Plowing Pipe in Pictures

[gabby]

It's been a while since I've discouraged anybody from plowing roll pipe instead of pvc. I've done both. I like pvc much better ecause the fittings are so much better.

Yesterday I plowed some 3/4" pvc and I took some pictures. Plowing is so easy when you get the hang of it. I've plowed sizes up to 2"

I use a subsoiler foot with a sharp front edge to minimize grass disturbance. A steel ring is welded at the bottom to tie off to.

The pulling head is just a pvc cap with a hole drilled in it for an eyebolt, with 2-3 feet of pipe attached that I glue to the new pipe for pulling. Just cut it off when you're done and save it for the next time.

 

[wrooster]

The pulling head ...

If you are going to be pulling a lot of pipe I'd suggest getting a pulling mesh, which can also be integrated with a bore cone.

These things hold the pipe like you would not believe. In a past life I installed sprinkler heads on residential and commercial properties, and we would pull the biggest poly through the toughest ground with the meanest Ditch-Witch and the pulling mesh always held. You could pull a rail car with one.

Plc Underground - maxi-grips

Directional Drilling (HDD) Tooling and Accessories - Drilling Products : Atlantic Supply

Plc Underground - standard mesh grips

Also see the swivel type,

Plc Underground - swivel-eye maxi-grips

Wrooster

 

[anojones]

I've done this as well- probably got the idea from you. Pulled a couple hundred feet of 3/4" PVC in a single pull. My connection was as low tech as it comes, duct tape over the end of the pipe to avoid dirt getting into it and bailing wire around the pipe with duct tape for good measure and more bailing wire to attach to the subsoiler. Gotta remember to drop the subsoiler a few feet ahead of where you want the end of the pipe to end up and I found pre-digging my hole for the connection before I pulled was helpful as well. The big disadvantage is if you don't have enough room to lay the pre-glued pipe out behind where you are pulling- then the poly would be an advantage.

 

[inveresk]

What sort of depth can you achieve with that method?

 

[wrooster]

What sort of depth can you achieve with that method?

How deep does your subsoiler go?

Otherwise, rent a Ditch-witch vibratory plow for the day.

Wrooster

 

[gabby]

What sort of depth can you achieve with that method?

I can go over a foot deep with this subsoiler foot. It's limited by the length of the subsoiler and the lifting range of the 3 point hitch.

 

[gabby]

If you are going to be pulling a lot of pipe I'd suggest getting a pulling mesh, which can also be integrated with a bore cone.

These things hold the pipe like you would not believe. In a past life I installed sprinkler heads on residential and commercial properties, and we would pull the biggest poly through the toughest ground with the meanest Ditch-Witch and the pulling mesh always held. You could pull a rail car with one.

Plc Underground - maxi-grips

Directional Drilling (HDD) Tooling and Accessories - Drilling Products : Atlantic Supply

Plc Underground - standard mesh grips

Also see the swivel type,

Plc Underground - swivel-eye maxi-grips

Wrooster

Why go to all that expense Wrooster? There is so little friction resistance. After you're done pulling you can easily slide the whole length of pipe through the dirt by hand when you're making the connections. It doesn't bind to the dirt until you pack it with the tractor tire.

 

[dieselscout80]

It's been a while since I've discouraged anybody from plowing roll pipe instead of pvc. I've done both. I like pvc much better ecause the fittings are so much better.

Yesterday I plowed some 3/4" pvc and I took some pictures. Plowing is so easy when you get the hang of it. I've plowed sizes up to 2"

I use a subsoiler foot with a sharp front edge to minimize grass disturbance. A steel ring is welded at the bottom to tie off to.

The pulling head is just a pvc cap with a hole drilled in it for an eyebolt, with 2-3 feet of pipe attached that I glue to the new pipe for pulling. Just cut it off when you're done and save it for the next time.

Gaby,

Do you have a pic of your subsoiler?

Do you start with the pipe or do you pull it first with no pipe to get the depth?

 

[babypp2]

The big disadvantage is if you don't have enough room to lay the pre-glued pipe out behind where you are pulling- then the poly would be an advantage.

 

[gabby]

Gaby,

Do you have a pic of your subsoiler?

Do you start with the pipe or do you pull it first with no pipe to get the depth?

Here's a picture. I usually run it without the suitcase weights. The frame is a toolbar with seven slots so I can mount the foot in different positions. A simple subsoiler will work just as well. The front edge of the shank is sharp to slice neatly through the grass, that's very helpful.

Sometimes I make a dry run especially if I want to bury it extra deep or if the ground is dry and hard.