Trencher attachment

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.

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.   
   
   
       2 . 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. 
   
   
       3 . 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. 
   
   
       4 . 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. 
   
   
       5 . 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. 
   
   
       6 . 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. 
   
   
       7 . 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. 
   
   
       8 . The trencher of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second auxiliary digger chains include two or less teeth per plate. 
   
   
       9 . The trencher of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second auxiliary digger chains include dirt drags that overlap adjacent plates. 
   
   
       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.   
   
   
       11 . 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. 
   
   
       12 . 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. 
   
   
       13 . The trencher attachment of  claim 12 , further comprising a tensioning mechanism including a plurality of bolts and a hydraulic cylinder. 
   
   
       14 . 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. 
   
   
       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.   
   
   
       16 . 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. 
   
   
       17 . 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. 
   
   
       18 . 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. 
   
   
       19 . 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. 
   
   
       20 . 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.