An apparatus for automatically extruding and forming a finished concrete channel in a drainage ditch. The apparatus includes a frame having support rails for positioning the apparatus over a drainage ditch. A concrete-receiving hopper is attached to the frame for delivering received concrete into the ditch to be shaped into a channel form. A mold having a projection to define a concrete surface of the channel is positioned beneath a top portion of the frame and configured to be received in a hollow mating portion of a laterally-reciprocating piston to shape the received concrete. A lever driver drives the reciprocating piston through a mechanically-linked motor. A vibrator cooperates with the concrete-receiving hopper to urge received concrete into the ditch to be shaped by the mold.

An apparatus for automatically extruding and forming a finished concrete channel in a drainage ditch. The apparatus includes a frame having support rails for positioning the apparatus over a drainage ditch. A concrete-receiving hopper is attached to the frame for delivering received concrete into the ditch to be shaped into a channel form. A mold having a projection to define a concrete surface of the channel is positioned beneath a top portion of the frame and configured to be received in a hollow mating portion of a laterally-reciprocating piston to shape the received concrete. A lever driver drives the reciprocating piston through a mechanically-linked motor. A vibrator cooperates with the concrete-receiving hopper to urge received concrete into the ditch to be shaped by the mold.

Methods, apparatus, and systems providing enhanced feed rate control of tubing and conduit feeds by a powered feeder to an in-ground placement device moved across the ground by a steerable vehicle. In one aspect, ground speed of the vehicle is sensed. Feed motor speed is correlated to length of tubing or conduit estimated to be fed per feed wheel revolution by the feed motor. A controller adjusts feed motor speed to match ground speed to feed rate. In another aspect, instead of estimating feed rate by feed wheel rotation, actual speed of movement of the tubing or conduit is sensed. Feed motor speed is automatically and dynamically adjusted to match ground speed to tubing or conduit speed. In either embodiment, sensing of ground speed can be used to sense starting and stopping of the vehicle. This can be used to turn the feed motor on or off. In either embodiment, integration with a precision agriculture intelligent controller can allow operator control right from the precision ag display.

A water catchment and lawn edging system includes a cap, a channeled drain fixture, and at least one base clip. The base clip, which connects the system to the ground surface, is connected to a bottom end of the channeled drain fixture. Depending upon the length or the profile of the channeled drain fixture, the system can utilize a single base clip or a plurality of base clips to properly support the system. The cap is continuously connected along the channeled drain fixture from a top end of the channeled drain fixture. The cap may include a plurality of drain openings to provide additional drainage for the system. Collectively, the cap, the channeled drain fixture, and the base clip function as a water catchment and lawn edging system so that surface and ground water can be drained and filtered away from a collecting area and discharged into an outfall.

An agricultural implement that includes a slotting mechanism and a slotting actuator is provided. The slotting mechanism is for cutting slots in a drip line in real time in conjunction with ground placement of the drip line. The slotting actuator is for actuating the slotting mechanism. The actuating is controlled by a computer following a slot spacing in a drip line prescription for a field in which a drip line is being placed.

An agricultural implement that includes a slotting mechanism and a slotting actuator is provided. The slotting mechanism is for cutting slots in a drip line in real time in conjunction with ground placement of the drip line. The slotting actuator is for actuating the slotting mechanism. The actuating is controlled by a computer following a slot spacing in a drip line prescription for a field in which a drip line is being placed.

A device for installing horizontal drains in a coal combustion residual or other sludge pond consists of a trenching device that extends downwardly to the depth of required installation of the drains and an attachment through which the drains are fed during installation. The trenching device and attachment are mounted onto a carrier for floatation of the required equipment on the surface of a water-filled sludge pond. The carrier can be winched, hauled or driven across the surface of the sludge. A hydraulic system may be used to raise and lower the trenching device and attachment. The trenching device may be equipped with a chain driven blade mechanism or dredging device for the purpose of cutting a trench into the pond sludge, and a vibratory trenching device may be used to effectively liquefy the material to make the trenching device easier to pull or tow through the sludge in the pond.

A device for installing horizontal drains in a coal combustion residual or other sludge pond consists of a trenching device that extends downwardly to the depth of required installation of the drains and an attachment through which the drains are fed during installation. The trenching device and attachment are mounted onto a carrier for floatation of the required equipment on the surface of a water-filled sludge pond. The carrier can be winched, hauled or driven across the surface of the sludge. A hydraulic system may be used to raise and lower the trenching device and attachment. The trenching device may be equipped with a chain driven blade mechanism or dredging device for the purpose of cutting a trench into the pond sludge, and a vibratory trenching device may be used to effectively liquefy the material to make the trenching device easier to pull or tow through the sludge in the pond.

An apparatus for forming a water storage material from a biomass input material using supercritical or subcritical fluid processing, the water storage material capable of absorbing a liquid and releasing the liquid. The apparatus utilizes supercritical fluid processing, subcritical fluid processing, charring, or a combination thereof. The apparatus includes a controller configured to control the apparatus. The apparatus further including a processing station configured to hold the biomass input material, and to use the biomass input material for processing into the water storage material.

An apparatus for forming a water storage material from a biomass input material using supercritical or subcritical fluid processing, the water storage material capable of absorbing a liquid and releasing the liquid. The apparatus utilizes supercritical fluid processing, subcritical fluid processing, charring, or a combination thereof. The apparatus includes a controller configured to control the apparatus. The apparatus further including a processing station configured to hold the biomass input material, and to use the biomass input material for processing into the water storage material.