Patent ID: 7757780
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
1. An excavation apparatus, comprising: a) a support structure mountable to a truck bed, the support structure defining a longitudinal direction extending front-to-back of the truck bed, and a lateral direction extending side-to-side of the truck bed; and b) a rotary spindle pivotably supported by the support structure at a first pivot joint defining a generally horizontal first pivot axis, the spindle extending lengthwise along a spindle axis and rotatable thereabout for driving a cutting head; the spindle pivotable about the horizontal first pivot axis between a stowed position wherein the spindle axis is generally horizontal, and a deployed position wherein the spindle axis is generally vertical; and wherein the support structure comprises a first adjustment device coupling the spindle to the support structure for adjusting the position of the spindle in the longitudinal direction when deployed, and a second adjustment device coupling the spindle to the support structure for adjusting the position of the spindle in the lateral direction when deployed; wherein the first adjustment device comprises a horizontal slide mountable to the truck bed; wherein the second adjustment device comprises a second pivot joint defining a second pivot axis generally parallel to the spindle axis and spaced apart orthogonally therefrom, the spindle pivotable relative to the truck bed about the second pivot axis; wherein the support structure comprises a carriage coupled to the slide; and wherein the second pivot axis is positioned longitudinally rearwardly of the carriage when the spindle is in the deployed position.