Pipe layer attachment for an excavator

A method of retrofitting an excavator, wherein the excavator has an excavator boom pivotably attached to an excavator upper structure so that a distal end of the excavator boom is opposite the upper structure, an excavator boom cylinder used to rotate the excavator boom relative to the upper structure, an excavator arm mounted to the distal end of the excavator boom at an excavator arm attachment pin connection, an excavator bucket attached to the arm, and an excavator arm cylinder mounted to the excavator boom at an excavator arm cylinder attachment pin connection, the method comprising:

• receiving the excavator with the excavator bucket, arm, and arm cylinder removed;
• and
• attaching a pipe layer boom to the excavator boom at the excavator arm attachment pin connection and at the excavator arm cylinder attachment pin connection of the excavator boom so that:
• the pipe layer boom is mounted onto the excavator boom as a cantilever;
• an extension of the pipe layer boom extends beyond the distal end of the excavator boom;
• the pipe layer boom is fixed to the excavator boom, whereby the pipe layer is not pivotable with respect to the excavator boom and so that pivoting the excavator boom relative to the upper structure moves the pipe layer boom relative to the upper structure;
• and
• providing a winch configured to wind and unwind a cable having a hook attached thereto.