Subsoiler and burying electric wires

RonR · Jan 23, 2006

I saw a post here a long time ago where the man rolled the poly out, then ran it over the hood, over the ROPS (guided by clamps) and down through the ripper tube. He said it worked well, but might still require a helper.

My next project will be laying poly for sprinklers. I plan to add gage wheels to my unit so I can hopefully control the depths where the poly crosses itself for multiple zones--and not damage the previous run.

Ron

gabby · Jan 24, 2006

( I saw a post here a long time ago where the man rolled the poly out, then ran it over the hood, over the ROPS (guided by clamps) and down through the ripper tube. He said it worked well, but might still require a helper.

My next project will be laying poly for sprinklers. I plan to add gage wheels to my unit so I can hopefully control the depths where the poly crosses itself for multiple zones--and not damage the previous run.

Ron )

Why use poly instead of pvc?

Sully2 · Jan 24, 2006

Maybe easier to handle???

RonR · Jan 24, 2006

Maybe it's technically not poly--it is made by Crestline (IIRC). Think wall, high pressure, and blue for sprinkler applications. It uses a puncturing plastic piece to tap into for the heads. You screw the stuff together by hand.

It appears way cool and easy to use; the downside is COST. I can't find it cheaply.

Our ground is hard heavy clay. I just don't see being able to pull PVC as a good option.

Ron

sandman2234 · Jan 24, 2006

There is a drawback to pulling the wire as Gabby suggested. In areas where there are rocks, buried glass or metal, or any other object that could have sharp edges on it, can cut the wire or pipe while you are pulling it. Using a larger cap and bushing it down to the size of pipe you are pulling may lessen the chance of cutting the insulation, or pipe, but sometimes it just isn't worth taking the chance. Direct burial cable has a tougher coating on it, so it will take a little more abuse, but even that will still cut, given the right object buried in your path.
I have run both wire and pipe as Gabby suggested, with no "known" problems, but I wanted everyone to think about the chances before trying it that way, and having problems.
One sharp buried item can ruin the whole project.
Doing it the other way, feeding it as you plow the hole, is less likely to damage the wire or pipe as long as you keep it from kinking. However it is more trouble than Gabby's way.
David from jax

sandman2234 · Jan 24, 2006

( Has anyone welded a rod or anything to the bottom of their subsoiler to enable a conduit pull 24" or deeper? I'll be running three different trenches 800' or so come March and would really, really love to not have to rent a trencher or spend the backhoe time digging that far. )
Don't know if a subsoiler would do it, but have you considered building a larger and heavier arm to attempt to do it? You might have to make two passes at it, depending on your tractor, and just how much traction you can get in the soil your working with. If you have "duals", I think it would be time to start putting them on, even if you have 4x4.
There is no doubt that you can do it, with multiple passes, to free the soil up, for the last pass in which you actually bury something.
Also building a vibratory plow using an ecentric powered either by hydraulics, or your PTO would allow for deeper burial.
David from jax

gabby · Jan 24, 2006

(

Our ground is hard heavy clay. I just don't see being able to pull PVC as a good option.

Ron )

I've plowed heavy clay too. Pulling the pipe through clay is not a problem. Clay is slicker than sand and I've pulled in sandy land too. The pipe will follow readily wherever the subsoiler goes.
gabby

Sully2 · Jan 25, 2006

I went to a farm implement place near me saturday. He MAKES all sorts of discs...plows...potato diggers AND real subsoilers. The subsoiler is MASSIVE as compared to the other stuff. He told me that Id need 45 HP to get it down but when I told him I had 30...4 wheel drive and "short runs" he said I might get it done oK...and offered to sell it to me at wholesale ($160) for a ONE TIME purchase ( he has dealers he sells to mostly) and told me if I wanted it..and took it home and couldnt pull it..to bring it back and he'd give me my $$ back! ( I figured that was one **** of a deal??) I figure I can get it down 8 inches in the clay and thats good enough for my job.

Cmon on spring time!!

Trev · Jan 25, 2006

If you get your money back if it doesn't work, I don't see what you have to lose (except some time and effort.)

It might take multiple passes, if the HP isn't high enough.. but again, it's worth a try if you're game. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob