Provided is a microtrencher having a utility avoidance system that detects objects buried under the roadway, identifies whether the buried object is a utility and determines whether the buried utility is in the path of the cutting wheel. If the buried utility is in the path of the cutting wheel, an alert is sent to the operator, the vehicle is stopped, and/or the cutting wheel is raised in relation to the roadway. Also provided is a method of using the microtrencher to cut a microtrench in a roadway and to avoid cutting a buried utility in the path of the cutting wheel.

A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, the collection tank comprising a closed first end, an open second end defining a tank sealing flange and a body extending between the closed first end and the open second end. An internal chamber defined by the body, the closed first end and the open second end has a door coupled to the open second end and is configured to releasably seal the open second end. An automated door closer is coupled to a center of the door, wherein the automated door closer provides a closing force at the center of the door so that the closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of the door to seal the door against the tank sealing flange.

A silt filtering device includes a moving bottom plate. A first material conveying water pump, a stirring box, a filter box and a compression box are sequentially arranged on an upper portion of the moving bottom plate. A roller mechanism is arranged on each of four diagonal portions of a lower portion of the moving bottom plate. A controller, an infrared sensor and a high-definition camera assembly are arranged on the upper portion of the moving bottom plate. The first material conveying water pump conveys silt material to the stirring box through a convey pipe. A jitter mechanism assembly is arranged at a bottom portion of the stirring box to generate jittering. The jitter mechanism assembly comprises a plurality of identically shaking spring bodies and a driving cylinder arranged on the shaking spring bodies.

A method of cutting a microtrech 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 rotates and vibrates the drill bit. A roadway access hole drill having a down-the-hole jack-hammer drill bit and a motor to rotate the down-the-hole jack-hammer drill.

Systems for reducing or preventing pluggage of spoil material in an excavation vacuum apparatus are disclosed. The pluggage prevention system of the excavation vacuum apparatus may trigger one or more mitigation operations (e.g., addition of water through spray nozzles) to loosen the build-up of spoil material and/or to at least partially shut down the excavation vacuum apparatus to prevent more material being fed to the system.

A plug device for covering a cavity excavated in the ground. The plug device includes a head defined by a plate having a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface, wherein the plate has a size that corresponds to a size of the excavated cavity. The plug device also includes a plurality of anchor members extending axially away from the planar lower surface, and that are configured to secure the plug device to the cavity.

A protective sleeve configured to be circumferentially disposed around a portion of a dig wand on a hydrovac excavation system. The protective sleeve includes a body that is planar in manner and flexible. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the body includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. The first layer and third layer are manufactured from a synthetic rubber or polymer plastic. The second layer is intermediate the first layer and third layer and is manufactured from an impact absorbing material such as but not limited to silicone gel. A plurality of fasteners are integrally secured on the body and are arranged in a first set and a second set. The plurality of fasteners are mateable and are configured to surroundably secure the protective sleeve around a portion of a dig wand.

A microtrencher having a vacuum system configured to clean spoil from a microtrench having a rotating brush. A method of using the microtrencher to cut a microtrench in a roadway and using the vacuum system to clean spoil from the roadway and microtrench.

A hydrovac unit with a mud tank and water tank arranged symmetrically, so that the center of gravity does not substantially shift forwards or backwards during operation. The mud tank may be located inside the water tank. The mud tank may be supported and reinforced by external ribs, which may be fixed to the mud tank. The water tank may be formed by a rear face attached to the mud tank and a cylinder portion, the mud tank and rear face sliding into the cylinder portion for assembly and secured in place. The contents of the hydrovac unit may be dumped by tilting using a hoist. The tank assembly may be heated and insulated.

Methods of reinforcing a functional component, which may include a support pole or an well casing. The methods include excavating a treatment section around the perimeter of the functional component. The methods may further comprise compacting a fill material up to a fill elevation. The methods further comprise casting a mortar mixture, including with UHPC up to an upper elevation above the ground surface. A forming structure may be implemented comprising a length that corresponds to the intended length of the UHPC pour. Another embodiment of the methods comprises installing a sealant component substantially around the perimeter of the functional component. The sealant component is structured to reciprocally move with the functional component during expansion and contraction thereof.