Experience w/ 3-point trencher attachments?

[aaroncmh]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with a 3-point hitch, PTO driven trencher?

I was trying to find out how well they work. I would be trenching mainly 24" for conduits...some applications will require 36" so I would get one that could handle that depth as well.

I can tell you too that it will be ran by something similar to a JD 3320. I don't have the tractor yet but if I can use it for work then I can justify a bigger, better tractor. ha, ha

Lastly, it won't be used every single day all day like some equipment...if that were the case I'd think a dedicated trencher machine would be the best bet.

Thank you in advance,
Aaron

 

[beenthere]

I've rented a PTO 3 ph trencher for use on my 4300 (basic same frame size as the 3320).

It worked very well.

 

[Grandad4]

I had given some thought to a 3pt trencher until I learned a new one from a reputable manufacturer would cost over $6k. There would be no way I could justify such an expense, particularly since I already have a backhoe. I have to put in some irrigation lines, but I'll either use the backhoe or rent a ditch witch. You might be able to find a used one for less money, but watch out for something in rough condition... a trencher is likely to have seen some severe use.

 

[aaroncmh]

Any idea what brand you rented buddy?

I haven't seen one for 6K yet...the ones I've seen are 3-4 but I don't know if they are any good. That's why I asked for some experience. And yes of course you have to have a good reason to buy such an implement.

 

[beenthere]

aaroncmh
I don't recall which brand it was. Worked well, that I do recall. Ran tile lines and lawn sprinkler lines, but it was about 8 years ago. I'll check into it. Thinking it was a Ditch Witch, but don't know for sure.

 

[Grandad4]

Any idea what brand you rented buddy?

I haven't seen one for 6K yet...the ones I've seen are 3-4 but I don't know if they are any good. That's why I asked for some experience. And yes of course you have to have a good reason to buy such an implement.

The one I checked out was a Bradco... a top line manufacturer of commercial duty tractor and skid steer attachments. I recall it was in the $6k range, which seemed reasonable to me considering how it was built. On the tractor version, the chain ran from the pto and the raise/lower mechanism was hydraulic. The skidsteer version was all hydraulic. There may be less costly units out there, but even $3-4k wouldn't be justified for my situation.

 

[aaroncmh]

Thanks Beenthere if you think of it that'd be great...don't dig too hard (no pun intended).

Granddad my situation would justify the cost...if it works well that's why I'm asking for opinions.

 

[Slacker]

I've been told that geared machines won't go slow enough to use the trencher.
The crawl gear/speed that some Hydro machines have is said to be perfect.

That said, I've never seen one for rent or I would have tried it anyway. My backhoe bucket is 16" and it makes a mess trenching.

 

[Grandad4]

That would make sense. If running my 6ft. tiller is anything similar, you need the HST so you can slow down enough to let the implement do its job. Even the walk-behind trenchers creep at a snail's pace.

 

[TheGoose]

Having spent a lot of time on a full ride on ditch witch trencher which actually runs the chain off of hydraulics I can tell you that you have to be able to go slow and steady. On a tractor with hydro you would have to move a little, and then stop, move a little, and then stop. I would be willing to bet that a crawl gear on a tractor would still be too fast.

It would not be the best set-up for $6K. The ditch witch has a crawl function that works well, and usually you need to set it at the lowest setting when digging anything over 12". Making curves is really hard on everything too as now you're putting force side to side on the 3-pt etc.

Also half the work in trenching is covering up the ditch. Not sure how well you could do it with a std. bucket. The trencher has the angled front plow that backfills like a champ.