# US 2009/0260264 A1 · Trencher attachment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260264 A1 - Document ID: US20090260264A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/426,864 - Filed: 2009-04-20 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-22 - Assignees: Vermeer Manufacturing Company - Inventors: Mark Cooper; Robert Daniel Hawks; Edward Lee Cutler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260264A1 ## CPC - E02F 3/10: with tools that only loosen the material {, i.e. with cutter-type chains} - E02D 17/13: Foundation slots {or slits}; Implements for making these slots {or slits} - E02F 3/085: {with auxiliary or additional digging elements other than digging elements on an endless chain} - E02F 3/088: {pivotable relative to the frame} - E02F 3/145: {drives} - E02F 5/06: with digging elements mounted on an endless chain {(E02F5/109 takes precedence; with digging elements mounted on an endless chain per se E02F3/08)} - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract The present disclosure provides a system and method of creating trenches of various widths, including widths that are substantially greater than the width of the boom head or even the chassis. According to the trencher system of the present disclosure, the boom is designed so that it can be easily configured to create a trench of a first width and subsequently create a trench of a second width that is different than the first width. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A trencher comprising: a chassis including a first side, second side, first end, and second end; a pair of spaced apart trencher tracks at each side of the chassis; a main boom positioned between the trencher tracks, the main boom including a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the boom is connected to the second end of the chassis; a main digger chain positioned to rotate over the main boom; a first auxiliary digger chain positioned adjacent a first side of the main digger chain; a second auxiliary digger chain positioned adjacent a second side of the main digger chain; wherein the first and second auxiliary digger chains are driven by the main digger chain. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The trencher of claim 1, wherein the second end of the main boom includes a drive shaft configured to receive torque from the main digger chain and transfer torque to the first and second auxiliary digger chains. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The trencher of claim 2, wherein the first and second auxiliary digger chains are configured and arranged so that cutting surfaces on the lower half of the digger chains are generally aligned with the cutting surface of the lower portion of the main digger chain. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The trencher of claim 3, wherein the first and second auxiliary digger chains are configured and arranged such that lower cutting surfaces on the upper portions of the digger chains are retracted relative to the adjacent cutting surface of the main digger chain. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The trencher of claim 1, further comprising a first auxiliary boom for supporting the first auxiliary digger chain, the first auxiliary boom being connected to the main boom via a side mounting plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The trencher of claim 1, wherein the main digger chain includes teeth arranged in two rows that are each angled with respect to an edge of the digger chain. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The trencher of claim 1, wherein the first and second auxiliary digger chains include teeth arranged in rows that are at an angle with respect to the edges of the auxiliary digger chains. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The trencher of claim 1, wherein the first and second auxiliary digger chains include two or less teeth per plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The trencher of claim 1, wherein the first and second auxiliary digger chains include dirt drags that overlap adjacent plates. ### Claim 10 A trencher attachment comprising: an auxiliary boom configured to be mounted to the mounting plate, the auxiliary boom configured to support an auxiliary digger chain; a drive axis configured to be attached to a main boom of a trencher, the drive axis including center gears for engaging a main digger chain and side gears for engaging an auxiliary digger chain; and a first mounting plate configured to be attached to interface between the main boom of a trencher and the auxiliary boom such that the auxiliary boom is aligned with the side gear for engaging the auxiliary digger chain. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The trencher attachment of claim 10, wherein the mounting plate is attached to the main boom and includes apertures for receiving bolts that extend from the auxiliary boom. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The trencher attachment of claim 10, further comprising an idler gear on an end of the auxiliary boom, wherein the idler gear is configured and arranged on the auxiliary boom to apply tension on an auxiliary digger chain. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The trencher attachment of claim 12, further comprising a tensioning mechanism including a plurality of bolts and a hydraulic cylinder. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The trencher attachment of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary boom is modular in that the length of the auxiliary boom can be adjusted by removing or adding support sections between the end portions of the auxiliary boom. ### Claim 15 A method of trenching comprising: connecting a drive shaft to a distal end of a main boom; connecting an auxiliary boom to a side of the main boom such that a portion of the drive shaft extends across a portion of the auxiliary boom; connecting a main digger chain to the main boom such that the main digger chain drives the drive shaft; and connecting an auxiliary digger chain to the auxiliary boom such that the drive shaft drives the auxiliary digger chain. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the proximal portions of the auxiliary boom include a pivot for engaging the auxiliary digger chain, and wherein the axis of the pivot is positioned closer to an upper cutting surface of the main digger chain than a lower cutting surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the upper cutting surface of the auxiliary boom is parallel to the upper cutting surface of the main digger chain. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the proximal end of the auxiliary boom has a curved profile that gradually guides the auxiliary digger chain away from the lower cutting surface of the main digger chain. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the radius of curvature is greater than the distance between an upper and a lower cutting surface of the main digger chain. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the teeth on the auxiliary digger chain are configured and arranged to direct cut debris into the path of the main digger chain.