A trencher with a depth indicator enables determination in real time of the depth of a trench being dug. The trencher comprises: an arm about which digging implements are moveable; a foot operably connected to the arm and being in contact with the ground when the trencher is in use excavating a trench, the foot comprising a ground contacting region; an inclinometer or orientation sensor operably connected to the arm to measure or determine an angle of inclination of the arm; a calculating element operably connected to the arm for calculating a depth of an end of the arm by using a determined angle of inclination of the arm; and an indicating element operably connected to the arm for indicating either a depth of the arm or a depth of the trench being excavated, or indicating whether the depth of the arm or the depth of the trench being excavated has deviated from a desired depth.

A trencher with a depth indicator enables determination in real time of the depth of a trench being dug. The trencher comprises: an arm about which digging implements are moveable; a foot operably connected to the arm and being in contact with the ground when the trencher is in use excavating a trench, the foot comprising a ground contacting region; an inclinometer or orientation sensor operably connected to the arm to measure or determine an angle of inclination of the arm; a calculating element operably connected to the arm for calculating a depth of an end of the arm by using a determined angle of inclination of the arm; and an indicating element operably connected to the arm for indicating either a depth of the arm or a depth of the trench being excavated, or indicating whether the depth of the arm or the depth of the trench being excavated has deviated from a desired depth.

A hydraulic control system for use with a work machine. The work machine has a platform which supports an operator. When the operator is not on the platform, the platform moves into a first position, causing a signal generator to send a signal to a controller. The controller is configured to limit the hydraulic flow to the ground drive motor when the platform is in the first position. The controller may directly reduce operation of the engine, or may adjust a valve which diverts a portion of hydraulic flow. The limitation may be overridden when desired by the operator.

A work vehicle and a method of controlling propulsion of a work vehicle includes an auxiliary work tool. The method includes receiving a propulsion input for propelling the work vehicle at a propulsion speed, determining a prime mover speed for a prime mover configured to propel the work vehicle, propelling the work vehicle with a prime mover output based on the propulsion input, operating the auxiliary work tool while propelling the work vehicle, determining an auxiliary work tool load from operation of the auxiliary work tool, determining whether the auxiliary work tool load of the auxiliary work tool exceeds an auxiliary work tool load threshold, and reducing the propulsion speed of the work vehicle if the auxiliary work tool load of the auxiliary work tool exceeds the auxiliary work tool load threshold.

A hydraulic control system for use with a work machine. The work machine has a platform which supports an operator. When the operator is not on the platform, the platform moves into a first position, causing a signal generator to send a signal to a controller. The controller is configured to limit the hydraulic flow to the ground drive motor when the platform is in the first position. The controller may directly reduce operation of the engine, or may adjust a valve which diverts a portion of hydraulic flow. The limitation may be overridden when desired by the operator.

A universal cutter assembly comprising a transport device carrying a plurality of freewheeling cutting elements mounted to freely rotate about an axis, where the axis is canted about two angles with respect to the surface being cut and a line of action imparted by the transport device.

A universal cutter assembly comprising a transport device carrying a plurality of freewheeling cutting elements mounted to freely rotate about an axis, where the axis is canted about two angles with respect to the surface being cut and a line of action imparted by the transport device.

A tunneling apparatus for use in a pipe jacking method including an excavating apparatus, a head front-end track, a middle-section track, and a rear device. The excavating apparatus includes a transmission device and a chain blade. The transmission device includes a driving device and a sprocket. During construction, the chain blade for excavating rock and earth runs on the head front-end track and the middle-section track. The shape of a head excavation face is the same as that of the cross-section of a pipe section. The rear apparatus includes a jacking device mounted in a construction well. The front end of the middle-section track is connected to the head front-end track, and the tail end of the middle-section track is connected to the rear device. During construction, the driving device drives the chain blade, so that the chain blade runs along the tracks. Blades on the head front-end track excavate the ring-shaped rock and earth in a projection part of the cross-section of the pipe section.

A tunneling apparatus for use in a pipe jacking method including an excavating apparatus, a head front-end track, a middle-section track, and a rear device. The excavating apparatus includes a transmission device and a chain blade. The transmission device includes a driving device and a sprocket. During construction, the chain blade for excavating rock and earth runs on the head front-end track and the middle-section track. The shape of a head excavation face is the same as that of the cross-section of a pipe section. The rear apparatus includes a jacking device mounted in a construction well. The front end of the middle-section track is connected to the head front-end track, and the tail end of the middle-section track is connected to the rear device. During construction, the driving device drives the chain blade, so that the chain blade runs along the tracks. Blades on the head front-end track excavate the ring-shaped rock and earth in a projection part of the cross-section of the pipe section.

A vehicle having a long track or wheel-trail wheel combination on one side and a smaller ground engaging member, such as a short track or wheel on the other. The vehicle has a work attachment on one end of its frame, which is provided clearance on the side of the vehicle with the short track or wheel. A control system is provided to allow an operator to properly control a direction of the vehicle despite the fact that different forces may be required to operate the long track and the short track or wheel.