Systems and methods for a vacuum excavator to prevent to formation of blockages know as spoil bridges are provided. The vacuum excavator includes a high vacuum blower that is coupled through a multi-stage airflow system that has a debris tank to which an excavation hose is coupled. A knuckle boom having two arm segments includes actuators to angularly position the arm segments, and hose roller assemblies that carry the excavation hose. The systems and methods control the angular position of the arm segments to control the flow curvature of the excavation hose from an excavation site to the debris tank in order to eliminate or reduce the occurrences of spoil bridges therein.

A liquid pumping vehicle has: a frame; a platform rotatably mounted on the frame; an articulated boom mounted on the platform; a liquid pump mounted on the boom; and, an engine mounted on the platform, so that a rotation axis of the platform is between the boom and the engine and so that a first turning moment created on a first moment arm relative to the rotation axis by weight of the engine and other components on an engine-side of the platform is balanced under operational conditions of the pumping vehicle by a second turning moment created on a second moment arm relative to the rotation axis by weight of the boom and other components on a boom-side of the platform. The vehicle is better balanced for greater stability when in use for pumping a liquid, e.g., liquid manure.

Vehicle control systems and modules are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a vehicle control module includes a first module connector configured to connect to a vehicle in place of a vehicle input device configured to control an operational part of the vehicle, a second module connector configured to connect to the vehicle input device, and an electronic controller configured to (i) receive an input command regarding the operational part of the vehicle from the vehicle input device connected via the second module connector, (ii) modify the input command, and (iii) transmit the modified input command to the vehicle via the first module connector to cause the vehicle to operate the operational part in accordance with the modified input command.

A system and method is provided for enhancing the working end of a hydrovac boom hose having a longitudinal axis and a perimeter disposed transversely to the axis, the working end configured to vacuum earthy material from a digsite along the axis. A plurality of high pressure nozzles are disposable in spaced relation along the perimeter of the working end, and configured to emit high pressure fluid towards the digsite to dislodge the earthy material. The nozzles are angularly actuatable to selectively emit the high pressure fluid along a range of angles relative to the longitudinal axis, and are rotationally actuatable to selectively emit the high pressure fluid from a range of locations along the perimeter of the working end. The angular and rotatable actuation is independent of movement of the working end and/or of movement of the hydrovac boom hose.

A method of exposing a buried utility under a roadway by cutting an access hole in the roadway, vacuuming away dirt surrounding the buried utility, and spraying at least one of pressurized water or compressed air into the dirt to loosen the dirt. A vacuum device having a vacuum nozzle, a compressed air nozzle, and a pressurized water nozzle.

The invention relates to a suction excavator having a vehicle chassis, a suction fan, and a dumpable material collection container. The material collection container has a collection chamber and is swivelable about a tilt axis that extends parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis, between a working position and an emptying position. Furthermore, a filter unit is provided which is situated in a filter chamber in the material collection container and through which suction flow passes. The filter unit is rotatably mounted on a rotational axis that extends parallel to the tilt axis of the material collection container, wherein in an unlocked state, swiveling of the filter unit about the rotational axis is enabled in order to swivel the filter unit out of the filter chamber, at least in sections.

A dredge head assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes: a shroud having a generally open bottom end and a top end; a screen structure covering the generally open bottom end of the shroud; a suction pipe with a first end connected to the top end of the shroud and a second end configured to be operatively connected with a pump which induces suction; a handle connected to and extending from the shroud and having at least one grasping portion; and one or more vacuum relief valve assemblies, each comprising a valve, at least one opening configured to be in communication with water, and an actuation mechanism positioned to be accessible to a diver. Dredging systems and methods of dredging are also disclosed.

A boom turret for a debris body. The boom turret includes an inlet defining an inlet axis and configured to couple to a hose. An outlet defining an outlet axis and configured to rotatably couple to the debris body. The inlet axis is substantially orthogonal to the outlet axis and a debris flow path is defined within the boom turret between the inlet and the outlet. A plate is disposed between the inlet and the outlet and has a surface at least partially defining the debris flow path through the boom turret. A nozzle is coupled to the plate and extends into the debris flow path. A pressure vessel is configured to hold a charge of pressurized fluid, and the pressure vessel is coupled in flow communication with the nozzle and selectively releases the charge of pressurized fluid through the nozzle to dislodge accumulated debris within the debris flow path.

A method and apparatus for digging and removing excavated material provides a mobile device, having a movable or self-propelled chassis, and an elongated, preferably articulated boom with a free end portion having an excavating implement (e.g., digging, excavating or jetting tool). The boom has at least three sections that are foldable to a storage position on the chassis wherein one boom section stacks upon or is aligned with another boom section. The vacuum line is supported upon the boom, extending along the boom and above the earth's surface, wherein the vacuum line extends between the free end portion of the boom and the chassis. The boom attaches to the chassis at a base. The excavated material is vacuumed with the vacuum line into a collection vessel or tank that can be a part of a wheeled vehicle. A separate vacuum truck can provide a vacuum to a selected collection tank.

An integrated tank has a debris-storage chamber, a water-storage chamber, and a muffler system. The muffler system is disposed proximate the water-storage chamber. The muffler system includes a bypass muffler and a discharge muffler.