The disclosed systems for laying underground fiber optic cable may include a drive body, at least one rotational motor, a forward auger element rotatably coupled to the drive body and positioned to be rotated by the at least one rotational motor in a first rotational direction, and a rear auger element rotatably coupled to the drive body and positioned to be rotated by the at least one rotational motor in a second, opposite rotational direction. Various other systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.

A system and method for increasing friction between cables and surrounding soil is disclosed. In particular, a cable apparatus for use in a sub-surface protective network of intertwined cables is provided which comprises an elongate reinforced polymer cable body having a length. The cable apparatus also includes a plurality of elongate barbs provided along the length of the cable body. The barbs extend from the cable body to a respective free end in both a lengthwise direction and radially. Additionally, the barbs are spaced apart in one or more of the lengthwise direction along the length of the cable body and circumferentially about the cable body. Moreover, according to a further aspect, a plurality of such cables can be provided underground and intertwined to define a protective network cables for protecting buried assets.

A system for installing continuous elongated tubular material (e.g. fiber optic cable) in the ground is provided. The system utilizes an agricultural tractor, preferably having rubber tires or tracks, to draw a plow for creating a trench in the ground in which to install the tubular material. The system is equipped with one or more of a specialized plow mount, an infinitely variable speed transmission on the tractor, a power beyond valve on the tractor and global positioning systems on the tractor and plow to more effectively install the tubular material in the ground.

A system for installing and labeling lay flat irrigation pipe in flooded rice and furrow irrigated fields, and a trailer for laying a roll of pipe in an irrigated field. The trailer includes a flexible hitch assembly positioned at a first end of the trailer, wherein the hitch assembly couples the trailer to a vehicle. The trailer also includes a distribution assembly positioned at a second end of the trailer, wherein the distribution assembly includes a spindle and wherein the distribution assembly couples the roll of pipe to the trailer; and a gooseneck frame including a first end coupled to the hitch assembly and a second end coupled to the distribution assembly, with an upper member between the first end and the second end of the gooseneck, wherein the upper member of the gooseneck is elevated relative to the hitch assembly. The trailer may also include offset tandem wheels with a furrow assembly to facilitate the creation of a furrow ditch and for traversing flood irrigated levees for the purposes of installing lay-flat polyethylene pipe for irrigation. The trailer may also include an adjustable telescoping hitch to adjust to various vehicle hitch heights. The system includes a labeling system for indicating the punch size needed along the pipeline during installation. A computerized hole selection plan is developed and transferred to a microprocessor device, where sensors or a global positioning system is co-locate the device so the punch label can be applied along the pipe during installation.

Provided is a microtrench fill comprising cement, a polymer, and a colorant. Also provided is a method of using the microtrench fill to fill a microtrench in a roadway.

Provided is a microtrencher having a utility avoidance system that detects objects buried under the roadway, identifies whether the buried object is a utility and determines whether the buried utility is in the path of the cutting wheel. If the buried utility is in the path of the cutting wheel, an alert is sent to the operator, the vehicle is stopped, and/or the cutting wheel is raised in relation to the roadway. Also provided is a method of using the microtrencher to cut a microtrench in a roadway and to avoid cutting a buried utility in the path of the cutting wheel.

A method for adhering a tubular body onto a surface that includes smoothing a portion of the surface to create a smoothed segment of the surface and applying a tubular body directly onto the smoothed segment of the surface after the smoothing of the portion of the surface. The surface at the smoothed segment is smoother than the remainder of the surface. The method further includes applying an uncured protectant onto the tubular body while the tubular body is on the smoothed segment of the surface and curing the uncured protectant into a cured protectant while the uncured protectant is on the tubular body on the smoothed segment of the surface. The cured protectant protectively encases and adheres the tubular body to the surface.

Provided is a multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling container device having a first trailer or first truck bed, a first container constructed to contain spoil on the first trailer or first truck bed, at least one spoil transporting device constructed to transfer spoil from a micro trencher and deposit the spoil in the first container and constructed to transfer spoil from the first container to a fill device, and at least one reel holder constructed to hold a reel of cable and/or innerduct/microduct present on the first truck or first trailer, or present on a second trailer or second truck. Also provided is a method of using the multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling container device to lay cable and/or innerduct/microduct underground.

A method of using a fill mask to prevent overfill and/or spillage of a fill material from bonding to the roadway surface or staining the roadway surface during filling of a microtrench.

Methods and apparatus for cutting a trench (e.g., for a fiber optic cable or wire conductors) in an existing covering surface (e.g., a road surface). Debris from the cut trench is evacuated (e.g., vacuumed) from the trench as the trench is cut. The trench may be backfilled using a flowable composition. In one example, the flowable composition rigidifies after being flowed into the trench, and thereafter is substantially impermeable (e.g., having a hydraulic permeability of less than 0.0000001 cm/s upon drying), non-compressible and/or non-expanding.