A method of cutting a microtrench in which the buried utility is exposed by opening an access hole in a roadway above the buried utility using a roadway access hole drill that is controlled by a computer system connected to an under-roadway detection unit that detects a buried utility and stops movement of the drill to avoid damaging the buried utility. Also provided is a method of drilling a substantially horizontal hole under a roadway using a horizontal drill that is controlled by a computer system connected to an under-roadway detection unit that detects a buried utility and stops movement or changes direction of the drill to avoid damaging the buried utility.

A support and guiding apparatus for feeder lines includes a feeding tube for a digging device, a support branch, and a plurality of crosspieces adapted for guiding the feeding tube and connected to the support branch. The support branch includes a single flexible traction element and a plurality of spacer elements coupled to the single flexible traction element. The flexible traction element defines a longitudinal axis X when the flexible traction element is in an extended configuration. The flexible traction element has a cross section S having a width B greater than a height H. Each one of the spacer elements has a first seat housing the flexible traction element and which is crossed by the flexible traction element. The first seat is shaped to prevent rotation of the spacer element. Each one of the spacer elements is arranged to allow rotation of the support branch.

A roadway access hole drill for cutting a square or rectangular access hole in a roadway having a first saw opposing a second saw and a third saw opposing a fourth saw. A method of cutting a microtrench in which the buried utility is exposed by opening a square or rectangular access hole in a roadway above the buried utility using the roadway access hole drill that is controlled by a computer system connected to an under-roadway detection unit that detects a buried utility and stops movement of the drill to avoid damaging the buried utility.

A method for controlling an attachment provided to a boom of a vehicle, the method including: sensing a ground force on the attachment; determining if the ground force is outside a target deadband, wherein the target deadband is based on a height of the attachment over the ground, and, if the ground force is outside the target deadband, adjusting a cylinder pressure to bring the ground force within the deadband. A system for controlling an attachment on a boom, the system including: a control system; a hydraulic system for at least a first piston provided to the boom; and a first pressure sensor for sensing a pressure related to the attachment and communicating the sensed pressure to the control system, wherein the control system determines if the pressure is outside a target deadband, and, if so, adjusts a pressure at the piston to bring the sensed pressure within the deadband.

A method for controlling an attachment provided to a boom of a vehicle, the method including: sensing a ground force on the attachment; determining if the ground force is outside a target deadband, wherein the target deadband is based on a height of the attachment over the ground, and, if the ground force is outside the target deadband, adjusting a cylinder pressure to bring the ground force within the deadband. A system for controlling an attachment on a boom, the system including: a control system; a hydraulic system for at least a first piston provided to the boom; and a first pressure sensor for sensing a pressure related to the attachment and communicating the sensed pressure to the control system, wherein the control system determines if the pressure is outside a target deadband, and, if so, adjusts a pressure at the piston to bring the sensed pressure within the deadband.

Provided is a cutting wheel assembly comprising: a frame having two spaced support pillars, each having an intermediate portion at an angle to upper and lower portions; a pair of outer cutting wheels arranged either side of an inner cutting wheel all supported on the lower portions of the support pillars about a common axis of rotation; each cutting wheel having a central hub portion about which an annular cutting portion is provided having a respective cutting diameter; the inner cutting wheel having a different cutting diameter to that of the outer cutting wheels, and the central hub portions of neighboring cutting wheels defining a respective gap in which the intermediate portion of a respective pillar is received; at least one of the annular cutting portions of the inner and/or the outer cutting wheels having one or more rim portion(s) that overlap each gap so the annular cutting portions provide a cutting action along a continuous line of cut.

Provided is a cutting wheel assembly comprising: a frame having two spaced support pillars, each having an intermediate portion at an angle to upper and lower portions; a pair of outer cutting wheels arranged either side of an inner cutting wheel all supported on the lower portions of the support pillars about a common axis of rotation; each cutting wheel having a central hub portion about which an annular cutting portion is provided having a respective cutting diameter; the inner cutting wheel having a different cutting diameter to that of the outer cutting wheels, and the central hub portions of neighboring cutting wheels defining a respective gap in which the intermediate portion of a respective pillar is received; at least one of the annular cutting portions of the inner and/or the outer cutting wheels having one or more rim portion(s) that overlap each gap so the annular cutting portions provide a cutting action along a continuous line of cut.

An excavating assembly for milling and/or scarifying a road surface or ground has a support structure that delimits a compartment housing a cutter rotatable about a cutter axis and a cutter movement unit. A support element, separate from the support structure, rests on the road surface or ground during milling operations. The cutter has a cutter axle extension protruding from the support structure, extending the cutter axis. The support element has an eccentric plate seat rotatably housing an eccentric plate to allow the eccentric plate to rotate about a support element axis. The eccentric plate has a cutter axle extension seat freely and rotatably housing the cutter axle extension. The cutter axis, as extended by the cutter axle extension, is eccentric with respect to the support element axis, defining a predetermined eccentricity. An eccentric plate movement unit, connected to the eccentric plate, moves the eccentric plate about the support element axis.

An excavating assembly for milling and/or scarifying a road surface or ground has a support structure that delimits a compartment housing a cutter rotatable about a cutter axis and a cutter movement unit. A support element, separate from the support structure, rests on the road surface or ground during milling operations. The cutter has a cutter axle extension protruding from the support structure, extending the cutter axis. The support element has an eccentric plate seat rotatably housing an eccentric plate to allow the eccentric plate to rotate about a support element axis. The eccentric plate has a cutter axle extension seat freely and rotatably housing the cutter axle extension. The cutter axis, as extended by the cutter axle extension, is eccentric with respect to the support element axis, defining a predetermined eccentricity. An eccentric plate movement unit, connected to the eccentric plate, moves the eccentric plate about the support element axis.

The invention relates to an anchoring kit for a drilling machine provided with a frame, the anchoring kit including at least a first anchoring module having: a first part including an anchoring device for immobilizing the first part in the soil; a second part including a device for fixing to the frame; and a displacement device for moving the second part relative to the first part along a first direction.