TROCKENBAGGER ZUM AUSHEBEN VON GRABLOECHERN

Excavator forming uniform rectangular openings in the ground suitable for use as grave openings. A wheel mounted open frame forms the support for a carriage movable along the frame. The carriage forms a guide and mounting for a vertically extending bucket frame, guiding digger buckets in an endless path about the frame and positively sumping the digger buckets downwardly into the ground and elevating the digger buckets with respect to the ground at the termination of an excavating operation. The carriage supports and guides the bucket frame for vertical movement at a slight angle relative to the ground, advancing the lower end of the bucket frame in the direction of travel of the carriage. A positive rack and pinion type of drive sumps the bucket frame into the ground and holds the frame in position, as advanced to form an elongated excavation. An independently driven positive rack and pinion type of drive feeds the carriage and bucket frame along the main frame. The machine has a versatile discharge conveyor system, placing the diggings in selected positions along the side of the excavation, and retractable when moving the machine from place to place.