VIBRATORY PLOW UNIT

Abstract

A debris removal system for transporting debris includes a plow blade configured to frictionally engage with a ground surface and transport the debris when a pushing force is applied to the plow blade. The vibratory assembly for transporting debris includes at least one vibratory unit mounted to the plow blade. The at least one vibratory unit is operably coupled to a controller via an operative connection, wherein the at least one vibratory unit is configured to vibrate the plow blade.

Description

BACKGROUND

Plows are often used with pushing devices (e.g., tractors, automobiles, etc.) to move debris, such as earth, snow, ice, etc. Plows can be attached to plowing devices to apply a pushing force to the debris. Furthermore, plows can apply a downward force (in the direction of the force of gravity) to cut into debris located on a ground surface, but the downward force is often limited by the mass of the plow. Further yet, certain kinds of debris can adhere to the plow after the plow applies a pushing force to the debris, which makes it difficult to clean the plow and may lower the efficiency of the plow as the amount of debris that adheres to the plow or other debris increases over time.

SUMMARY

In general terms, the present disclosure relates to utilizing a debris removal system including a plow and at least one vibratory unit coupled to the plow to move or remove packed debris. In one possible configuration, a user operates the vibratory unit using a control system that is electrically or hydraulically coupled to the vibratory unit. Various aspects are described in this disclosure, which include, but are not limited to, the following aspects.

One aspect relates to a debris removal system for transporting debris including a plow blade configured to frictionally engage with a ground surface and transport the debris when a pushing force is applied to the plow blade. The debris removal system for transporting debris includes at least one vibratory unit mounted to the plow blade. The at least one vibratory unit is operably coupled to a controller via an operative connection, wherein the at least one vibratory unit is configured to vibrate the plow blade.

Another aspect relates to a method for transporting debris using a debris removal system. The method includes providing the debris removal system. The debris removal system includes a plow blade configured to frictionally engage with a ground surface and transport debris when a pushing force is applied to the plow blade, wherein the plow blade is coupled to a connector. The debris removal system further includes the connector configured to couple to a plowing implement, wherein the plowing implement is configured to apply the pushing force to the connector and the plow blade. The vibratory assembly further includes at least one vibratory unit mounted to the plow blade, the at least one vibratory unit being operably coupled to a controller via an operative connection, wherein the at least one vibratory unit is configured to vibrate the plow blade. The method further includes frictionally engaging the plow blade with the ground surface, activating the at least one vibratory unit to break apart the debris, and transporting the debris by applying the pushing force to the debris.

Yet another aspect relates to a vibratory snowplow assembly for transporting snow or ice, including a snowplow blade configured to frictionally engage with a ground surface and transport the snow or ice when a pushing force is applied to the plow blade; and at least one vibratory unit mounted to the snowplow blade, the at least one vibratory unit being operably coupled to a controller via an operative connection, wherein the at least one vibratory unit is configured to vibrate the snowplow blade to break apart the snow or ice.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the examples disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of examples of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Examples of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a debris removal system including a plowing implement, a plow, a connector between the plowing unit and the plow, a vibratory unit, and a controller.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a plow blade and the vibratory unit of the debris removal system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the example vibratory unit of FIGS. 1-2, wherein the vibratory unit includes electrical components.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the example vibratory unit of FIGS. 1-3, wherein the vibratory unit includes an electrical lead and a vibratory unit mounting plate.

FIG. 5 illustrates top view of the example vibratory unit of FIGS. 1-2, wherein the vibratory unit is configured to be connected to a hydraulic fluid line.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the plow blade of FIG. 2, including a plow blade mounting plate.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for removing debris.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features can have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type can be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a debris removal system 100 including a plowing implement 102, a plow blade 104, a connector 108 between the plowing implement 102 and the plow blade 104, a vibratory unit 106, and a controller 110.

The debris removal system 100 is used in a variety of environments to transport debris 112 from one location to another. The term “debris” is used herein as a generic term for a material on a ground surface 114. For simplicity, the present disclosure refers to particular examples of debris 112 including soil, snow, ice, or rock. However, the debris removal system 100 can be used in the same manner for transporting any debris 112 across a ground surface 114. In typical examples, the debris removal system 100 can be used to clear debris 112 from a desired surface, such as a path, sidewalk, roadway, driveway, parking lot, field, or the like.

The plowing implement 102 is connected to the plow blade 104 via a connector 108. In certain examples, the plowing implement 102 is a manual device that is pushed by a user (e.g., a wheel plow). In certain examples, the plowing implement 102 is a motorized device (e.g., a snowplow or an automobile). In FIG. 1, and by non-limiting example, the plowing implement 102 is a truck that applies a pushing force to the plowing implement 102 via the connector 108.

The connector 108 connects the plowing implement 102 to the plow blade 104. In certain examples, the plow blade 104 is mounted to the connector 108 via a mounting frame and an A-frame, where the plow blade 104 is attached to the mounting frame, which is then connected to the plowing implement 102 via the A-frame. In certain examples, the connector 108 includes a quick-attach system to connect to the plow blade 104.

In certain examples, the connector 108 includes a proximal end for attaching to a plowing implement 102 and a distal end including a hitch receiver mount that attaches to the plow blade 104, wherein the plow blade 104 includes a frame or bracket that slides into a hitch receiver of the hitch receiver mount and is secured by a pin or bolt. In certain examples, the plow blade 104 is mounted to the front of the plowing implement 102 using a front-mount system, wherein the plow blade 104 is attached to a frame of the plowing implement 102 using brackets or other mounting devices. In certain examples, the connector 108 includes the hitch receiver mount, a front-mount system, a subframe mount, or a skid-steer attachment. The connector 108 is illustrated and described in further detail with respect to FIGS. 2 and 6.

The plow blade 104 frictionally engages a ground surface 114 to contact debris 112 as the plowing implement 102 exerts a pushing force on the plow blade 104. In certain examples, the plow blade 104 includes a metallic material such as carbon steel or steel alloy. In certain examples, the plow blade 104 includes a non-metallic material such as plastic, rubber, or a composite material. The plow blade 104 is illustrated and described in further detail with respect to FIGS. 2-6.

The vibratory unit 106 is coupled to the plow blade 104 and is configured to vibrate the plow blade 104 to create a vibrational force against the ground surface 114 and/or the debris 112. In certain examples, the debris 112 is compacted. Plow blades 104 can apply a downward force (in the direction of the force of gravity) to cut into debris located on the ground surface 104; however, the downward force is often limited by the mass of the plow. It is desirable to use the vibratory unit 106 to introduce vibrations into a layer of debris above the ground layer 114 to cut into the layer of debris and frictionally engage the ground layer 114 with the pow blade 104. Furthermore, it is desirable to vibrate the plow blade 104 using the vibratory unit 106 to break off segments of debris 112 that adhere to the plow blade 104 during operation, as this may interfere with the operation of the plow blade 104 and hinder a user's ability to clean the plow blade 104 after use. In certain examples, one or more vibratory units 106 can be coupled to the plow blade 104 to provide a vibrational force to the plow blade 104. Further yet, compacted debris 112 is more challenging to transport because large sections of debris 112 may be difficult to transport. It is desirable to break apart these large sections of debris 112 to reduce the pushing force required by the plowing implement 102 to transport smaller segments of the debris 112.

In certain examples, the compacted debris 112 includes snow and/or ice. In certain examples, the plow blade 104 includes a snowplow blade that is configured to frictionally engage with a ground surface 114 and transport the snow or ice when a pushing force is applied to the snowplow blade. In certain examples, the vibratory unit 106 can be mounted to the snowplow blade to provide a vibrational force to vibrate the snowplow blade and break apart the snow or ice. The vibratory unit 106 is illustrated and described in further detail with respect to FIGS. 2-7.

In certain examples, a controller 110 can be used to operate at least one vibratory unit 106. The controller 110 is configured to control a power supply that is provided to the at least one vibratory unit 106 via an operative connection. The operative connection can be an electrical connection that provides an electrical current to the at least one vibratory unit 106. In certain examples, the controller 110 includes a switch, which is illustrated and described in further detail with respect to FIG. 3. In other examples, the operative connection is a hydraulic connection that provides a hydraulic force to the at least one vibratory unit 106. The electrical connection is illustrated and described in further detail with respect to FIGS. 2-4. The hydraulic connection is illustrated and described in further detail with respect to FIG. 5.

In certain examples, the controller 110 includes a switch that is operable to control the power supply that is provided to the at least one vibratory unit 106 via the operational connection. The controller 110 can include a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface allows a user to adjust the power supply to the at least one vibratory unit 106 via the operative connection. As shown in FIG. 1, and by non-limiting example, the controller 110 is located within the plowing implement 102 to be accessible to a user while the user is operating the plowing implement 102. In certain examples, the controller 110 is located remote from the plowing implement 102 and is accessible via a network computing device. The controller 110 is illustrated and described in further detail with respect to FIGS. 3 and 5.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the plow blade 104 and vibratory unit 106 of FIG. 1. The plow blade 104 includes a cutting edge 608, power lines 204, a spring assembly 210 and the at least one vibratory unit 106. In certain examples, the plow blade 104 includes a snowplow shoe 208, which is shown in FIG. 2.

The cutting edge 608 (not shown in FIG. 2, see FIG. 6) is configured to frictionally engage with the ground surface 114 and cut into any debris 112 located along the ground surface 114. In certain examples, the cutting edge 608 is angled between 15-45 degrees relative to the ground surface 114. In certain examples, connector 108 is configured to adjust the angle of the cutting edge 608.

The spring assembly 210 is used to adjust the angle of the height of the plow blade 104 relative to the ground surface 114, wherein the plow blade 104 is mounted to the connector 108 at a hinge that allows for vertical movement relative to the ground surface 114. The spring assembly 210 includes adjustable springs that, when mounted to the plow blade 104, allow the force exerted on the cutting edge 608 to be adjusted by adjusting the tension of the spring assembly 210.

Furthermore, the spring assembly 210 can be adjusted to create apply a desirable force on the ground surface 114 to cut into debris 112 along the ground surface 114 without incurring unnecessary wear on the cutting edge 608. The spring assembly 210 can allow for impacts from the plow blade 104 contacting debris 112 or other imperfections from uneven surfaces along the ground surface 114 to be absorbed, thereby reducing the impact on the plow blade 104, the connector 108, and the plowing implement 102.

In certain examples, and as shown in FIG. 2 by non-limiting example, the plow blade 104 includes a snowplow shoe 208 (a.k.a. skid shoe) that is configured to couple to the bottom of a snowplow blade to further aid in adjusting the height of the snowplow blade relative to a ground surface 114 while also controlling the cutting edge's 202 contact with the ground surface 114. In certain examples, the snowplow shoe 208 includes a metallic material, such as steel, or a non-metallic material, such as polyurethane.

The plow blade 104 includes at least one vibratory unit 106. In certain examples, and as shown FIG. 2 by non-limiting example, the at least one vibratory unit 106 is mounted to the plow blade 104 at a plurality of locations. Furthermore, in certain examples, the at least one vibratory unit 106 includes a plurality of vibratory units 106 positioned evenly across a length of the plow blade 104 to provide an evenly-distributed vibrational force across the length of the plow blade 104.

The at least one vibratory unit 106 is connected to at least one power line 204 to receive power from a power source. In certain examples, the power line 204 is an electric wire configured to provide electric power to the at least one vibratory unit 106 from an electrical connection. The electrical connection is illustrated and described in further detail with respect to FIGS. 3-4. In certain examples, the power line 204 is a hydraulic fluid line configured to provide hydraulic power to the at least one vibratory unit 106 via a hydraulic connection. The hydraulic connection is illustrated and described in further detail with respect to FIG. 5.

The at least one vibratory unit 106 operates by receiving power (e.g., electric or hydraulic power) from the at least one power line 204 and converting the power to mechanical vibrations. The at least one vibratory unit 106 receives power upon activation by a user who controls the controller 110 (shown in FIG. 3 as a switch). Once activated, the mechanical vibrations are distributed across the plow blade 104 to break apart debris 112 along the ground surface 114, remove debris 112 that is adhered to the plow blade 104, or vibrate and break apart debris 112 that is pushed by the plow blade 104 and the plowing implement 102. In certain examples, intensity and duration of the vibrations produced by the vibratory unit 106 can be adjusted to better suit the type of debris 112 that is being transported.

In FIG. 2, the connector 108 is shown connected to the plow blade 104. As shown in this Figure, and by non-limiting example, the connector 108 includes a mounting frame and an A-frame, where the plow blade 104 is attached to a mounting frame, which is then connected to the plowing implement 102 via the A-frame as described in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an example vibratory unit 106 of FIGS. 1-2, wherein the vibratory unit 106 includes an electrical connection. The electrical connection includes the vibratory unit 106, a plug 302, a socket 304, a ground 306, an electrical power source 310, a controller connector 314, and the controller 110. Furthermore, in certain examples, the electrical connection includes a fuse 308 and a fusible link 312.

The vibratory unit 106 operates as a resistor within an electric circuit shown in FIG. 2. The vibratory unit 106 is electrically connected to the electric circuit via the plug 302 and the socket 304. The plug 302 is a male connector including conductive pins that facilitate the flow of electricity to the socket 304, which is a female connector including corresponding slots or holes to receive the conductive pins and facilitate an electric connection across the plug 302 and the socket 304.

The ground 306 grounds the circuit by serving as a point to discharge electric current. The ground 306 also serves as a reference point for measuring a voltage potential within the electrical circuit. In certain examples, the ground 306 includes the ground surface 114, the frame of the plowing implement 102, or a suitable surface for dissipating the flow of electrical current as recognizable by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The electrical power source 310 is configured to provide electrical power to the electrical circuit. In certain examples, the electrical power source 310 is an external power source. In certain examples, the electrical power source 310 is an electrical power source provided by the plowing implement 102, such as a battery.

The controller connector 314 is configured to electrically couple the electrical power source 310 to the controller 110. As previously described in FIG. 1, the controller 110 is configured to control the supply of electrical power to the vibratory unit 106 within the electrical circuit.

In certain examples, the electrical circuit includes a fuse 308 and a fusible link 312. The fuse 308 provides overcurrent protection to the electrical current by limiting the flow of electric current when the electrical current flowing through the fuse 308 exceeds an upper limit. When the current exceeds the upper limit, the fuse 308 interrupts the flow of electricity to protect other electrical components within the circuit. The fusible link 312 connects the fuse 308 to the electrical circuit and also serves to provide overcurrent protection to other electrical components within the electrical circuit.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an example vibratory unit 106 of FIGS. 1-3, wherein the vibratory unit 106 includes an electrical lead 402 and a vibratory unit mounting plate 404 with fastener locations 406. The electrical lead 402 electrically connects the vibratory unit 106 to the electrical connection as illustrated and described in FIG. 3. In certain examples, the vibratory unit 106 couples to the plow blade 104 by mounting to the plow blade 104. In FIG. 4, and by non-limiting example, the vibratory unit 106 includes a mounting plate 404 with fastener locations 406 for mounting to the plow blade 104.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an example vibratory unit 106 of FIGS. 1-2 that is fluidically coupled to a hydraulic fluid system 500, wherein the vibratory unit 106 is configured to be connected to a hydraulic fluid line. In FIG. 5, and by non-limiting example, the vibratory unit 106 includes at least mounting location 502 to receive a fastener, at least one hydraulic fluid receiver 504, and at least one hydraulic fluid line 506 to fluidically couple to, and receive hydraulic power from, a hydraulic fluid system 500.

The hydraulic fluid system 500 includes a hydraulic fluid source 508 for storing hydraulic fluid. In certain examples, the hydraulic fluid source 508 includes hydraulic fluid that is stored within the plowing implement 102. The hydraulic fluid is pumped from the hydraulic fluid source 508 through the hydraulic fluid lines 506 by at least one hydraulic fluid pump 510. The flow of hydraulic fluid can be controlled using at least one control valve 512 that is used to direct the flow of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic fluid system 500. The hydraulic fluid travels along a direction of travel 514 to and from the vibratory unit 106 before the hydraulic fluid is returned to the hydraulic fluid source 508. In certain examples, the controller 110 is operably connected to the at least one hydraulic valve to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the at least one vibratory unit 106. In certain examples, the hydraulic system includes the plowing implement's hydraulic power system.

In certain examples, and as described in FIG. 2, the operative connection between the plow blade 104 and a power source is a hydraulic connection. In FIG. 5, and by non-limiting example, the hydraulic connection includes a hydraulic system for supplying hydraulic power to the at least one vibratory unit 106. As shown in FIG. 5, and by non-limiting example, the vibratory unit 106 includes at least one hydraulic fluid receiver 504 for receiving hydraulic fluid and hydraulic power from at least one hydraulic fluid line 506.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the plow blade 104 of FIG. 2, including the cutting edge 608, a vibratory unit mounting plate 604, vibratory unit fasteners 602, and a cutting edge angle 606. In certain examples, the cutting edge 608 is includes a curvature that is angled relative to the ground surface 114 (not shown). The cutting edge angle 606 can include a range between 15-45 degrees. The connector 108 can include a pivot point that is configured to allow the plow blade 104 to pivot relative to the ground surface 114 and adjust the cutting edge angle 606. As shown in FIG. 6, and by non-limiting example, the vibratory unit 106 can include a convex or concave shape to match a curvature of the plow blade 104 to mount flush to the plow blade 104 using the vibratory unit fasteners 602.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method 700 for removing debris 112 using one or more of the vibratory units described herein. The steps herein pertain to a method for transporting debris using the debris removal system, wherein the plow blade 104 utilizes the vibratory unit 106 to penetrate a top layer of debris 112 above a ground surface 114 and push the debris 112 by frictionally engaging the ground surface 114.

The method 700 includes a step 702 of providing the debris removal system 100. The debris removal system 100 (including the plow blade 104, the vibratory unit 106, and other components) is described and illustrated above with respect to FIGS. 1-6.

The method 700 includes a step 704 of frictionally engaging the plow blade with a ground surface. A downward force of the plow blade 104 against the ground surface 114 can be managed using the spring assembly 210 and the snowplow shoes 208 as illustrated and described in FIG. 2.

The method 700 includes a step 706 of activating the at least one vibratory unit to break apart the debris. As described and illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the at least one vibratory unit 106 breaks apart the debris 112 by providing vibrations to the plow blade 104 while the plowing implement 102 provides a pushing force to the debris 112. In certain examples, the step 706 includes using a controller 110 to selectively facilitate the transfer of power to the vibratory unit 106. In certain examples, the transfer of power occurs from an electrical connection as described in FIGS. 3-4. In certain examples, the transfer of power occurs from a hydraulic connection as described in FIG. 5.

In certain examples, the controller 110 is operable using a switch to control the power supply that is provided to the at least one vibratory unit 106 via the operational connection. In certain examples, the controller 110 includes a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface allows a user to adjust the power supply to the at least one vibratory unit 106 via the operative connection. As shown in FIG. 7, and by non-limiting example, the controller 110 is located within the plowing implement 102 to be accessible to a user while the user is operating the plowing implement 102. In certain examples, the controller 110 is located remote from the plowing implement and is accessible via a network computing device. The controller 110 is illustrated and described in further detail with respect to FIGS. 3 and 5.

In certain examples, the step of engaging the vibratory unit to break apart debris 706 includes a user operating the controller 110 in conjunction with the plowing implement 102.

The method 700 includes a step 708 of transporting the debris by applying the pushing force to the debris. The purpose of applying a pushing force to the debris is to clear the debris 112 from a desired surface, such as a path, sidewalk, roadway, driveway, parking lot, field, or the like.

The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claims along with their full scope or equivalents.

One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A vibratory snowplow assembly for transporting snow or ice, comprising: a snowplow blade configured to frictionally engage with a ground surface and transport the snow or ice when a pushing force is applied to the snowplow blade; andat least one vibratory unit coupled to the snowplow blade, wherein the at least one vibratory unit is configured to vibrate the snowplow blade.

2. The debris removal system of claim 1, further comprising a connector configured to couple the snowplow blade to a plowing implement, wherein the plowing implement is configured to apply the pushing force to the connector and the snowplow blade.

3. The debris removal system of claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling a power supply to the at least one vibratory unit, wherein the controller is operatively coupled to the at least one vibratory unit via an operative connection.

4. The debris removal system of claim 3, wherein the operative connection further comprises an electrical connection for supplying electrical power to the at least one vibratory unit.

5. The debris removal system of claim 4, wherein the electrical connection further comprises an electrical power supply, a ground, a vibratory unit connector for electrically coupling the power supply to the at least one vibratory unit, and a controller connector for electrically coupling the electrical power supply to the controller.

6. The debris removal system of claim 5, wherein the electrical power supply is the plowing implement's electrical system.

7. The debris removal system of claim 5, wherein the controller includes a switch for controlling a flow of electrical current from the electrical power supply to the at least one vibratory unit.

8. The debris removal system of claim 3, wherein the operative connection further comprises a hydraulic fluid system for supplying hydraulic power to the at least one vibratory unit.

9. The debris removal system of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic fluid system further comprises a hydraulic fluid pump fluidically connected to the at least one vibratory unit via at least one hydraulic fluid line and a hydraulic fluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the at least one hydraulic fluid line.

10. The debris removal system of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic fluid system further comprises at least one hydraulic fluid valve operable to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to the at least one vibratory unit.

11. The debris removal system of claim 10, wherein the controller is operably connected to the at least one hydraulic fluid valve to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the at least one vibratory unit.

12. The debris removal system of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic fluid system is the plowing implement's hydraulic power system.

13. A method for transporting snow or ice using a snowplow system, the method comprising: providing the snowplow system, the snowplow system including: a snowplow blade configured to frictionally engage with a ground surface and transport debris when a pushing force is applied to the snowplow blade;at least one vibratory unit mounted to the snowplow blade, the at least one vibratory unit being operably coupled to a controller via an operative connection, wherein the at least one vibratory unit is configured to vibrate the snowplow blade; andfrictionally engaging the snowplow blade with the ground surface;activating the at least one vibratory unit to break apart the snow or ice; andtransporting the snow or ice by applying the pushing force to the snow or ice.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing the controller for controlling an electric power supply to the at least one vibratory unit via the operative connection, wherein activating the at least one vibratory unit comprises supplying electrical power to the at least one vibratory unit via an electrical system, wherein the electrical system includes an electrical power supply, a ground, a vibratory unit connector for electrically coupling the electrical power supply to the at least one vibratory unit, and a controller connector for electrically coupling the electrical power supply to the controller.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing the controller for controlling a hydraulic power supply to the at least one vibratory unit via the operative connection, wherein activating the at least one vibratory unit comprises supplying hydraulic power via a hydraulic system, wherein the hydraulic system includes a hydraulic fluid pump fluidically connected to the at least one vibratory unit via at least one hydraulic fluid line and a hydraulic fluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the at least one hydraulic fluid line.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the hydraulic system further comprises at least one hydraulic valve operable to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to the at least one vibratory unit, wherein activating the at least one vibratory unit further comprises controlling a supply of hydraulic power to the at least one vibratory unit by operating the at least one hydraulic valve.