Apparatus and method for placing and engaging elongate workpieces

The invention contemplates a working implement, for use with an excavating type machine, which semi-automatically brings a pipe section to a specified grade, slope, and line for emplacement in a line of pipe sections to be laid on the specified grade slope and line. The implement is rigidly mounted to the excavation machine whereby the position of the implement can be maintained within narrow tolerances while the pipe section is linearly inserted into a previously laid pipe section, and can be retained at the specified grade, slope, and line while fill material is emplaced and consolidated about and under the pipe, with sufficient density that the pipe can be released without the pipe moving outside normal tolerances of the specified grade, slope and line. In general, the invention contemplates the machine and implement automatically bringing the pipe section to such specified height or grade, thus bringing the pipe section into position and angular alignment with respect to the specified pipe line, automatically establishing and holding specified slope, and optionally cross-slope, of the pipe section. The pipe section is then linearly inserted into the previously laid pipe section by the operator manually activating the linear insertion actuator.

Abstract

The invention contemplates a working implement, for use with an excavating type machine, which semi-automatically brings a pipe section to a specified grade, slope, and line for emplacement in a line of pipe sections to be laid on the specified grade slope and line. The implement is rigidly mounted to the excavation machine whereby the position of the implement can be maintained within narrow tolerances while the pipe section is linearly inserted into a previously laid pipe section, and can be retained at the specified grade, slope, and line while fill material is emplaced and consolidated about and under the pipe, with sufficient density that the pipe can be released without the pipe moving outside normal tolerances of the specified grade, slope and line. In general, the invention contemplates the machine and implement automatically bringing the pipe section to such specified height or grade, thus bringing the pipe section into position and angular alignment with respect to the specified pipe line, automatically establishing and holding specified slope, and optionally cross-slope, of the pipe section. The pipe section is then linearly inserted into the previously laid pipe section by the operator manually activating the linear insertion actuator.

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