This invention relates to a winch and to a method of using the winch. The winch is ideally adapted for mounting to the boom of a vehicle such as a mini-excavator, and is likely to find its greatest utility in relation to the removal of underground pipes, electricity conduits, fibre optic cables and the like, as well as in the bursting of pipes. The invention provides a winch comprising a support column, a base, a magazine, a drive mechanism and a mounting structure. The drive mechanism is connected to the magazine and is adapted to rotate the magazine in use. The support column connects the magazine to the base. The mounting structure is adapted for mounting to the boom of a vehicle. The winch has a rotatable connection between the base and the mounting structure which is securable in a chosen rotational position, so that the base of the winch can be correctly aligned regardless of the orientation of the vehicle.

This invention relates to a winch and to a method of using the winch. The winch is ideally adapted for mounting to the boom of a vehicle such as a mini-excavator, and is likely to find its greatest utility in relation to the removal of underground pipes, electricity conduits, fibre optic cables and the like, as well as in the bursting of pipes. The invention provides a winch comprising a support column, a base, a magazine, a drive mechanism and a mounting structure. The drive mechanism is connected to the magazine and is adapted to rotate the magazine in use. The support column connects the magazine to the base. The mounting structure is adapted for mounting to the boom of a vehicle. The winch has a rotatable connection between the base and the mounting structure which is securable in a chosen rotational position, so that the base of the winch can be correctly aligned regardless of the orientation of the vehicle.

Embodiments disclosed herein enable assembly of a solar power cable harness to be completed in a more consistent and efficient manner than known methods of assembly.

A wire installation apparatus is provided. The wire installation apparatus includes a body through which a peg passes, a reel installed in the body to surround a wire, a wire guide member guiding the wire, and an external force transfer member transferring an external force, applied from the outside, to the peg so that the peg is driven into a ground. The wire is installed by the peg driven into the ground.

A wire installation apparatus is provided. The wire installation apparatus includes a body through which a peg passes, a reel installed in the body to surround a wire, a wire guide member guiding the wire, and an external force transfer member transferring an external force, applied from the outside, to the peg so that the peg is driven into a ground. The wire is installed by the peg driven into the ground.

A method of installing cable through material, for example, concrete, wood, masonry, plastic steel, or the like comprising a drill bit with a distal end having a hollow tip with an attachment mechanism for receiving the cable. The drill bit is drilled through the material, and left in place while the cable is attached to the proximal end of the drill bit. There is no need to remove the drill bit from the aperture or material to attach the cable thereto. After attachment to the drill bit, the cable is inserted through the aperture with the drill bit and removed from the drill bit after it passes through the material so it can be attached to a receiver device.

A method of installing cable through material, for example, concrete, wood, masonry, plastic steel, or the like comprising a drill bit with a distal end having a hollow tip with an attachment mechanism for receiving the cable. The drill bit is drilled through the material, and left in place while the cable is attached to the proximal end of the drill bit. There is no need to remove the drill bit from the aperture or material to attach the cable thereto. After attachment to the drill bit, the cable is inserted through the aperture with the drill bit and removed from the drill bit after it passes through the material so it can be attached to a receiver device.

A fish stick includes a light emitting component, such as a lighted tip, near the leading end of the fish stick. The lighted tip includes a curved lens that directs some light around an attachment piece at the end of the fish stick and generally in the forward direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fish stick. The fish stick may be made of a phosphorescent material and stored in a lit container with an LED and reflective surfaces. The fish stick may be made of multiple rods that are threadably engaged with each other and include a spring biasing element that increases the coefficient of friction between the threads of the rods. The fish stick may also be made of multiple rods that are threadably engaged with each other via collars.

A fish stick includes a light emitting component, such as a lighted tip, near the leading end of the fish stick. The lighted tip includes a curved lens that directs some light around an attachment piece at the end of the fish stick and generally in the forward direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fish stick. The fish stick may be made of a phosphorescent material and stored in a lit container with an LED and reflective surfaces. The fish stick may be made of multiple rods that are threadably engaged with each other and include a spring biasing element that increases the coefficient of friction between the threads of the rods. The fish stick may also be made of multiple rods that are threadably engaged with each other via collars.

Devices and methods are provided for replacing buried utility piping while eliminating the need to perform a complete trench excavation to expose and remove the buried utility piping.