Got this crazy FEL attachment idea

[RitchElbe]

Couple years ago I found a working Ditch Witch J20 Mechanical Trencher at the local scrap yard. Clutch went out a year later.
I use it from time to time by starting in gear or just using creeper mode. But of late.. I've been pondering the idea of mounting the trencher on a quick connect for the FEL. and power it off a PTO. any thoughts?

 

[AchingBack]

I would be more inclined to put in on the 3 point hitch. However, your idea might be better. You'll never know unless you try.

 

[/pine]

Personally If the DW is worthy I would replace the clutch...it would be worth more as a working machine than it (what's left) would be as a parts junker...granted DW parts are not cheap but for a (again) "worthy" machine it could be well worth the money/time/effort... JMO...
interesting idea though...!

 

[MossRoad]

I'd power it off hydraulics.

 

[Sodo]

I've been thinking about that too.

One thing to note, if you are ditching straight lines it might work well. Which is usually that's the case with buried lines. But think about how you would "steer" it. On the FEL, your 'steering wheels are about halfway between the ditcher and the rear wheels, so anytime you turn, or make any corrections, you have to put a significant side-force on the trencher.

I'd sure like to have a J20 for a couple weeks….

 

[woodlandfarms]

#2 on Hydraulics.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Interesting idea. Regarding turning, if you have the trencher angled from front to back sort of under the tractor front end, you could travel forward and the steering arc would produce less side force.

Having it on the loader with the ability to change the angle with dump feature would give you a lot of flexibility in trying to get close to structures.

I don't know how practical a pto drive would be on a loader attached trencher. Seems like hydraulics would allow for movement of the loader arms and "bucket" articulation.

 

[Sodo]

Maybe let it "caster"?

What's happening in the trench is not very "visible" to the operator - not sure how well it would work around buildings (or buried electrical or gas lines). Muscling a trencher around on uneven ground makes you want a better way though. I've never used a trencher like a J20 though, only the "walk-behind" style.

 

[farm boy00]

One thing i always wanted to do to do was get a trencher and put a loader on it. It the trencher on front or bac?

 

[RitchElbe]

If you were close I say come and get it to use to your hearts content. My main uses would be breaking up the ground plate in the garden and combing banks etc. No tight turns on my land or those I know

I've been thinking about that too.

One thing to note, if you are ditching straight lines it might work well. Which is usually that's the case with buried lines. But think about how you would "steer" it. On the FEL, your 'steering wheels are about halfway between the ditcher and the rear wheels, so anytime you turn, or make any corrections, you have to put a significant side-force on the trencher.

I'd sure like to have a J20 for a couple weeks….