DIY Rotary Trencher?

VTHartford · May 6, 2006

I have an idea for a 3 pt rotary trencher. It would be based on the concept of a EX Trench groundsaw. I think driving it hydraulicly off the remotes would be easiest. Use the 3 pt hitch and hydraulic toplink for up down. Possibly belt drive it from the hydraulic motor to the shaft that the cutter disc rides on. Seem like I could make a decent 12' - 18" trencher pretty cheap.

Has anyone seen one or tried this?

Bill

drmiller100 · May 6, 2006

probalby easy to do. a few thoughts though.

take your gallons per minute that your hydraulics put out, at at 2500 psi, that will basically be your horsepower.
the trenchers seem to be 8-10 horsepower. do you have 8-10 gpm?

this would probably work for long straight trenches. not so great for tight stuff as maneuvering the tractor around would become annoying.
If you have a tractor and a 3 point, and want a trench, why not just build a small plow out of corrogator parts?

Taylortractornut · May 7, 2006

I made one copying one made by another forum member. His was in the attachment section. His had paddles around a wheel. Min had paddled but I didnt have enough material for that and used som longer tiller tines. When I remake It I will use all tiller tines as they take less HP. The paddles help throw out the materials but the down side is that they throw a little back into the trench. Make sure you front guard is on the right angle. Mine I forgot to tighten the bolts and it came off and then the excavated material flew past me about 40 feet past the tractor. Mine will dig a 6 inch wid trench 8 to 10 inches deep. I may stagger some of my paddles to reduce the power use. I just used a 1to 1 gear box.

sandman2234 · May 7, 2006

Shortened Long Link

That should be the link to the trencher I built. I still hope to see pictures of Taylortractornut's trencher.
As he stated, these things throw a lot of dirt, or anything else that gets in it's way.Build a guard that works!!They also eat a lot of horsepower for such a small implement. (I pulled mine thru Fla sand with a 13 hp diesel, but it didnt' want anymore.
I may be wrong, but running it off the hydraulic's on the tractor is an awful lot of demand on the tractor.
Why not do it like we did, but put a clutch in the middle of the pto driveline.
Good Luck, and post lots of pictures!!!
David from jax

VTHartford · May 8, 2006

Where in Jax are you located? I am in Green Cove Springs but I bought 9 acres in Callahan and will start building my house this summer. That's why I need a trencher. Lots and lots of trenches, mostly sand up there.

Bill

sandman2234 · May 11, 2006

Westside, couple miles outside the bypass just south of 103rd, and north of the Argyle Forest area.
Clear as mud?

Hollar if I can help.
David from jax

sandman2234 · Jun 10, 2006

VTHARTFORD (Bill)
Just how much trenching do you have to do? Just wondering if building one is worth the trouble, or if you would be better off just borrowing one?
Mine could probably stand some work done on it, but what is the point if I don't need to use it? Guess if you needed to borrow it, I would have a reason to go work on it...
David from jax

sandman2234 · Jun 10, 2006

VTHARTFORD (Bill)
Just how much trenching do you have to do? Just wondering if building one is worth the trouble, or if you would be better off just borrowing one?
Mine could probably stand some work done on it, but what is the point if I don't need to use it? Guess if you needed to borrow it, I would have a reason to go work on it...
David from jax