Anyone with a PT own a chain trencher attachment

[woodlandfarms]

Gotta ask, about to make either a brilliant or stupid decision.

Anyone own a trencher ? Got a few questions like how well does it work? You drive backwards? Does that suck or cause you are going so slow you can keep up with the line you want?

 

[Marks481]

It cuts amazingly fast until it finds the exact right size stone that jams the chain sprocket. Which in my soil happens about every 6 feet. If there were a reversing block on the PTO, it would be a non-event. Without one, I carry a 3 lb sledge and a chisel.

Driving backwards is no big deal.

 

[MossRoad]

You could ask PT if the motor on the trencher is reversible. If it is, just swap the hoses. We could use a gender changer adapter if needed, or switch all of the implements to male connectors, and the PTO to female, and color code them for rotation/direction.

I've actually been thinking of doing the color code on the AUX PTO/QA and my power angle snow blade, since they are both female on the QA and snow blade, and male on the AUX PTO. It never fails that I'll hook the snow plow up opposite about every other time I use it, and that flips the direction that the knee lever controls.

As for how it digs, I do not know. I don't have one. PJ (RIP PJ) had a trencher on his 425 when he lived in Montana, and did a huge excavation with his trencher and bucket. He'd trench out a bunch of area to loosen it, then scoop it up with the bucket. He basically cut into a steep hill and put a garage on the bottom level, with a potting shed that walked out level to the ground. It was huge for a 425 and he did it quite well.

 

[ponytug]

Not having Tim's rocks, I have fewer issues. Like the rototiller, I just drive forward six inches, with the chain engaged with the soil, which moves it backwards, dislodging the offending rock.

I have both the six inch and four inch teeth, and they rip right along, going backwards..

Usage tip: use chalk to paint your desired line on the soil. Even without rocks, variations in slope, soil, etc., can cause deviations from the ideal path. I also use the light house technique of two posts at the beginning, one behind and higher. You can use them to keep a straight line.

I put in ~1000 feet of subsurface drainage in with it. Easily paid for itself.

Don't overlook its utility in building terraces, retaining wall footings, and trails. I use an alligator like side to side motion to clear and level terraces and trails. Way, way faster than a backhoe.

My only mild complaint is roots. Not having carbide teeth, you can really pop the trencher up/sideways if you hit a stubborn root unexpectedly. The upside to not having carbide teeth is the fantastic earth moving ability. If the trencher were an animal, it would be a badger; it just drops into soil like it is soft sand.

As always, YMMV...

All the best, Peter

 

[MossRoad]

You could ask PT if the motor on the trencher is reversible. If it is, just swap the hoses. We could use a gender changer adapter if needed, or switch all of the implements to male connectors, and the PTO to female, and color code them for rotation/direction.

I've actually been thinking of doing the color code on the AUX PTO/QA and my power angle snow blade, since they are both female on the QA and snow blade, and male on the AUX PTO. It never fails that I'll hook the snow plow up opposite about every other time I use it, and that flips the direction that the knee lever controls.

As for how it digs, I do not know. I don't have one. PJ (RIP PJ) had a trencher on his 425 when he lived in Montana, and did a huge excavation with his trencher and bucket. He'd trench out a bunch of area to loosen it, then scoop it up with the bucket. He basically cut into a steep hill and put a garage on the bottom level, with a potting shed that walked out level to the ground. It was huge for a 425 and he did it quite well.

My mistake, PJ used the mini-hoe to claw out the huge excavation. I bumped a couple of his old posts for reference.

 

[agjones]

I've got one. It's a competent trencher. Keep a decent edge on the teeth and go slow you'll get the hang of it fast...coughing up the occasional rock is usually easy by dragging the chain opposite a few feet.

I don't Trench much... But carry that attachment every day. I've used it to breech pond dams, terrace.... It's a **** of a trail builder. Great tool.

You could easily get a qa plate for your pt, stick it on a male skid-steer or mini skid plate and rent a trencher.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Well, this is the grand stupidity I jumped in on today. $300 off craigslist. Engine is seized and it has been sitting out as parts donor but there is a lot to take off of this machine. The plan is to tear into it, get a handle on what we have and don't have, take the trencher off and make a rig for my PT. Gonna be interesting if nothing else.

 

[cqaigy2]

It's good to have a hobby. That will keep you off the streets and out of trouble for a while.

 

[ponytug]

I agree. It’s great to have a hobby like that. Are you going to add propane boost to power into things?

Or buy another couple to get this one running....

All the best, Peter

 

[MossRoad]

Oh it'll keep him off the streets, but out of trouble? hahahha

Neat find. How large is that trencher? Looks huge.