A system for measuring the depth and location of a buried pipeline includes a probe having a GPS receiver, an elevation sensor, and a removable tablet computer for capturing data corresponding to the position and elevation of an underground pipeline and the corresponding soil surface covering the pipeline. Collected data is aggregated at a central computer which produces topographical maps of the pipeline's current relationship to the soil and calculates a desired soil covering. The calculated amount and placement of soil to achieve a desired end topography is used in abatement of any soil erosion or compaction. In alternative embodiments the required soil for abatement is transmitted to earth moving equipment.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for laying a pipe in a trench, the apparatus comprising a placement assembly (2) for placing the pipe in the trench; a compactor mechanism (3) for compacting of the aggregate about the pipe.

A jetting system for an undersea trencher has jetting conduits extending aftward of its trench-cutting jetting swords. Jetting conduit nozzles direct liquid radially from their jetting conduits into the trench after the trench is excavated by the jetting sword cutting nozzles. The jetting conduits direct sufficient liquid into the trench to maintain the mix of trenched soil and water in the trench along the length of the conduits at not more than a super-critical density, extending the distance in which the product being laid in the trench is able to descend in the trench and increasing the likelihood that the product will be buried at the intended trench depth.

A mobile volumetric concrete mixing system includes a suction system that vacuums up trench spoils while a trench is being cut. These trench spoils are then screened on-site for particle size to be reused and mixed with water, cement, and/or other admixtures at an auger mixer to form a backfill mixture. This backfill mixture may then be loaded into a hopper that continuously agitates the mixture so that the mixture does not harden before pouring. The agitating hopper is coupled to a discharge chute of the auger mixer and includes one or more augers disposed at various orientations that the backfill mixture is channeled through. From the agitating hopper, the backfill mixture is channeled to an applicator that moves along the trench and that enables the mixture to be quickly poured into the trench with little clean-up required.

A grading ditch cleaning apparatus removably attached to a construction machine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least two frames removably attached to a distal end of the grader blade of the construction machine. The frame comprises a first end and a second end defining a predetermined length of the frame, wherein the first end of the frame is removably fastened to the grader blade. Further, the frame is configured to have a curved cross-section and obliquely attached to the distal end of the grader blade to clean the sloped ditch. The frame also comprises a plurality of holes to securely receive and fasten the first end of the frame to the grader blade.

A mobile digging and backfill system for removing and collecting material above a buried utility. The system comprises a mobile chassis, a collection tank mounted to the chassis, a water pump mounted to the chassis for delivering a pressurized liquid flow against the material for loosening the material at a location, a vacuum pump connected to the collection tank so that an air stream created by the vacuum pump draws the material and the fluid from the location into the collection tank, and at least one backfill reservoir mounted to the chassis for carrying backfill for placement at the location.

A jetting system for an undersea trencher has jetting conduits extending onward of its trench-cutting jetting swords. Jetting conduit nozzles direct liquid radially from their jetting conduits into the trench after the trench is excavated by the jetting sword cutting nozzles. The jetting conduits direct sufficient liquid into the trench to maintain the mix of trenched soil and water in the trench along the length of the conduits at not more than a super-critical density, extending the distance in which the product being laid in the trench is able to descend in the trench and increasing the likelihood that the product will be buried at the intended trench depth.

An applicator for a cement-based mixture includes an open container hopper having a first end disposed above a second end along a first direction. The open container hopper elongated along a second direction. The second end of the open container hopper is configured as an outlet for the cement-based mixture. A handle is coupled to one side of the open container hopper. A hose connector is coupled to another side of the open container hopper. The hose connector is configured to allow the cement-based mixture to flow into the open container hopper. A frame having a pair of wheels supports the open container hopper such that the second end is positionable above a trench for backfilling. A height adjustor is coupled between the frame and the open container hopper. The height adjustor is configured to selectively adjust a height of the second end along the first direction.

A mobile digging and backfill system for removing and collecting material above a buried utility. The system comprises a mobile chassis, a collection tank mounted to the chassis, a water pump mounted to the chassis for delivering a pressurized liquid flow against the material for loosening the material at a location, a vacuum pump connected to the collection tank so that an air stream created by the vacuum pump draws the material and the fluid from the location into the collection tank, and at least one backfill reservoir mounted to the chassis for carrying backfill for placement at the location.

A jetting system for an undersea trencher has jetting conduits extending aftward of its trench-cutting jetting swords. Jetting conduit nozzles direct liquid radially from their jetting conduits into the trench after the trench is excavated by the jetting sword cutting nozzles. The jetting conduits direct sufficient liquid into the trench to maintain the mix of trenched soil and water in the trench along the length of the conduits at not more than a super-critical density.