Apparatus for excavating earthen material by evacuation of same

Abstract

An apparatus supported on a truck bed and including a high pressure water conduit for dislodging earthen material for evacuation by a suction conduit. The evacuated material and water pass through a cyclone separator with the removed air directed through a secondary separator. A blower intake induces low pressure in the separators. Solids and water removed by the first mentioned separator are subjected to screening whereat water is reclaimed and returned to a tank from which a high pressure water pump draws. An air lock receives the earthen material and water from the separator. A modified air lock is disclosed for use with highly abrasive material. The screen is positionable about a horizontal axis by a hydraulic cylinder to maintain desired inclination for maximum dewatering of the evacuated material. A water conduit and valve system permit periodic drawing of water from a secondary tank when the level of the reclaimed water in the recovery tank falls below a certain level. Switches are provided at the site of the ground hole being formed to permit a worker to control both the high pressure water flow and the suction applied by the evacuation tool. An air box is utilized to provide a vacuum source for the evacuation of earthen material in those instances where dislodgement of earthen material is by a suction force alone without high pressure water.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.