Three point trencher

JerryG · Jun 7, 2003

Thanks Jim,
I didn't think that you would have to keep kicking it in and out of gear if you had creeper gears. I have heard some say you did and some say you don't. It guess it depends on how low and how many creeper gears that you have. I have four creeper gears in addition to 12 regular gears both forward and reverse.

longway5 · Jun 8, 2003

We've got the Bradco one at work that we use on a New Holland mechanical (45 hp) with a creeper range. Put it in creeper-1st gear and idle it along, and it will trench just about anything but solid rock. It will still pull up good size rocks on its own though. I think someone asked for the minimum depth on the Bradco - its 0". There is a hydraulic cylinder that controls the angle of the chain, and thus the depth. We use it mostly for drainage tile and irrigation, so we don't go much deeper than 15-18", but it could.

ScottAR · Jun 8, 2003

gearmore sells one as well.... I dunno any prices though.

diggerjim · Jun 9, 2003

The problem I 've encountered is at max. depth of 30". 6" to 18" is a breeze, thats tree/flower planting range! I put water lines in at max. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hope this helps.
Jim

Anonymous Poster · Jun 11, 2003

How do these trenchers compare speedwise with a good operator on a backhoe. I can see the advantage of not repositioning the tractor every ten feet or so, plus you would be guaranteed a consistent depth. How do they handle spud sized rocks? Around here you get more spuds than dirt once you scrape off the topsoil, will the teeth carry these rocks out of the trench?

diggerjim · Jun 11, 2003

hntr

Speed in my experience is about the same. We don't have alot of rocks although I've run into alot of bricks from old buildings and the trencher chews em up and spits em out. The main difference I see between a backhoe and trencher is topsoil damage, in most cases the trencher damages less soil than a hoe. My Case hoe bucket is 2 feet and that tears up the turf. A smaller hoe bucket would tear up less but would have some problems dumping wet or damp dirt (from our area) in my experience. Tree roots are a scourge for smaller trenchers like mine and a hoe usually would be an advantage in rooty areas. There are advantages and disadvantages for each piece thats why I have both.

My trencher was purchased at an equipment auction and was new without chain. The seller threw in a used chain to get me going. My Case hoe is old and slow but gets the job done. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Hope this helps.

Jim