaft 76 is pro vided with the beveledgear- 87' that meshes with the beveled gear 88 on the jack shaft 89 whichshaft has its endsmounted in-the bearings 90 and9 1 respectively 7 Secured to the jackshaft 89 is the-sprocket wheel- 92 which is connected by the chain. 93 to asprocket-94e. Themountingofthe sprockehwheel 94? is similar to the gear" and clutch mounting as shown in Fig. 36; the sprocket wheel'94 being loose on the engine shaft 95 and operated bythelever'and clutch mechanism 96;

The engine 97 may be of any standarc type'and' mounted on the frame of the eX- cavator in any desired manner.

Through the connection of the drums 68to" the engine 97, and the intervening clutch means, any one or all of the frames 25, 111, 11 2,: 118' and 114: and their attached excavating. apparatu'smay be raised or lowered separately or simultaneously, the mechanism connecting each frame to the engine being substantially the same,

As;seen in Figs; 28'and 88, means is provlded for holdmgeach'fra-me in an elevated position, consisting of a dog .98 which has one end pivoted on the pin" 99 which is secured to the side of the bearing 78; The other end of thedog 98 has a tooth 100 which meshesw-ith the teeth of the pinion 7:4 and thereby preventing the rotatioriof th'edrum 68 in the direction that would enable the' frames to" descend;

As the'drum is revolved-in the direction to elevatethe frames,- the teeth of'the pinion-74 push thetooth out ofengagement;

The dog. 98 is-heldin-engagement with hand-rod 102 which is pivotally connected to the toothed end of the dog: 98 by the pin;

103. To one side of the rod l0-2 and integral therewith is thelatch 104 which,-when-the rod 102 is drawn downward :to' disengage the dog 98, is manually moved tothe underside ofthe pin 105which issecured inthe plate 6.

As previously stated, anyone or all o'fthe frame's may be raised or lowere'd'separatdy or simultaneously and so mamtained in any desired position,- the reason for which has Attention is called,-

been fully explained. however, to the special construction-of the para lle-l' shafts 69 and 1 7 6 and their associatedparts 'by means of which-the raising On the gears 7 5 of the 'shaft '76 are sleeveextensions which havesimilar notched endssecured in the bearings 73, which mechanism" and not be deflected upward consist inlapair of guides 106 atthe top ofthe frame 25 and secured tothe longitudinal-1 top plates 33,

between which guides and the plates 33 there are slidably mounted the bearing plates 107 through which the upper ends of the plow beams 51 extend.

Pivotally connected to one end of each of the plates 10? are the rods 108 the other end of the rods being connected pivotally to the arm 108, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, and controlled by the hand lever 109, which lever is provided with a sector 109 and latch 109 for holding the plates 10? in any desired position and consequently tilting the plow points to out either deeper or shallower.

By moving the lever 109 either toward the front or rear of the excavator the upper ends of the plow beams51 will also be moved and cause the plow points to be raised or lowered and thereby alter their cutting effect in the ground.

To the lower part of the plow beams 51 there may be secured one end of the chain 110 the other end of which may be secured to the longitudinal plates 33 to help resist the backward thrust of the soil against the plows.

In the rear of the frame 25 and its associated parts are the frames 111, 112, 113, and 11% which are substantially like the frame 25 except in length; and each of these frames are relatively longer from the front to the rear of the excavator; and the excavating mechanism in said frames is practically the same except that the elevator in each frame 15 relatively of greater length. So a detailed description of one of these frames and its associated parts describes all the others; and the frame 111 and the mechanism with it will be described.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 19 to 36 inclusive, the frame 111 is provided with longitudinal plates 115 at top and bottom which are adjustable sidewise of the excavator by bolts and a plurality of registering bolt holes as in frame 25. The cross plates 116 have the same means for adjustment. Within the squares formed by the crossing of the plates 115, 116 and the plates 117 are the vertical beams 118to which beams and the frame plates the excavating apparatus is secured.

Near the front of the frame 1.11 is the beam HR to the lower end of which is secured the routers 119 immediately in the rear of which is the plow 120 which, as shown in Figs. 19 to 23 inclusive throws its furrow-slice dirertly on top of the furrow-slice of plow 121. This plow 121 throws the double furrowslicethus formed back into the rear of plow 120 directly into the rimless sprocket wheel. 122. as shown by the arrows in Figs. 10, 20 and 23.

The sprocket wheel 122 is mounted in the lower end of the conveyor trough 123, which extends upwardly and has its upper end slotted and slidably mounted on the pins 123 which are secured to the supports of the sprocket wheel 124. As shown in Fig. 2 1, the under portion of the trough 123 is cut away at the upper end to make a discharge port for the dirt.

Gn the rimless sprocket wheel 122 as well as on the rimless sprocket wheel 1241. is mounted an endless conveyor 125 consisting of the chains 126 to which are secured the dirt removing disks 127, as shown in Figs. 21 to 27 inclusive.

The conveyor is driven by means of the shaft 128 one end of which is connerted by the universal joint 129 to the shaft of the sprocket wheel 124, the other end having the bevel pinion 130 which meshes with the gear 131 on the shaft 132. On said shaft 132 is mounted the clutch 133 and the sprocket wheel 13% which is connected with a sprocket wheel 135 on the shaft 76 by the sprocket chain 136 to which is suitable connected a chain tightener 137 to hold it in the right working tension when the frame 111 is either raised or lowered.

By the'means above mentioned the conveyor 125 is moved to elevate the material thrown up by the plows 120 and 121 and thrown into the rimless sprocket wheel'122 and onto the chains 126 and between thedisks 127.

As the conveyor 125 travels in the direction of the arrows, as shown in Fig. 2 t, the dirt or material from the double furrow is forced up the inclined trough 123 and discharged at the upper end of said trough and to one side of the trench.

From the foregoing description of the construction and operation of the frame 111 and the fact that the excavating mechanism of the frames 112, 113 and 114 is substantially like that of frame 111, it will be seen that. the excavating apparatus of each of these frames will cut a trench two furrows wide and one furrow deep and discharge the excavated material to the side of the trench as the excavator advances.

By the adjusting means of the frame plates heretofore described the excavators ofcach frame may be set so that the walls of each cut will be in the same vertical plane, or that the furrows will be of decreasing width and thereby form a trench similar to that shown in cross section in Fig. l, in which are shown five different cuts. a, b, c, d and e.

As shown in Figs. 11- 29. and 33, the drums 64 are in pairs, and of increased diameter from the front to the rear of the excavator in order to lift the excavating apparatus practically to the same level when the excavator is to travel idle from place to place.

The drums 68 in the frame being of less diameter than the drums 63 in the frame 111; and the drums 68 in the frame, 111 Le ing smaller than those in the frame 112; and the other drums being of relatively in.-

creasing size, the same rotation of the shaft- 69 will lift these framesto relatively higher levels and thereby bring the excavating apparatus attached to each frame up to substantially the same level.

The excavating apparatus of 'each frame being relatively deeper-in'the trench from;

the front to the rear ofthe machine, in operation, in order to lift these-excavatorsclear of the trench and ground andbring them into alinement for travel from placetoplace,

each pair of drums fromthe front tothe rear of the-excavator must be of greater diameter.-

the gear 138 which meshes withapinion 139 on the jack shaft 1&0 which is secured to the cross plate 6 at the rear of the excavator. This shaft 140 has near each end thereof the sprocket wheels 1411 which are connected to the sprocket; wheels 142 which are secured to the rear axles 10,,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

By the above described means, the excavator. may not only be propelled from place to place under its own power,but also for the formation of ordinary-irrigation trenches. In the event, however, of unusually refractory material being encountered and consequently'additional power is required to propel the excavator, a coupling ring 1% is provided at the forward end thereof to which a tractor may be attached, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.; Or; a tongue 16 may be secured to the forward'trucks to which horses or mules maybe hitched, as shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive.= Where suchadditional power is not available, another means may be employed which is diagrammaticaly shown in Fig. 3: Thedruin lt6is secured to the platform-of the forwardend of the excavator, and to the shaft of the drum 11-6 is securedthe sprocket wheel let-7 which isconnected by a chain 148 to the sprocket wheel 149 on the engine shaft, said shaft beingprOvided with the clutch 150, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6,-and 7.

A cable 151 secured at one end to another 152 passes thence to theforward endof the excavator: through the pulley 153 and is coiled on the drum 146 from whichthe (cable passes through the pulley-154 and-back to the rear anchor 155.

By use of'the above; described means. a great amount of power is; applied to: the cable and the excavatormoved forwardor rearward. Theability: of the excavator to be propelled rear'wardly is of reat utility in thatit-may be moved out of t -he way of obstructions to be removed by blasting or other follower 156 is a trough with open ends pref? erably made of sheet iron and substantially the width; of; the bottom cutin. the, trench-.'. It; is of, considerablelength and is providedwith the discharge ports 158 in; its bottom. Being open at both ends, any ,high points ofdirtin the trenchwill be out off by. the front endof the follower .and'pass into thefollower; and should there be any low spots in the trench-the dirt in the followerwill drop throughthe dischargeports 158, which, for the purpose of. guiding the loosened material,

downwardly, are provided;;with downward.- lyconvergi-ng edges, as .shown'inFig. 5, and fill the depressions. Y v

In operation, the excavator. ispropelled under; its ownpower tothe place where thetrench or trenchesare to be formed; in the meantime of course: the frames carryingthe excavating apparatus are elevated and 5 held.

clear of the groundby means of the dogs 98- engaging. the pinion, wheels 7% to. keep the drums68- from rotation.

lVhenthe excavator isinposition to begin the operation of trench digging, the clutches. 79 [are thrown .into engagement ands'the dogs 9.8- released and the: frames lowered. to theground under, the retarcl-ingmower of'the' en gi-ne.- Theiclutches -79 -are-then disengaged so that the shaft 76 is free to rotate without drivingthe-drums -68; to thereby operate the conveyors 125 and-to also propel the Lexcavator-forward. v 7 Then the depth and widthadjustment of; each of the central excavating; apparatus is accomplished by the cross plate and bolt adjustm'ents heretofore described; the engine is put into operation-and theexcavatorpropelledforward to form the trench.

The construction illustrated and described may admitof changes and modifications,and

Imayma-ke suchchanges without departing from the spirit of: my invention.

I claim: 7

, 1. In air-excavator,aframegpairsofbeams spaced apart andfmounted. in. said. frame saiddieams adapted i to .move, verticallyindependent. ofsaidtframe; pairs ofplow-s, on.the lower. ends of said beams,. said,,plows ar rangedso that one plow: of eachpair is in ad- Vance of the-othen; plates for limiting the movement of said beams; and a/flexible connection between said plows and saidframe;

' 2. In. anexcavator, a frame; pairs of beams spaced; apart.- and perpendicular in saideframe said. beams adapted. to move} vertical independently of, said, frame; ,pai'rs ofsplowson the lowerends of said-beams. said plows arranged with one plow of each pair in advance of the other so that the advanced plow of each pair of plows throws its furr w-slice on lip of the furrowslice of the rear plow of such pair; and means for mov ing the upper ends of said beams to tilt the plows.

3. In an excavator, a main frame; other frames 'slidably mounted within said'main frame; beams slidably mounted within said other frames; excavating apparatus secured to one end of said beams and adapted to a forward and a tilting movement; a shaft mounted in said main frame; a countershaft in said main frame for each of said other frames, said countershafts abutting end to end; a driving connection between said shaft and said countershafts; and a connection between said countershafts and said other frames whereby the latter may be raised or lowered.

4C. In an excavator, a main frame; other frames slidably mounted in said main frame and movabl independent of one another; beams slidably mounted in said other frames; excavating apparatus comprising plows, coultersand elevators secured to lower ends of said beams and adapted to a forward and a tilting movement; a shaft; a countershaft for each of said other frames; drums on said countershaft; cables connecting said drums with said other frames; and a driving connection between said shaft and said countershafts for the purpose specified.

5. In an excavator, a main frame; other frames movably mounted in said main frame and movable independent of one another; beams mounted in said other frame; excavating apparatus comprising plows and cutters arranged in pairs and elevators for removing dirt displaced by the plows and coulters that are mounted on lower ends of said beams and adapted to a forward and a tilting movement; a shaft; a plurality of countershafts; a drum and cable connection between each of said other frames and said countershafts; gear connection between said shaft and said countershafts; and clutches for controlling said gear connection.

6. An excavator comprising a plurality of plows arranged in pairs and in spaced relation to one another; and rigidly secured upon beams mounted so as to be vertically adjustable in the excavator, the arrangement of the plows being such "that each pair of plows forms a two furrow trench one furrow deep and with the center of each trench of each pair of plows in vertical and longitudinal alinement.

7. An excavator comprising a plurality of plows arranged in pairs and in spaced relation to one another; and rigidly secured upon beams mounted so as to be vertically adjustable in the excavator, the arrangement of the plows being such that each pair of plows forms a two furrow trench one furrow deep and with the center of each trench of each pair of plows in vertical and longitudinal alinement; and means for adjusting said pairs of plows to form a trench of greater or less width and depth.

8. An excavator comprising pairs of plows arranged with a forward and rear plow in each pair; and also arranged so that the forward plow of the pair at the front end of the excavator throws its furrow-slice on top of the furrow-slice of the rear plow so that the rear plow of said pair throws a double furrow-slice out to the side of the excavator; and with the other pairs of plows arranged so that the forward plow of each pair thereof throws its furrow-slice on top of the furrow-slice of the rear plows of said other pairs so that the rear plows throw a double furrow-slice toward the furrows of the forward plows of said other pairs and into conveyors arranged behind each of said other pairs of plows.

9. In an excavator, the combination of traction wheels; axles mounted in said wheels; spring mounted bearings connected to said axles; a frame having longitudinal base plates positioned below said axles; an excavating apparatus mounted in said frame, said excavating apparatus having its heaviest portion positioned near said base plates; and pivoted connection between said frame and said axles whereby the equilibrium of said frame will be maintained.

10. In an excavator, the combination of traction wheels; axles mounted in said wheels; spring mounted bearings connected to said axles; a frame having longitudinal base plates positioned below said axles; steering apparatus on said frame for guiding said axles; excavating apparatus mounted in said frame and having its heaviest portion positioned near to a center between said base plates; a pivoted connection between said frame and said axles whereby the equilibrium of said. frame will be maintained; and means for moving the excavator, for the purpose specified.

11. In an excavator the combination of a frame having excavating apparatus mounted therein; axles; traction wheels on the axles; sleeves on the axles, in which sleeves ,1 'd axles are adjustably mounted. so that said axles may be lengthened or shortened relative to the width of said excavator; a pivoted connection between. the frame and said sleeves whereby the axles may be swungto different positions; a steering apparatus for swinging the axles to the different positions; and means for moving said excavator, for the purpose specified.

12. In an excavator, the combination with a main frame, of traction wheels; axles in the wheels; spring supported bearings pivotally connecting said main frame and said axles; other frames mounted so asto be vertically ,movable withln said mam frame;

trench forming plows and conveyors rigidly and operably mounted in said other frames;

and means for moving said excavator to I form a trench. o

13. In an excavator, the combinatlon with a mainframe, of traction wheels; axles in saidwheeis; spring supported bearings pivotally connecting sa d mam frame and said axles; steering apparatus adapted to swing said axles; other frames mounted so. as tobe vertically-movable within said main frame; trench forming plows and conveyors rigidly mounted in said other frames; a shaft mounted on the main frame; a connection between the conveyors of said other frames shaft and the countershaft; a connection be and said shaft; and means for driving said shaft.

let. Inan excavator, thev combination of a main frame; other frames movably mounted within said main frame; excavating apparatus mounted in said other frames; a shaft mounted in the main frame; a countershaft in said main frame; means for driving said shaft; a rotating connection between the tween said countershaft and said other frames whereby the said countershaft may be moved; and means for moving said excavator, for the purpose specified, I

15. In an excavator, the combination with a main frame of other .frames movabl mounted within said main frame; excavatin giapparatus mounted in said other frames a shaft mounted in the main frame; a countershaftin said main frame; means for drivmg said shaft; a rotating connecting between said shaft and said countershaft; .a cable and drum connection between the countershaft and said other frames whereby the latter may be raised and lowered; means for; stabilizing the excavating apparatus;

and means for moving said excavator, for the purpose specified. e

16. In an excavator, the combination with a main frame, of other frames. mounted within said main frame; excavating apparatus mounted in said other frames; a shaft cmounted in said main frame; a countershaft in said main frame; means for driving said shaft; a gear and pinion connection between said shaft and said countershaft; a cable' and drum connection between said countershaft and saidother frames whereby the other frames may be raised or lowered;

apparatus and means mounted in said main frame; countershafts in said main frame 'means for driving said shaft;= a gear and ,pinionjjconnection between said shaft and said countershafts; a; cable and drum connection between said countershafts and said other frames whereby theother frames may be raised orlowered;

means for stabilizingthe excavating apparatus, means for raising and'lowering each of said other frames separately or simultaneously; means for holding one or all of the a said other frames in an elevated position; and means for moving said excavator, for

the purpose specified; a V 18. In an, excavator, the combination 'with a'maln frame, of other frames mountedw1thin said main frame; excavating apparatus mounted v in said other frames; a; shaft mounted 1n sald main frame; countershafts in said main frame; meansfordr vmg said shaft; gear andpinion connections between said shaft and said countershafts; clutches onsaid shaft controlling said connections wherebysaid shaft maybe driven independently ofsaid countershafts;-drums on said countershafts; cables connecting said drums with said other frames whereby-said frames may be raised and lowered; meansfor stabilizing the excavating apparatus and means for moving said excavator, for the purpose specified. i

19. In an excavator, the combination with a main frame, of other frames mo'unted within said-main frame; excavating apparatusmounted insaid other frames a shaft mountedin said main frame; countershafts insaid main frame; means for driving said shaft; a gear andpinion' connection between the shaft and the countershafts; drums on said countershafts, saiddrums being'in pairs and: each pair increasing in diametrical-size,-'

from the forward to the rearward ends of the excavator; and cablesconnecting each pair of saiddrums with one of said other frames whereby the increasing diameter of each pair of'drums will be the means of raisingzsaid other frames to relatively increasing higher planes thereby bringing the bottomi partof said excavating apparatus into edge alignment when said other frames are elevated; means for stabilizing the excavating J cavator. 1

20. An excavator comprising a main frame, other frames slidably mounted in said main frame,pairs of plows in each of said other frames, coulters in each of said other frames for operating said exfor cutting straight edges in advance of said pairs of plows, conveyors for removing dirt" displaced by pairs of plows 'rearw'ard of the v first pair of plows, said conveyors inclined outward from the longitudinal axis toward the side ofsaid main frame, vani engine in; said main frame, a shaft in said main frame,

a driving connection between said engine and

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