Patent ID: 6571492
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
A continuous ditch excavator comprising:(a) a chassis having a forward portion and a rear portion; (b) first and second rotatably-mounted driving elements having treads thereon, said driving elements carried by the chassis in laterally spaced-apart relation to each other for driving and steering the chassis along a ground surface, said first and second driving elements defining a centrally-disposed excavation work area therebetween; (c) a rotatably-mounted excavating auger mounted on the chassis in the excavation work area forwardly of the rear portion of the chassis, rearwardly of the forward portion of the chassis and intermediate the first and second driving elements 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 driving elements are adapted to rotate the chassis to control the direction of ditch excavation; and (d) at least one lift adapted for raising and lowering the auger.