An excavation system that is configured to utilize water pressure and vacuum to provide removal of terrain from an area wherein the excavation system is further configured to provide detection and alert of subterranean objects in the excavation area. The excavation system includes a digging wand that is operably coupled to a water source. The digging wand includes a plurality of water jets that are configured to emit water. The digging wand further includes in the nozzle thereof a plurality of detection transceivers. The detection transceivers are configured to provide detection of subterranean objects proximate the nozzle of the digging wand during the excavation process. The controller of the present invention includes a screen that provides image data of the area proximate the nozzle. The controller further provides at least two operational modes wherein one of the operational modes provides reduction of water pressure upon detection of a subterranean object.

The hydro excavation remote dig system provides for a primary and secondary dig tube attachments that permit a vacuum truck to be used for a remote dig setup. Specifically, the attachments include various attachable handles, corrugated tubing that connects to a reinforcement bar device with releasable clamps to maintain the corrugated tubing in an elongated state during use, a debris box with an integrated safety valve, and a dig tip.

An excavator bucket has several embodiments adapted for use underwater. A first embodiment includes a front lip and a heel section, with suction ports through the heel section. Another embodiment includes a grated or skeleton bucket with apertures communicating with a suction hopper having suction ports. Yet another embodiment includes a drum grate rotating inside a fitted shroud offset from and conforming to a swept volume of the rotating grate, with the shroud having suction ports, and another embodiment includes a first hopper with rotating arbors forming a crushing screen, communicating with a second suction hopper having one or more suction ports.

An excavator bucket has several embodiments adapted for use underwater. A first embodiment includes a front lip and a heel section, with suction ports through the heel section. Another embodiment includes a grated or skeleton bucket with apertures communicating with a suction hopper having suction ports. Yet another embodiment includes a drum grate rotating inside a fitted shroud offset from and conforming to a swept volume of the rotating grate, with the shroud having suction ports, and another embodiment includes a first hopper with rotating arbors forming a crushing screen, communicating with a second suction hopper having one or more suction ports.

A method of dredging a bottom of a body of water is provided. Winching stations are positioned around the perimeter of an area to be dredged and a cable from each winching station is connected to a float. The cables pass through a variable resistance pulley assembly attached to a submersible assembly having a cutter and a submersible pump and are tensioned to suspend the submersible assembly. The cutter and submersible pump are activated and the winches are controlled to move the submersible assembly in a dredging pattern. When an obstacle is encountered the resistance of the pulley assembly is decreased and sufficient tension is applied to the cables to lift the submersible assembly toward the float.

A fitting for an excavating apparatus can include a cylindrical pipe that can include a first metal material. In an example, the fitting can be configured for coupling to a hose. The pipe can include an interior surface and an exterior surface. Optionally, a perimeter of the pipe does not exceed a diameter of a first end of the pipe. The fitting can include a cladding layer (e.g., a second metal material) that can be coupled to the first metal material within the interior surface of the pipe. The cladding layer can include an abrasion-resistant material. The cladding layer can be coupled to the pipe such as with a welding operation. The cladding layer can include one or more ridges. The cladding layer can corregate the interior surface of the fitting and exterior surfaces of the fitting which can come into contact with abrasive material.

A fitting for an excavating apparatus can include a cylindrical pipe that can include a first metal material. In an example, the fitting can be configured for coupling to a hose. The pipe can include an interior surface and an exterior surface. Optionally, a perimeter of the pipe does not exceed a diameter of a first end of the pipe. The fitting can include a cladding layer (e.g., a second metal material) that can be coupled to the first metal material within the interior surface of the pipe. The cladding layer can include an abrasion-resistant material. The cladding layer can be coupled to the pipe such as with a welding operation. The cladding layer can include one or more ridges. The cladding layer can corregate the interior surface of the fitting and exterior surfaces of the fitting which can come into contact with abrasive material.

An elbow fitting for an excavating apparatus can include a curved cylindrical pipe that can include a first metal material. In an example, the fitting can be configured for coupling to a hose. The pipe can include an interior surface and an exterior surface. Optionally, a perimeter of the pipe does not exceed a diameter of a first end of the pipe. The fitting can include a cladding layer (e.g., a second metal material) that can be coupled to the first metal material within the interior surface of the pipe. The cladding layer can include an abrasion-resistant material. The cladding layer can be coupled to the pipe such as with a welding operation. The cladding layer can include one or more ridges. The cladding layer can corregate the interior surface of the fitting and exterior surfaces of the fitting which can come into contact with abrasive material.

An elbow fitting for an excavating apparatus can include a curved cylindrical pipe that can include a first metal material. In an example, the fitting can be configured for coupling to a hose. The pipe can include an interior surface and an exterior surface. Optionally, a perimeter of the pipe does not exceed a diameter of a first end of the pipe. The fitting can include a cladding layer (e.g., a second metal material) that can be coupled to the first metal material within the interior surface of the pipe. The cladding layer can include an abrasion-resistant material. The cladding layer can be coupled to the pipe such as with a welding operation. The cladding layer can include one or more ridges. The cladding layer can corregate the interior surface of the fitting and exterior surfaces of the fitting which can come into contact with abrasive material.

A boom hose apparatus for a material collection vehicle includes a telescoping boom assembly and a hose assembly supported by the boom assembly. The boom assembly includes a plurality of telescoping conduits. A flexible hose is received through the telescoping conduits and can slidably extend from, or retract into, the conduits independently from the telescoping of the conduits.