An apparatus comprises an offset box housing, a rotating shaft, and an offset chain guide member. The offset box housing includes a top end, a bottom end, a first side, and a second side. The rotating shaft is disposed within the offset box housing, is proximate to the top end of the offset box housing, and includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the rotating shaft is proximate to the first side of the offset box housing. The second end is proximate to the second side of the offset box housing. The rotating shaft including a first sprocket coupled to the rotating shaft. The offset chain guide member guides a chain between the first sprocket and a second sprocket that is coupled to both the offset chain guide member and a trenching mechanism that is disposed offset with respect to a trencher.

An apparatus comprises an offset box housing, a rotating shaft, and an offset chain guide member. The offset box housing includes a top end, a bottom end, a first side, and a second side. The rotating shaft is disposed within the offset box housing, is proximate to the top end of the offset box housing, and includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the rotating shaft is proximate to the first side of the offset box housing. The second end is proximate to the second side of the offset box housing. The rotating shaft including a first sprocket coupled to the rotating shaft. The offset chain guide member guides a chain between the first sprocket and a second sprocket that is coupled to both the offset chain guide member and a trenching mechanism that is disposed offset with respect to a trencher.

A drive pod system for an excavator includes a first drive pod, a second drive pod, and a central gearbox. The first drive pod includes a first drive mechanism and a first drive pod frame, the first drive mechanism coupled to the first drive pod frame. The second drive pod includes a second drive mechanism and a second drive pod frame, the second drive mechanism coupled to the second drive pod frame. The central gearbox receives power produced by the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism and transfers the power to a ground manipulator apparatus of the excavator. The first and second drive pod frames are coupled to an excavator frame of the excavator.

A drive pod system for an excavator includes a first drive pod, a second drive pod, and a central gearbox. The first drive pod includes a first drive mechanism and a first drive pod frame, the first drive mechanism coupled to the first drive pod frame. The second drive pod includes a second drive mechanism and a second drive pod frame, the second drive mechanism coupled to the second drive pod frame. The central gearbox receives power produced by the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism and transfers the power to a ground manipulator apparatus of the excavator. The first and second drive pod frames are coupled to an excavator frame of the excavator.

A trencher includes a drive mechanism, a detachable digging box, and a digging support member. The detachable digging box receives power from an intermediate drive member transferring power from the drive mechanism to a trenching chain coupled to the detachable digging box. The drive mechanism and the detachable digging box are coupled to the intermediate drive member. The digging box support member includes a first end and a second end. The digging box support member is pivotably coupled to the detachable digging box at the first end of the digging box support member via a detachable coupler and pivotably coupled to a frame of the trencher at the second end of the digging box support member. The detachable digging box is detachable from the digging box support member via the detachable coupler without decoupling the intermediate drive member from the trencher.

A trencher includes a drive mechanism, a detachable digging box, and a digging support member. The detachable digging box receives power from an intermediate drive member transferring power from the drive mechanism to a trenching chain coupled to the detachable digging box. The drive mechanism and the detachable digging box are coupled to the intermediate drive member. The digging box support member includes a first end and a second end. The digging box support member is pivotably coupled to the detachable digging box at the first end of the digging box support member via a detachable coupler and pivotably coupled to a frame of the trencher at the second end of the digging box support member. The detachable digging box is detachable from the digging box support member via the detachable coupler without decoupling the intermediate drive member from the trencher.

Embodiments of an optical fiber cable configured for installation in a roadbed are provided. The optical fiber cable includes an optical fiber, a cable jacket surrounding the optical fiber, and an upjacket surrounding the cable jacket. The upjacket does not leach a chemical or chemicals into the roadbed that soften the roadbed. Also provided are embodiments of a method of producing an optical fiber cable configured for installation in a roadbed. Further, embodiments of a method of deploying an optical fiber cable into a roadbed are provided. The method involves the steps of forming a channel in the roadbed, inserting an optical fiber cable into the channel, and closing the channel so as to bury the optical fiber cable in the roadbed.

Embodiments of an optical fiber cable configured for installation in a roadbed are provided. The optical fiber cable includes an optical fiber, a cable jacket surrounding the optical fiber, and an upjacket surrounding the cable jacket. The upjacket does not leach a chemical or chemicals into the roadbed that soften the roadbed. Also provided are embodiments of a method of producing an optical fiber cable configured for installation in a roadbed. Further, embodiments of a method of deploying an optical fiber cable into a roadbed are provided. The method involves the steps of forming a channel in the roadbed, inserting an optical fiber cable into the channel, and closing the channel so as to bury the optical fiber cable in the roadbed.

A plow assembly for forming a trench within soil of a selected land area. The plow assembly has a blade element, a displacement element, and an attachment element that permits attachment of the plow assembly to a vehicle, such as a tractor. A first end of the displacement element is secured to a distal end of the blade element, and a second end of the displacement element is spaced from a rear edge of the blade element and connected to a pipe. As the plow assembly is advanced within soil, the cutting edge of the blade element cuts through the soil and the displacement element displaces the soil to form the trench and pulls the pipe into the trench as the trench is formed.

A plow assembly for forming a trench within soil of a selected land area. The plow assembly has a blade element, a displacement element, and an attachment element that permits attachment of the plow assembly to a vehicle, such as a tractor. A first end of the displacement element is secured to a distal end of the blade element, and a second end of the displacement element is spaced from a rear edge of the blade element and connected to a pipe. As the plow assembly is advanced within soil, the cutting edge of the blade element cuts through the soil and the displacement element displaces the soil to form the trench and pulls the pipe into the trench as the trench is formed.