Patent ID: 7096609
Filing Date: 2006-08-29
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
1. A trencher unit for mounting to the attachment fitting of a loader of the type having arms for vertical motion and the attachment fitting pivotably mounted to the arms for pivoting movement and controls for moving the arms up and down and pivoting the attachment fitting to thereby control the vertical position and orientation of the attachment fitting, the trencher unit comprising: (a) an attachment assembly for mounting to the attachment fitting of the loader, (b) a digging chain support frame having a proximate end and a distal end and fixed at the proximate end thereof to the attachment assembly, (c) a chain drive sprocket rotatably mounted to the digging chain support frame toward the proximate end thereof, (d) an idler wheel rotatably mounted to the digging chain support frame at the distal end thereof, (e) an endless digging chain looping around the drive sprocket and the idler wheel for excavating soil to make a trench, (f) a chain drive motor mounted to the digging chain support frame for turning the drive sprocket and the digging chain, and, (g) an auger assembly adjustably mounted to the digging chain support frame between the drive sprocket and the idler wheel for adjustment between an upper position and a lower position, the upper position and the lower position corresponding to a range of trench depths, the auger assembly including at least one auger drive sprocket for engaging the digging chain and at least one auger coupled to the at least one auger drive sprocket for pushing soil away from the trench as the trench is excavated, whereby an operator may control the vertical position and orientation of the trencher unit and bring the digging chain of the trencher unit into penetrating and digging contact with an earthen surface such that a trench may be excavated as the loader moves over the earthen surface as the auger of the auger assembly having been adjusted to a position corresponding to a desired trench depth pushes excavated soil away from the trench.