PTO Trencher

[chowl]

Does anyone have any info on a PTO trencher. One that can
be hookup to your three point hitch and the pto on your tractor to cut a trench.

Thanks
Les

 

[Highbeam]

They are really expensive. Several thousand dollars.

 

[ScottAR]

Kubota used to make one. Bradco still does. model 612 if I remember correctly... 36inch I think about $4500.oo. or around about it...

 

[rambler]

My understanding is you need a very slow speed to make it work - hydro tranny.

--->Paul

 

[farming]

Glencoe also listed one... no idea on price.
http://www.glencoe.agcocorp.com//default.cfm?pid=1.7.9
Let us know what you find out.

 

[Propertymaint]

Just another option - boltonpowerequipment.com sells an off brand trencher. I saw one while I was at his yard picking up a chipper. Depending on the trenching you are doing and the type of soil, an off brand piece of equipment may or may not be an option for you. I tend to buy name brand equipment for longevity and parts availability but have to admit I do own a couple of off brand attachments that I have bought for occational use and have been quite pleased with their performance. I was told the guy's who install silt fencing for construction projects love them because they can cut a shallow trench in the soil to tuck the silt fencing into without having to do it by hand. I am sure there are dealers closer to you where you might be able to see one up close. With any off brand equipment though make sure parts are readily available. Good luck.

 

[farming]

Here is a link as the url ends in equip...
http://www.boltonpowerequip.com/ptotrencher.html

 

[keeney]

I added a PTO Hydraulic pump, resevoir, and valve to my JD 4100 to run a hydraulic-powered trencher that I borrowed. It was designed to mount on a Toro Dingo, so I also made an adapter to mount it on my FEL and/or 3-point. Worked great.

As another responder pointed out, you really need to creep along the ground, keeping pace with the cutting of the trencher, so a hydrostatic transmission is almost mandatory.

The hydraulic drive gave a nice feleing of indestructability when hitting rocks and roots - the pressure relief would just let it gracefully stall if it was really hung up. A mechanical-drive trencher would have to have a slip clutch or sheer-pins. The ability to hydraulicly reverse the trencher to clear rocks that wedged in the chain feed was also useful. I am not sure if a PTO-powered trencher would have reverse.

I know that both the Toro Dingo and Mini-Bobcat attachments are available for rental in many places, so I wonder if such an adapter would have any commercial value as a product?

- Rick

 

[gregp]

I am very interested in the trencher from bolton power equipment. Is there anyone out there who has seen or heard of one in use?

 

[Dirthog]

I have a bradco trencher that I have used quite a bit in my excavating business but you will need a hst tractor gear will not run slow enough even with a creeper gear also they are a high mantaince item! they are not the easy on a tractor either so be warned