WO2014147368A1

WO2014147368A1 - Auger cradle device, adjustable auger hitch device and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2014147368A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/050609
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alister Gordon Rayner
Original assignee: Auger Torque Europe Limited
Priority date: 2013-03-22
Filing date: 2014-03-03
Publication date: 2014-09-25
Also published as: CN104246080B; CN104246080A; GB2512294B; GB2512294A; GB201305320D0

Abstract

An auger cradle device (104) comprises a cradle element (116) for bearing against a ground auger (96) and/or a rotational drive unit (94), a cradle connector (118) for pivotably connecting the cradle element (116) to or adjacent to an auger mounting (10) of the auger hitch device (30), and releasable locking means (102) for locking the cradle element (116) to prevent pivotable movement relative to the auger mounting (92) and, when released, for enabling pivotable movement of the cradle element (116) relative to the auger mounting (92). The cradle element (116) can therefore selectively brace the auger (96) and/or rotational drive unit (94) to prevent or limit uncontrolled movement. There is also an adjustable auger hitch device (30), preferably for the cradle device (104), for releasably connecting a ground auger (96) and/or a rotational drive unit (94) to an auger mounting (10).

Description

Auger Cradle Device, Adjustable Auger Hitch Device And Methods

The present invention relates to an auger cradle device for a ground auger, an adjustable auger hitch device for releasably connecting such a ground auger and/or a rotational drive unit to an auger mounting, a vehicle having an articulatable arm with the hitch device supporting the auger cradle device, a method of preventing or limiting swinging of a ground auger mounted to an arm, to a method of mounting a ground auger to a rotational drive unit connected to an articulatable arm, and to a method of mounting and/or removing a rotational drive unit to or from an articulatable arm.

A hitch for an articulatable arm or boom, such as that of an excavator or other earth moving machine or vehicle, is known and enables coupling and decoupling of a ground auger directly or via its drive unit thereto. The hitch is basic in construction, simply utilising locking pins to engage the hitch to the arm, and further to engage the ground auger to the hitch. Coupling of the ground auger to the hitch itself is hazardous, since the ground auger must be balanced or braced in a vertical or semi-vertical position whilst engagement with the hitch takes place.

Once coupled, the ground auger is then able to freely swing when suspended from the articulatable arm via the hitch. Again, this is hazardous, especially during transport or movement of the coupled ground auger from one drilling location to another.

Furthermore, due to the ground auger being able to freely swing from the hitch, accurate and reliable positioning of the pilot bit is difficult without third party assistance. However, this then places the person manually guiding the pilot bit in a potentially dangerous situation.

A cradle device is known which aims to mitigate some of the aforementioned difficulties. However, the cradle device is one-piece and, once attached to the arm via the existing hitch, is fixed relative to the hitch. The auger or rotational drive unit is suspended from the cradle, rather than the hitch. Consequently, as the hitch is pivoted via a drive member at the end of the articulatable arm, the cradle inevitably pivots also. As such, the auger not only moves with any movement of the cradle, but the cradle when the auger is required to be freely suspended often obstructs positioning of the auger into tight or narrow spaces, such as up close to walls or trees.

Furthermore, with the known cradle device attached to the hitch, the auger or rotational drive unit must be suspended from the cradle. Consequently, the cradle device cannot be dispensed with without first removing the auger and/or rotational drive unit, then removing the cradle device, before then engaging a suitable auger or rotational drive unit hitch device to the existing hitch of the articulatable arm. As such, a cradle device and a hitch device are both required in order to provide an adequate range of devices for most work sites. However, when utilising the known auger or rotational drive unit hitch device, the safety benefits of the cradle device, especially during disengagement of the auger or rotational drive unit from the articulatable arm, are lost.

Additionally, a variety of auger or rotational drive unit hitch devices must be manufactured to fit different sizes of articulatable arms or other supports. This leads to higher manufacturing costs, since a range of complete hitch devices must be readily available to meet consumer demand. The present invention seeks to overcome these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an auger cradle device for selective pivotable releasable engagement with an auger hitch device from which a ground auger and/or a rotational drive unit is suspendable, the cradle device comprising a cradle element for bearing against at least part of the ground auger and/or a rotational drive unit, a cradle connector for pivotably connecting the cradle element to or adjacent to an auger mounting of the auger hitch device, and releasable locking means for locking the cradle element to prevent or limit pivotable movement relative to the auger mounting and, when released, for enabling pivotable movement of the cradle element relative to the auger mounting, whereby the cradle element can selectively brace the auger and/or rotational drive unit to prevent or limit uncontrolled movement.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 7, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable auger hitch device for releasably connecting a ground auger and/or a rotational drive unit to an auger mounting, the hitch device comprising a hitch body having a ground auger and/or rotational drive unit connector at or adjacent to a distal end, and two spaced apart mounting connectors at or adjacent to a proximal end, at least one of the mounting connectors being adjustable so that a distance between the two mounting connectors is selectable.

Preferable and/or optional features of the second aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 9 to 17, inclusive.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable auger hitch device for releasably connecting a ground auger and/or a rotational drive unit to an auger mounting, the hitch device comprising a hitch body having a ground auger and/or rotational drive unit connector at or adjacent to a distal end, and two spaced apart mounting connectors at or adjacent to a proximal end, the hitch body including two spaced apart hitch plates having the mounting connectors, a support body to which the hitch plates are connected, and a cradle mounting which opposes the hitch plates and which are connected to the support body, the hitch plates being selectively positionable on the support body in order to accommodate different widths of auger mounting.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable auger hitch device for releasably connecting a ground auger and/or a rotational drive unit to an auger mounting, the hitch device comprising a hitch body having a ground auger and/or rotational drive unit connector at or adjacent to a distal end, and two spaced apart mounting connectors at or adjacent to a proximal end, wherein the hitch body includes at least one cradle stop for preventing or limiting pivoting movement of an attached auger cradle device in at least one direction, when the hitch body is pivoted.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable auger hitch device in accordance with the second aspect of the invention having an auger cradle device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention mounted thereto, the cradle element of the auger cradle device being selectably engagable via the cradle connector with the hitch body of the adjustable auger hitch device, whereby the cradle element in a first condition is fixed relative to the hitch body via the locking means and in a second condition is pivotable relative to the hitch body when the locking means is released. According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular auger hitch and cradle assembly comprising an auger hitch device for releasably connecting a ground auger and/or a rotational drive unit to an auger mounting, and a releasably mountable cradle device for selectively bracing the auger and/or rotational drive unit to prevent or limit uncontrolled movement and which is releasably engagable with the auger hitch device.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided an articulatable arm having an adjustable auger hitch device in accordance with the second aspect of the invention releasably mounted at one end thereof, and an auger cradle device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention mounted to the adjustable auger hitch device, whereby, on pivoting of the adjustable auger hitch device by the articulatable arm, the cradle element bears against the auger and/or rotational drive unit to cause reorientation.

Preferably, the articulatable arm is hydraulic. In this case, the arm may form part of a hydraulic actuatable machine comprising one or more fluid lines running along the arm, to thereby provide a power take off at or adjacent to a distal end of the arm.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle having an articulatable arm in accordance with the seventh aspect of the invention, the vehicle being a hydraulic excavating machine. There is provided a method of preventing or limiting uncontrolled pivoting movement of a ground auger mounted to a support arm, the method comprising the step of bracing at least part of the ground auger and/or a rotational drive unit with an auger cradle device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Advantageously, a degree of bracing may be selectable. In this case, the cradle device is urged more forcibly against a housing of the rotational drive unit or a shaft of the ground auger to increase its angular displacement from the vertical. Due to gravity therefore, the drive unit or auger engages more securely with the cradle device, thereby enabling greater and more positive control. If less force is used against the drive unit or auger, then less angular displacement occurs and less control may be achievable. This latter option may be beneficial when locating the auger in an already partially formed hole, whereby some degree of pivoting movement of the auger would be useful for self- guiding purposes.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of mounting a ground auger to a rotational drive unit connected to an articulatable arm, the method comprising the steps of : a] moving a distal end of the articulatable arm towards an inturned position so that an auger cradle device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention bears against the rotational drive unit to reorient the rotational drive unit from a substantially vertical position to parallel or substantially parallel with the ground; b] lowering the distal end of the articulatable arm so that the reoriented rotational drive unit is at or adjacent to and substantially parallel with the ground; c] engaging a shaft of a ground auger supported by the ground with the rotational drive unit; and d] raising the articulatable arm and controlling movement of the rotational drive unit back to the vertical or substantially vertical via the auger cradle device. Preferably, in step c], a first ground auger already engaged with the rotational drive unit is initially removed from the rotational drive unit. This method thus enables for a significant improvement in safety for the operators having to couple and decouple the ground augers and/or a rotational drive unit.

According to an tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of mounting and/or removing a rotational drive unit to or from an articulatable arm, the method comprising the steps of : a] moving a distal end of the articulatable arm towards an inturned position, so that an auger cradle device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention extends parallel or substantially parallel with the ground; b] lowering the distal end of the articulatable arm, so that the reoriented auger cradle device is at or adjacent to the ground; and c] with the rotational drive unit parallel or substantially parallel with the ground and supported by the auger cradle device, engaging or disengaging the rotational drive unit.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an articulatable arm having one embodiment of an auger cradle device in accordance with the invention attached to a distal end of the arm via one embodiment of an adjustable auger hitch also in accordance with the invention, along with a rotational drive unit for a ground auger being engaged with the adjustable auger hitch;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side-el evational view of a portion of Figure 1, showing the distal end of the articulatable arm, adjustable auger hitch, auger cradle device and rotational drive unit;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from a front and right side of the adjustable auger hitch and auger cradle device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is another perspective view from the front and left side showing the adjustable auger hitch and auger cradle device;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the adjustable auger hitch in use and with the auger cradle device removed; Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5, showing the adjustable auger hitch in use and with the auger cradle device attached;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the auger cradle device and adjustable auger hitch being utilised to orient a ground auger and its rotational drive unit horizontally for a coupling or decoupling procedure; Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the distal end of the articulatable arm of the vehicle shown in Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic side view of the vehicle with the ground auger disengaged from the rotational drive unit following horizontal orientation via the adjustable auger hitch and auger cradle device. Referring to the drawings, there is shown an articulatable arm 10 forming part of a hydraulic excavating machine 12, such as a tractor 14 having a backhoe 16. Typically, the tractor 14 includes a chassis 18 having a pair of opposing caterpillar tracks 20 or wheels, an internal combustion engine for driving the tracks 20 or wheels, a driver- operator cab 22 mounted on the chassis 18, and the articulatable arm 10 or boom which extends from the chassis 18 and which is controllable from the cab 22.

Generally, the arm 10 is a multi-pivotable arm being drivable by respective hydraulic rams 24, and a hydraulic and/or electrical power take off operable from the cab 22, and typically supplied by the internal combustion engine and/or a hydraulic unit also on the chassis 18, is provided at or adjacent to a distal end of the articulatable arm 10.

The distal end of the articulatable arm 10 includes a hitch mounting 26 and a driving member 28 for controlling a modular adjustable auger hitch device 30. The hitch device 30 comprises a hitch body 32 having an auger and/or rotational drive unit connector 34 at or adjacent to its distal end 36, and two spaced apart mounting connectors 38, 40 at or adjacent to its proximal end 42.

In this embodiment, the hitch device 30 is a modular assembly, in that a user can specify a width of the distal end 44 of their articulatable arm 10 along with a dimension of the driving member 28, and the hitch body 32 can be simply and easily fabricated to meet this requirement. To this end, the hitch body 32 includes two parallel or substantially parallel spaced-apart hitch plates 46, a support body 48, and two parallel or substantially parallel spaced-apart cradle plates 50.

With a width of the distal end 44 of the articulatable arm 10 determined, the hitch plates 46 are engaged, for example, by welding, with the support body 48 of correct length. In this case, this procedure is simplified by the support body 48 being a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical hollow tube, and a lower edge of each hitch plate 46 including an arcuate recess for at least in part receiving a cylindrical exterior surface of the support body 48. The hitch plates 46 are preferably planar or substantially planar, and extend laterally relative to a cylindrical axis of the support body 48.

The two mounting connectors 38, 40 are provided adjacent to an upper edge of the hitch plates 46. A first said mounting connector 38 includes a first retaining pin 58 and a first pin aperture 60 through each hitch plate 46 adjacent to a back edge of the hitch body 32. The two first pin apertures 60 are preferably circular and axially aligned to slidably accept the first retaining pin 58 therethrough as a close or tolerance fit. In this way the hitch body 32 is releasably pivotably connectable to the distal end 44 of the articulatable arm 10. To control the pivoting of the hitch body 32, the second said mounting connector 40 is provided for engagement with the driving member 28 of the articulatable arm 10. To accommodate driving members with different dimensions, the second mounting connector 40 is adjustable, so that a distance between the first and second mounting connectors 38, 40 is selectable. As such, the second mounting connector 38 includes a second retaining pin 64, a second pin aperture 66 through each hitch plate 46 adjacent to a front edge of the hitch body 32 and spaced from the first pin aperture 60, and an offset bushing element 70.

The offset bushing element 70 preferably includes an elongate bushing plate 72 having a circular off-centre aperture 74 located along its longitudinal extent, and a pin- receivable bushing 76 at the off-centre aperture 74 for slidably receiving the second retaining pin 64 again as a close or tolerance fit.

To enable inversion of the offset bushing element 70 so as to reposition the pin- receivable bushing 76, the second pin aperture 66 is elongate, for example, being oval, instead of being circular. With the dimensions of the driving member 28 determined, the orientation of the offset bushing element 70 is selected, and the bushing plate 72 is engaged with the hitch plate 46 so that the through-opening of the pin-receivable bushing 76 aligns with the second pin aperture 66. With both pin-receivable bushings 76 axially aligned, the second retaining pin 64 can be slidably inserted with the driving member 28 entrained and interposed between the two hitch plates 46.

The first and second retaining pins 58, 64 may typically have a head at one end, and a locking pin aperture at the other whereby a locking pin or split pin can be removably inserted to prevent or limit unintentional extraction of the first and second retaining pins 58, 64 and thus release of the hitch body 32 from the articulatable arm 10. Although the offset or adjustable mounting connector 40 preferably utilises the aforementioned offset bushing element 70, the pin-receivable bushing 76 may be dispensed with in favour of an elongate pin-receiving plate having an off-centre pin opening, typically being circular, therealong. Alternatively, the adjustable mounting connector may utilise a headed second retaining pin, whereby heads at either end are flattened and offset relative to a shaft of the pin. The flattened heads are therefore shaped to match or substantially match the second pin apertures 66 of the hitch plates 46. Due to the flattened heads being offset relative to the shaft of the second retaining pin 64, the second retaining pin 64 can be inverted to reposition the shaft relative to the second pin apertures 66 of the hitch plates 46, thereby accommodating different driving members.

The adjustable mounting connector can also be envisaged in other forms. For example, the adjustable mounting connector may include a screw-threaded adjuster whereby an opening for receiving the second retaining pin 64 is screw-threadingly movable along the second pin aperture 66.

Furthermore, the bushing plate 72, although elongate in this embodiment, may be other shapes. For example, by making the bushing plate substantially square, the pin- receivable bushing or opening can be located adjacent to one corner, thereby providing more than two offset positions. Additionally or alternatively, the first mounting connector 38 may be adjustable in a similar manner to that of the second mounting connector 40 described above.

Similarly to the hitch plates 46, each cradle plate 50 includes a part-circular recess in its upper edge for receiving at least part of the exterior surface of the tubular support body 48. The cradle plates 50 therefore extend laterally across and are spaced apart along the cylindrical axis of the support body 48.

It may be beneficial to abut or substantially abut and engage each hitch plate 46 with its opposing cradle plate 50, since this enables the support body 48 to be fully encompassed around its circumference, and also further rigidifies the hitch body 32. First and second further mounting connectors 82, 84 are provided in spaced relationship adjacent to lower edges of the cradle plates 50. The first further mounting connector 82 includes axially aligned first pin-receivable openings 88 in the cradle plates 50 adjacent to a back edge thereof, and a releasable engagement pin 92 for engaging a rotational drive unit 94 and/or a ground auger 96 with the hitch body 32.

The second further mounting connector 84 also includes axially aligned second pin- receivable openings 98 in the cradle plates 50 adjacent to a front edge thereof, and a releasable cradle-locking pin 102 for locking an auger cradle device 104 relative to the hitch body 32. A cradle stop 106, which may also be considered a pusher for a cradle element, is also included on each cradle plate 50. The cradle stop 106 is preferably a plate or block which extends outwardly from an exterior outboard surface of the respective cradle plate 50. The cradle stop 106 in this case includes a part-circular recess at its upper edge for receiving at least part of the exterior surface of the tubular support body 48, and extends towards the first and second further mounting connectors 82, 84.

Although the cradle stop 106 is provided on each cradle plate 50, it may be provided on only one cradle plate 50. Furthermore, the cradle stop may be provided on the opposite inboard surface of the cradle plate 50, if the auger cradle device 104 is provided inboard of the cradle plates 50. The parts of the hitch body 32 described above are preferably formed of steel, which may be galvanised to improve weatherability, or other suitably rigid and resilient material.

Releasably connected to the hitch body 32 is the auger cradle device 104 which comprises a cradle element 116 for bearing against at least part of the ground auger 96 and/or the rotational drive unit 94, and a cradle connector 118 for engagement with the hitch body 32 of the adjustable auger hitch device 30.

The cradle element 116 is, in this embodiment, substantially C-shaped and includes a cradle body 120 having a head 122 at or adjacent to an upper end thereof and a tail 124 at or adjacent to a lower end thereof. The cradle connector 118 is provided at the head 122, and a bearing surface 126 for bearing against the rotational drive unit 94 and/or ground auger 96 is provided at the tail 124. The tail 124 may therefore be releasably engagable with the ground auger 96 and/or rotational drive unit 94, or indeed any other device mounted thereto. Engagement may take the form of releasable fasteners, such as bolts or other screw-threaded elements. This enables other devices other than an auger, such as a stump planer, screw anchor, cleanout disk and/or mixer, to be mounted to the hitch device and the attached cradle element thereby enabling bidirectional tilting and/or inversion/reversal.

The cradle connector 118 includes a first connector element 128 which cooperates with the first further mounting connector 82 of the hitch device 30. In this case, the first connector element 128 is a pair of axially aligned first pin openings for receiving the releasable engagement pin 92. The first pin openings are provided adjacent to distal ends in spaced-apart cradle arms 134 of the head 122 of the cradle element 116. The cradle arms 134 are sufficiently spaced, so that the cradle plates 50 of the hitch device 30 are receivable therebetween as a close fit.

A second connector element 136 which cooperates with the second further mounting connector 84 of the hitch device 30 is provided adjacent to proximal ends of the cradle arms 134 of the head 122, so as to be spaced from the first connector element 128. The second connector element 136 is also a pair of axially aligned second pin openings for receiving the releasable cradle-locking pin 102 of the second further mounting connector 84.

The tail 124 of the cradle element 116 may also include spaced-apart arms 142 having distal ends interconnected via an abutment plate 146 which thereby provides the aforementioned bearing surface 126. The abutment plate 146 may beneficially be arcuate along its longitudinal extent to receive and stabilise a housing 148 of the rotational drive unit 94 and/or a shaft 150 of the ground auger 96.

In this embodiment, the cradle device 104 is adapted to accommodate the rotational drive unit 94, as shown in the drawings. However, the cradle device 104 may extend down to the shaft 150 of the ground auger 96 engaged with the rotational drive unit 94, or may be stepped so that the cradle element 116 can bear against both the rotational drive unit 94 and the ground auger 96 simultaneously.

The hitch device 30 can be used without the auger cradle device 104 being attached, as shown in Figure 5. In this case, the rotational drive unit 94 and/or ground auger 96 is able to freely or uncontrollably swing from the releasable engagement pin 92 of the first further mounting connector 82, irrespective of the operation of the driving member 28 of the articulatable arm 10.

However, with the auger cradle device 104 attached to the hitch body 32 via the first and second further mounting connectors 82, 84, and with the cradle-locking pin 102 engaged, the cradle element 116 can be controlled by the driving member 28 of the articulatable arm 10 through the hitch device 30 to bear against or release the rotational drive unit 94 and/or ground auger 96. When the cradle element 116 is pivoted via the hitch device 30 to contact the rotational drive unit 94 and/or ground auger 96, the abutment plate 146 bears against the drive unit housing 148 and/or the auger shaft 150. The ground auger 96 can thus be accurately placed for drilling, or can be slightly inturned towards the tractor cab 22 when the articulatable arm 10 is raised during relocation. In these cases, the rotational drive unit 94 and/or ground auger 96 is prevented or limited from freely or uncontrollably swinging from the hitch device 30 by the cradle device 104.

With a pilot bit 152 of the ground auger 96 accurately positioned, the driving member 28 of the articulatable arm 10 can be operated to move the cradle element 116 out of engagement with the drive unit housing 148 and/or the auger shaft 150. Drilling can thus commence in a normal manner, as shown in Figure 6.

To decouple the ground auger 96 already attached to the distal end 36 of the articulatable arm 10 via the auger hitch device 30 and cradle device 104, as shown in Figures 7 to 9, the articulatable arm 10 is raised and the driving member 28 operated to pivot the hitch body 32 towards the tractor cab 22. With the cradle-locking pin 102 engaged and the head 122 abutting if necessary the cradle stops 106, the cradle element 116 bears against the drive unit housing 148 of the rotational drive unit 94, and as such the ground auger 96 can be reoriented to or substantially to a horizontal condition, or at least parallel or substantially parallel with the adjacent ground 154. The distal end 36 of the articulatable arm 10 can then be lowered whereby the cradle body 120 and the flight or flights 156 of the ground auger 96 rest on the ground 154. As shown in Figure 9, the auger shaft 150 can thus be easily and safely disengaged from the rotational drive unit 94, or decoupled from the hitch device 30 if a drive unit is incorporated therein, due to the ground 154 supporting a majority of the weight of the auger 96.

To engage a ground auger 96 with the rotational drive unit 94 or directly with the hitch device 30 utilising a suitable coupling, the above described procedure is simply repeated in reverse. A similar process is performed for engaging and disengaging the rotational drive unit 94 with or from the hitch device 30 on the articulatable arm 10.

Although the cradle element is described and shown as being oriented away from an operator in the tractor cab, it potentially could be reversed so as to be nearer the operator. In this case, the swinging of the ground auger would be controlled by angularly displacing the cradle device away from the operator, so that the auger was moved in an outboard direction away from the operator rather than in the above described embodiments where the auger is pivotable in an inboard direction towards the tractor cab. However, this optional arrangement may not be so beneficial for safety reasons, since more space would be required to accommodate the out-pivoting of the auger and also toppling of the tractor may result.

Although preferably a modular or selectable assembly, the hitch device for use with the cradle device could be a predetermined one-piece body having the or each adjustable mounting connector. Although a locking pin is suggested for locking the cradle element relative to the hitch body, any other suitable locking means may be utilised. For example, an over-centre toggle mechanism and/or a lever actuated latch can be considered.

Furthermore, although hitch plates and cradle plates are suggested, these may be one or more blocks, as necessity dictates. For example, the cradle plates may be replaced by a single block which is attached with the support body.

In some cases, the support body may be dispensed with, and as such the hitch plates or element and the cradle plates or element may be directly interengaged, or even formed as one-piece. In this case, the support body, if required, may take the form of a brace which spans between the plates or elements.

Alternatively, if a single block is used, for example as a cradle element and instead of the cradle plates, then the hitch plates may extend directly from the cradle block, for example. It s therefore possible to provide a modular adjustable hitch device and cradle device, whereby the cradle device can be dispensed with or included at a later time, if required. The adjustable hitch device accommodates the distal end of an articulatable arm, boom or other ground auger support or mounting of varying widths via the use of a support body interposed between the hitch plates and the cradle plates, thereby enabling selectable positioning of the hitch plates. Furthermore, it is possible to accommodate different drivable members or hitches, such as a quick hitch, at the distal end of the articulatable arm or other auger support by the use of one or more adjustable mounting connectors. By providing separate hitch plates and cradle plates, the hitch plates can be selectively positioned on the support body at the required location for a user, without affecting the positioning of the cradle plates, thereby increasing production speed and reducing a required available parts range. The selective positioning of the hitch plates also enables angular positioning around an axis of the support body, thereby preventing or limiting a possibility of the articulatable arm or other auger mounting being impeded during movement of the hitch body. Additionally, the cradle device cooperates with the hitch device to enable positive biasing of a suspended ground auger towards an operator. Free swinging of the ground auger can thus be controlled, enabling safer relocation of the ground auger and more accurate positioning of the pilot bit. The cradle device is furthermore slimline, thereby preventing or limiting fouling when drilling near to walls, posts, vegetation and other obstacles, as well as being remotely displaceable by pivoting of the hitch device away from the operator in the tractor cab. By releasing the cradle- locking pin with the hitch device pivoted away from the operator, the cradle element can freely pivot with the suspended ground auger. However, in a tight or narrow space, the unlocked cradle element causes no or limited fouling, since it hangs substantially vertically but without biasing the ground auger and/or rotational drive unit, and once a drilling procedure has been completed, the cradle stop, which may be considered a pusher, allows the unlocked cradle element to be remotely brought into biasing engagement with the ground auger and/or rotational drive unit, thereby allowing reorientation without first re-engaging the locking means. Still furthermore, it is also possible to more safely engage and disengage a ground auger and/or a rotational drive unit with the articulatable arm, due to the cradle device being able to control a horizontal positioning of the ground auger and/or rotational drive unit. It is also possible to releasably engage the tail of the cradle element with the ground auger and/or rotational drive unit, thereby allowing improved support. This also enables other devices, such as a mixing device, to be mounted to the hitch device with the tail of the cradle element being releasably engaged thereto to enable emptying of the mixing device.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and further modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An auger cradle device (104) for selective pivotable releasable engagement with an auger hitch device (30) from which a ground auger (96) and/or a rotational drive unit (94) is suspendable, the cradle device (104) comprising a cradle element (116) for bearing against at least part of the ground auger (96) and/or a rotational drive unit (94), a cradle connector (118) for pivotably connecting the cradle element (116) to or adjacent to an auger mounting (10) of the auger hitch device (30), and releasable locking means for locking the cradle element to prevent or limit pivotable movement relative to the auger mounting (10) and, when released, for enabling pivotable movement of the cradle element (116) relative to the auger mounting (10), whereby the cradle element (116) can selectively brace the auger (96) and/or rotational drive unit (94) to prevent or limit uncontrolled movement.

2. An auger cradle device (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cradle element (116) includes a head (122), a body (120) having the head (122) at or adjacent to a first end thereof, and a tail (124) at or adjacent to a second end of the body which is opposite the said first end, the head (122) including the cradle connector (118), and the tail (124) including a bearing surface (126) for contacting the ground auger (96) and/or rotational drive unit (94).

3. An auger cradle device (104) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tail (124) is releasably engagable with the ground auger (96) and/or rotational drive unit (94).

4. An auger cradle device (104) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cradle element (116) is or is substantially C-shaped.

5. An auger cradle device (104) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the in use cradle element (116) is pivotable relative to the auger (96) and/or rotational drive unit (94).

6. An auger cradle device (104) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cradle connector (118) includes two spaced apart connection elements, a first said connection element (126) providing a cradle pivot axis, and a second said connection element (136) providing the releasable locking means (102) for restricting free pivoting movement of the cradle element (116) about the cradle pivot axis.

7. An auger cradle device (104) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first connection element (128) further provides an auger pivot axis for an auger (96) and/or a rotational drive unit (94) when connected thereto.

8. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) for releasably connecting a ground auger (96) and/or a rotational drive unit (94) to an auger mounting (10), the hitch device (30) comprising a hitch body (32) having a ground auger and/or rotational drive unit connector (34) at or adjacent to a distal end (36), and two spaced apart mounting connectors (38, 40) at or adjacent to a proximal end (42), at least one of the mounting connectors being adjustable so that a distance between the two mounting connectors (38, 40) is selectable.

9. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the said adjustable mounting connector (40) includes an offset bushing (70) to enable repositioning of a mounting engagement point.

10. A adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the offset bushing (70) includes an elongate bushing plate (72) and a bushing (76) mounted off-centre on the bushing plate (72), reversal of the bushing plate (72) enabling relative repositioning of the bushing (76).

11. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the said adjustable mounting connector (40) includes a non-circular opening (66) in the hitch body (32) to accommodate the offset bushing (70).

12. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the non- circular opening (66) is an oval opening.

13. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the hitch body (32) further includes two spaced apart hitch plates (46) having the mounting connectors (38, 40), a support body (48) to which the hitch plates (46) are connected, and two spaced apart cradle plates (50) which oppose the hitch plates (46) and which are connected to the support body (48).

14. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the hitch plates (46) and/or the cradle plates (50) are selectively positionable on the support body (48) in order to accommodate different widths of auger mounting

(10) and cradle element (116).

15. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the mounting connectors (38, 40) each include an engagement pin (58, 64) which extends between the hitch plates (46) for connecting the adjustable auger hitch device (30) to an auger mounting (10).

16. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the cradle plates (50) include two spaced apart openings (88, 98) for engagement with a cradle connector (118) of an auger cradle device (104).

17. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the hitch body (32) includes at least one cradle stop (106) for preventing or limiting pivoting movement of an attached auger cradle device (104) in at least one direction.

18. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) for releasably connecting a ground auger (96) and/or a rotational drive unit (94) to an auger mounting (10), the hitch device (30) comprising a hitch body (32) having a ground auger and/or rotational drive unit connector (34) at or adjacent to a distal end (36), and two spaced apart mounting connectors (38, 40) at or adjacent to a proximal end (42), the hitch body (32) including two spaced apart hitch plates (46) having the mounting connectors (38, 40), a support body (48) to which the hitch plates (46) are connected, and a cradle mounting which opposes the hitch plates (46) and which are connected to the support body (48), the hitch plates (46) being selectively positionable on the support body (48) in order to accommodate different widths of auger mounting (10).

19. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the cradle mounting includes two spaced apart cradle plates (50) which are selectively positionable on the support body (48) in order to accommodate different widths of auger shaft (150) and/or rotational drive unit (94).

20. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) for releasably connecting a ground auger (96) and/or a rotational drive unit (4) to an auger mounting (10), the hitch device (30) comprising a hitch body (32) having a ground auger and/or rotational drive unit connector (34) at or adjacent to a distal end (36), and two spaced apart mounting connectors (38, 40) at or adjacent to a proximal end (42), wherein the hitch body (32) includes at least one cradle stop (106) for preventing or limiting pivoting movement of an attached auger cradle device (104) in at least one direction, when the hitch body (32) is pivoted.

21. An adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 20 having an auger cradle device (104) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 mounted thereto, the cradle element (116) of the auger cradle device (104) being selectably engagable via the cradle connector (118) with the hitch body (32) of the adjustable auger hitch device (30), whereby the cradle element (116) in a first condition is fixed relative to the hitch body (32) via the locking means (102) and in a second condition is pivotable relative to the hitch body (32) when the locking means (102) is released.

22. A modular auger hitch and cradle assembly comprising an auger hitch device (30) for releasably connecting a ground auger (96) and/or a rotational drive unit (94) to an auger mounting (10), and a releasably mountable cradle device for selectively bracing the auger (96) and/or rotational drive unit (94) to prevent or limit uncontrolled movement and which is releasably engagable with the auger hitch device (30).

23. An articulatable arm (10) having an adjustable auger hitch device (30) as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 20 releasably mounted at one end thereof, and an auger cradle device (104) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 mounted to the adjustable auger hitch device (30), whereby, on pivoting of the adjustable auger hitch device (30) by the articulatable arm (10), the cradle element (116) bears against the auger (96) and/or rotational drive unit (94) to cause reorientation.

24. An articulatable arm (10) as claimed in claim 27, which is hydraulic.

25. A vehicle having an articulatable arm (10) as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, the vehicle being a hydraulic excavating machine (12).

26. A method of mounting a ground auger (96) to a rotational drive unit (94) connected to an articulatable arm (10), the method comprising the steps of : a] moving a distal end of the articulatable arm (10) towards an inturned position so that an auger cradle device (104) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 bears against the rotational drive unit (94) to reorient the rotational drive unit (94) from a substantially vertical position to parallel or substantially parallel with the ground; b] lowering the distal end of the articulatable arm (10) so that the reoriented rotational drive unit (94) is at or adjacent to and substantially parallel with the ground; c] engaging a shaft (150) of a ground auger (96) supported by the ground with the rotational drive unit (94); and d] raising the articulatable arm

(10) and controlling movement of the rotational drive unit (94) back to the vertical or substantially vertical via the auger cradle device (104).

27. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein, in step c], a first ground auger (96) already engaged with the rotational drive unit (94) is initially removed from the rotational drive unit (94).

28. A method of mounting and/or removing a rotational drive unit (94) to or from an articulatable arm (10), the method comprising the steps of : a] moving a distal end of the articulatable arm (10) towards an inturned position, so that an auger cradle device (104) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 extends parallel or substantially parallel with the ground; b] lowering the distal end of the articulatable arm (10), so that the reoriented auger cradle device (104) is at or adjacent to the ground; and c] with the rotational drive unit (94) parallel or substantially parallel with the ground and supported by the auger cradle device (104), engaging or disengaging the rotational drive unit (94).