Best Implement to trench/bury 6" Poly Pipe

   / Best Implement to trench/bury 6" Poly Pipe #1  

swmich42

Bronze Member
Joined
May 12, 2009
Messages
98
Location
Southwest Michigan
Tractor
2000 John Deere 4700 4x4 Hydro
Looking to trench and bury 6" Polyethylene perferated pipe. Trench will be backfilled with peagravel to surround pipe. I was thinking middle buster or subsoiler. I have a box blade, and could reduce the rippers to one, however, it is only approx. 3" wide, and would take multiple passes. I know other members have used subsoiler to bury 1" plastic irrigation pipe for sprinklers, but I need method to do same with larger diameter flexible plastic pipe. Total length will be approx. 60-80 feet. I want to be approx. 14-18" below surface.
 
   / Best Implement to trench/bury 6" Poly Pipe #2  
Rent a trencher from a local rental company. I believe Blackswamp Rentals is in your area.

You don't have enough arse (your tractor in your picture) to pull a single point tool that deep to set pipe and even if you did, you'll have to crumb out the cut because the dirt will fall back in.

There are vibrating slip plows that lay pipe and cable but I don't believe you can rent one, and again, your tractor don't have the gonads.
 
   / Best Implement to trench/bury 6" Poly Pipe #3  
While a ride on trencher will do it, they are the only ones that will cut a 6" trench, I believe it will be $300-500 a day, depending on machine. Not worth it for 80ft.

Every walk behind trencher I have rented was only 4" a trencher. Personally I have grown to detest those things. The way they (ride on ones too) throw the dirt right beside the hole makes it impossible to go back over any section without risking it dropping a wheel in the hole and then its a whole lot of fun to get out, I know.

I would rent a small excavator or small backhoe. Around here those go for under $200 a day (one was $165 and the other was $185 can't remember which was which), and if you're making a french drain like I did (mine was 85ft long) it will make it a LOT easier to set the pipe. You will want a small amount of gravel under it, and on both sides to keep dirt from getting to it and clogging it up. get a 12" bucket and you will have it done in no time.

My preference would be the backhoe, as they seem like a more stable platform, if you have the room, otherwise get an excavator, they are a LOT more maneuverable. i have used both on my place.
 
   / Best Implement to trench/bury 6" Poly Pipe #4  
I just did the same job. middle buster will Not do the job. as the plow is lowered the point angle changes as the 3pt travels through its arc of movement preventing itself from digging deeper. bite it and rent some form of machine you are comfortable with to do the job.
 
   / Best Implement to trench/bury 6" Poly Pipe #5  
Sounds like the perfect mini-excavator project to me.
 
   / Best Implement to trench/bury 6" Poly Pipe #6  
My favorite is a Bobcat ride on trencher, all hydro driven, you will spend more time driving and unloading than digging. Maybe you have a neighbor who wants sprinklers and you can split the cost:thumbsup:
 
   / Best Implement to trench/bury 6" Poly Pipe #7  
Maximum length 80 feet & maximum depth 18 inches. I could dig that with a spade in the time it would take to go rent a trencher and return it. My dad talks about the old days when they would tile entire fields by hand. The guy in the bottom of the trench was often over his head.
 
   / Best Implement to trench/bury 6" Poly Pipe #8  
Maximum length 80 feet & maximum depth 18 inches. I could dig that with a spade in the time it would take to go rent a trencher and return it. My dad talks about the old days when they would tile entire fields by hand. The guy in the bottom of the trench was often over his head.

There you go Spoiling the Fun. :D:laughing:
 
   / Best Implement to trench/bury 6" Poly Pipe #9  
Maximum length 80 feet & maximum depth 18 inches. I could dig that with a spade in the time it would take to go rent a trencher and return it. My dad talks about the old days when they would tile entire fields by hand. The guy in the bottom of the trench was often over his head.

I dug mine by hand w/ a 4" spade, only 70' long though. I couldn't have used a machine b/c it was only about 18" away from the house - water dripped off of the roof into the french drain. No machine I looked at was narrow enough. Believe me, I wanted to rent something.
 
   / Best Implement to trench/bury 6" Poly Pipe #10  
Only 80' and 18" deep. You can go cheap by ripping the ditch with a plow,subsoiler,middle buster,or a boxblade with one ripper and finish with a shovel. Good exercise and character builder.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2019 BOMAG BW120AD-5 SMOOTH DBL DRUM ROLLER (A52707)
2019 BOMAG...
2023 54' Hooklift Dumpster 20 Cubic Yard (A53422)
2023 54' Hooklift...
11ft S/A Fuel Tank Trailer Frame (A51691)
11ft S/A Fuel Tank...
City of Lakeland (A51691)
City of Lakeland...
UNUSED Yellow Outdoor Patio Fabric Screen (A53117)
UNUSED Yellow...
43030 (A51691)
43030 (A51691)
 
Top