1. Excavation Methods  In order to set up a permanent habitat on the moon, trenches will need to be dug in order to cover important cables, protecting them from machinery and radiation from the sun.  Building a robotic machine to accomplish this task before astronauts arrive will save money and reduce risks involved.  A backhoe-type autonomous robot is one idea that could be used for many other tasks as well

2. Wheel Trench Cutter A wheel with lots of scoops In front, side, or behind Many sizes of scoops

3. Bucket Excavator Hydraulic arm with scoop attached to the end Very popular

4. Chain Trencher Similar to Wheel trencher Uses steel teeth attached to a chain

5. Vibratory Plows Creates a duct by vertically vibrating a plow blade. Cable is laid into the duct