Patent ID: 6305879
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
A continuous ditch excavator, comprising:(a) a chassis having a forward portion and a rear portion;(b) first and second motive means carried by the chassis in laterally spaced-apart relation to each other for cooperatively driving the chassis along a ground surface, said first and second motive means defining a centrally-disposed excavation work area therebetween;(c) an excavating auger mounted on the chassis in the excavation work area forwardly of the rear portion of the chassis and rearwardly of the forward portion of the chassis for penetrating and excavating a ditch in the ground as the chassis is driven along the ground, said auger defining a pivot point about which the first and second motive means are adapted to rotate the chassis to control the direction of ditch excavation;(d) motor means for driving the first and second motive means and rotating the auger; and(e) control means for controlling the excavator;whereby rotating the chassis about the pivot point defined by the auger permits changes in the direction of ditch excavation in correlation with the change in direction of the chassis.