Digging a trench

[GlennT]

My tractor is small--a JD Model 670. I am going to run some irrigation lines (probably 1" plastic) to trees and bushes around our yard. What might I hang on the back of the tractor to make some trenches? I would be satisfied with shallow trenches (4" to 6" inch depth); however, we do have caliche in part of the property. Freezing will not be a problem. If necessary, I will try to plan ahead and then rent a trencher and do all of the trenches at once; however, it would be nice to be able to do a little at a time as I get to it and I would also have the implement available for future needs.

 

[jinman]

Glenn, If you look down this forum a few lines, you will see a post about middle-busters and subsoilers by MikePA. I "swiped" this image of a subsoiler from Paul Hart in that thread. This should be "just the ticket" for what you want to do. Of course, you can get to places with a small trencher that you can't get to with a tractor. You can get a subsoiler or middle-buster at Tractor Supply for around $100.

JimI<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by jinman on 11/18/01 08:41 AM (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[thumperjb]

What size tractor would be needed to pull one of those? I want to bury some PVC (water line) and was hoping to find some implement I can use with my B7500 Kubota.

 

[Bird]

You can use either a subsoiler or a middle buster (potato plow) - I prefer the middle buster. If you have trouble pulling it, just don't go so deep and make multiple passes instead of trying to get your full depth on one pass.

 

[aschk]

I just purchased a sub-soiler (much like the one pictured, only built a bit beefier) yesterday, and used it today to begin a trench for a 2" pvc drain pipe. I am using a 20 HP Kubota 1750,and had no problem going thru clay and roots ( to about 6-8 inches in two passes), and this is after no rain in 2 months! Now for the work part: the sub-soiler will not remove the loosened soil from the trench. I was told by the fellow I got it from that if you first make your cut, then go back to the beginning and attach the pipe/hose to the implement and re-trace the line, it will pull the line thru and bury it for you. haven't tried it, but maybe someone else here has?
The middle buster blade - called a shovel blade around here - will take the dirt out . It will not, however, put it back in after your pipe is laid.
Pick your poison.
I can say that this is the coolest, dirt-buster I have ever seen. Good luck with your project.
Andy

 

[jinman]

Have you seen the vibrating trencher they use to bury telephone lines? They mount a roll of telephone line on the trencher and thread the wire through the foot on the trencher. It works like magic. I don't know about something as big as pvc, but if you are successful at doing it, please let us know. My personal favorite is a small trencher, but one rental is more than the cost of a middle buster and/or subsoiler. It's a tool that is almost as handy as a box blade. I use my middle buster to cut ditches and redirect water like an irrigation ditch. It works great and I have cut ditches as deep as 18". I highly recommend one to anybody, even if you have to remove some dirt from the trench.

JimI

 

[njrqs]

I use a single tyne ripper with a pipe layer attachment on the back.

I rip the trench twice, then go back with the pipe layer attached and it lays the pipe in the trench. Doesn't go real deep, but deep enough for water & irrigation.

Picture attached without the pipe layer attachment.



<font color=blue>Neil from OZ.</font color=blue>

 

[RayDiers]

If you like to make things yourself here is a web site to look at:

http://www.cadplans.com/3pointhitch.htm



Ray

 

[dthomas]

Neil,

Could you please post a close-up of the pipe laying attachment? I have a ripper and have been wondering about using it to lay water lines. How big a line can you bury and what length?

Thanks,
Donald

 

[njrqs]

Donald

Attached is the pipe layer. It is home made (not by me) and is just a large sweep bend of galvanised iron pipe. It bolts on to the back of the ripper as per the next photo.

I have laid 25mm water pipe and apparently it can lay up to 40mm poly (1.5"). If the pipe was really flexible, I suspect you could lay almost as big as the pipe layer's bore size.

Any length can be laid, just lay a bit past the joint and back up and start the next bit. Join later by hand. Doesn't go real deep but might just be my soil.

Hope this helps.

Cheers



<font color=blue>Neil from OZ.</font color=blue>