A self cleaning collecting apparatus and method are provided for the collection of seafloor material. The collecting apparatus, which operates on a seafloor, has a plurality of rotating discs in front of a slurry suction pipe with clearing members located between adjacent discs. Any oversize material lodged in the discs during collection is dislodged by the one or more clearing members and prevented from entering the slurry suction pipe, thus preventing blockages caused by oversize material congesting the slurry suction pipe.

A compaction wheel assembly includes a shaft, a plurality of compaction wheels along the shaft, and at least one bushing assembly. The bushing assembly includes first and second split bushings axially spaced-apart to form a space the upper and lower bushing housings removably secured together with the first and second split bushings therebetween to clamp the first and second split bushings about the shaft and at least one first shim located between the bushing housings at a front side of the shaft and at least one second shim located between the bushing housings at a rear side of the shaft to space the upper and lower bushing housings and upper and lower halves of the first and second split bushings. At least one of the first and second shims includes a slot configured for feeding grease to the space between the first and second split bushings.

A system for removing material from a work tool of a work vehicle, the system comprising the work vehicle including the work tool, an operator control coupled with the work vehicle, a first movement actuators movably coupling a first end portion of the work tool, a second movement actuator movable coupling a second end portion of the work tool, with a cleaning sequence comprising the steps of actuating the first movement actuator causing the first end portion of the work tool to move in a first direction, actuating the second movement actuator causing the second end portion of the work tool to move in a second direction, actuating the first movement actuator causing the first end portion of the work tool to move in the second direction, and actuating the second movement actuator causing the second end portion of the work tool to move in the first direction.

The invention relates to a trench cutter for producing a cut trench in the soil with a cutter frame, at least one pair of cutting wheels which are supported and driven in a rotatable manner on a lower end of the cutter frame, wherein each cutting wheel has a plurality of cutting teeth along its external circumference, and a discharge means with at least one discharge pump for discharging a cutting fluid from the cut trench in the region of the cutting wheels. According to the invention a switchover means is provided which is designed for switching the discharge means over to a flushing operation, in which a fluid flow generated by at least one discharge pump of the discharge means is generated onto at least one cutting wheel for flushing out the cutting wheel.

The invention relates to a trench cutter for producing a cut trench in the soil with a cutter frame, at least one pair of cutting wheels which are supported and driven in a rotatable manner on a lower end of the cutter frame, wherein each cutting wheel has a plurality of cutting teeth along its external circumference, and a discharge means with at least one discharge pump for discharging a cutting fluid from the cut trench in the region of the cutting wheels. According to the invention a switchover means is provided which is designed for switching the discharge means over to a flushing operation, in which a fluid flow generated by at least one discharge pump of the discharge means is generated onto at least one cutting wheel for flushing out the cutting wheel.

Systems and apparatus for improved spoils collection and extended machine life for ground cutting machinery. In some embodiments, a housing for ground cutting machinery, such as a microtrencher, has a collection port formed therein. The bore of the collection port may be aligned with the direction that spoils are ejected from the ground cutting blade. The collection port may have a lower portion formed by the housing and a removable upper transition assembly formed as a tube and including an upper coupling for connection to the vacuum collection system. A replaceable sacrificial plate is disposed within the upper transition tube. The sacrificial plate bears the impact of spoils exiting the housing into the vacuum system. As wear occurs, the sacrificial plate may be removed and replaced.