Patent ID: 7805864

Claim:
A walk-behind steerable trencher, comprising: a frame comprising a forward end, a rearward end, and opposing sides; a control area proximate the rearward end of the frame; two independently powered and spaced-apart, ground-engaging tracks positioned on the opposing sides of the frame, the tracks for propelling the trencher along a ground surface; an internal combustion engine attached to the frame and operable to power the tracks; a trenching boom comprising: an elongate boom guide; an attachment arm defining a transverse pivot joint for pivotally attaching a proximal end of the boom guide to the forward end of the frame, the transverse pivot joint defining a first transverse axis; an endless trenching chain movable along a perimeter of the boom guide; and a motor attached to the attachment arm, the motor configured for moving the chain along the perimeter of the boom guide, wherein the motor comprises a driven axle defining a second transverse axis that is parallel to, and offset from, the first transverse axis; and a hydraulic cylinder extending between the frame and the trenching boom, the cylinder selectively extendable and retractable such that it may pivot the trenching boom about the first transverse axis from an operating position, wherein a distal end of the boom is positioned below the ground surface, to a transport position, wherein the distal end of the boom is elevated forward of the forward end of the frame such that a lowermost portion of the chain is positioned above an inclined plane that extends upwardly, forwardly, and tangentially from a forwardmost portion of one or both tracks at an angle of 25 degrees or more from horizontal.