Trencher vs backhoe

[schmism]

So im going to need to put quite a few trenches in on the new property.

- 400' run for 2" conduit for power
- 400 run for new water line
- power from pole barn (meter base) to apt (all 100' runs below)
- power from pole barn to house
- water from pole barn to apt
- water from pole barn to house
- gas line from pole barn to apt
- gas line from pole barn to house
- lowvoltage (cable,phone) to house
- lowvoltage (cable,phone) to apt
- lowvoltage (cable,phone) to barn
- septic lines (i could save on cost of putting in system)
- downspout drains (black corgiated pipe)
- water to yard hydrant(s)
- power to other sheds?

so obiously have a lot of stuff to put underground. I could rent a trencher for like $200 a day. If i planned right i could trench a lot of stuff in one day. (but planning is unlikely to go down like that) a trencher 3pt attachment for the tractor i would assume rents for about the same.

to buy a bradco trencher looks to set me back about $4K after my inital construction is over in a couple of years i would have 0 need for it so i could resell it... (maybee)

but for the same $4K i could buy a small 3pt backhoe (subframe convert whatever) which would trench, albeit slower, but also allow me to do lots of other stuff.

it seems like a no brainer to go with a small 3pt backhoe

my ground is IL farmland ie 4' of topsoil with hardpan under it. Most trenching (digging) would be limited to the top 3' or less.

 

[RobJ]

Simple answer.

Rent the trencher, fast, less dirt piled up everywhere, fast. If you have good easy dirt like you say it'll cut through it in no time.

Then buy the BH on your way home from dropping off the trencher....just because!!

Problem solved!!
Rob

 

[3RRL]

No doubt the trencher is faster with less backfill time, but a backhoe is a great addition for the future "who knows what" projects. Plus it gives you another thing to customize by making a thumb for later.

 

[MossRoad]

If i planned right i could trench a lot of stuff in one day. (but planning is unlikely to go down like that)

Plan it out, spray paint the paths or mark with stakes. Check with any friends or family if they need any trenching done. Have them plan ahead, too. See if you can get a weekend rental to keep it over Sunday and return it Monday. Usually no extra or minimal charge. Split the cost with everyone. Have a trenchfest weekend!!!

 

[Neophyte]

I didn't realize they even made a 3PH trencher. You learn something new everyday.

 

[RobS]

That's all trencher work except the septic lines. As others have said, the trencher will be much faster and less collateral damage. For that much work though, you might rent a ride on trencher as the walk behind one's will work you pretty hard.

And as someone else also mentioned, pick up the backhoe attachment when you're done with all the trenching. You can then put in the septic and be ready for all the other projects that aren't on your list yet!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Obviously, the best is to own both. But since that most likely isn't going to happen, purchase a trencher and use as needed, forget about trying to get it all done at one time. We all know that is just about impossible. Sell when you have your trenching done. If you don't get all your money back, at least you were able to trench at your convenience.

Good luck, Brian

 

[BTDT]

I think someone had a post about a sub-soiler or some such instrument that they made for 3ph to lay water line. It operates like machines telephone co. uses to bury cable. Plows the ditch (inches wide) and plants the hose/wire etc. 2 or so ft. deep. Any one remember that?

 

[Dirthog]

Trenchers are fine as long as the soil is not rocky then they do not work as well unless you have a rock chain on them (carbide teeth= big bucks) the other thing is they are a high mantaince item I have had a bradco that will dig 4' deep for the last 6-7 years it will dig like a bear but be prepared to they do like to shake themselves apart. Even the bigger ones I have run on construction are the same.

 

[schmism]

Plows the ditch (inches wide) and plants the hose/wire etc. 2 or so ft. deep. Any one remember that?

ya i know what your talking about, only problem is "code" is 30-36" deep. that and technically i have a frost line thats 36"+ (although most people will tell you the most they have seen in the past 10 years has been a foot tops)

 

[Riddler]

At first, I was hesitant to invest in a BH attachment (a subframe model), but now I use it so often that it hardly ever comes off the tractor. I even bought a stationary "thumb" for the boom that allows me to grab and lift heavy items without additional hydraulics at the boom end. With the BH, I also have the option of using a hydraulic powered auger that can be positioned into tight spots and subjected to down force, rather than a 3pt auger with no down force. I guess what I am saying is that if you have a sizeable parcel with alot of future construction work to do, you will find so much use for a BH that you won't regret the purchase one bit.

If you can afford it, get the BH now and trench with it some. If you're happy with the speed and results, then you're set. If not, you can always invest more time in planning things out and renting a riding trencher for a day or two.

I have lots of trenching to do too at my 45 acre place. For relatively short distance projects (e.g., less than 100 feet), I use the BH when I feel like it. For the long runs, I plan them out and rent the right equipment. If you have more time than money though, there is nothing to stop you from using the BH to do the long runs too.

 

[CDsdad]

The subsoiler route isn't as easy as it sounds. You can tear up some stuff if you aren't careful (guess how I know). It also doesn't bury very well much over a foot deep. I was using a 35hp tractor and could spin the tires, or worse not spin the tires, if not very careful. Bigger tractor, bigger subsoiler may work better. I know for water lines I'd want them deep as reasonable, especially where it gets colder.

I wound up trenching with a Saturday to Monday rental as mentioned above. I trenched 1600' total for water lines and a walk-behind trencher will knock your fillings loose in a hard spot.

They only charged me for one day rental since I got it at noon on Saturday. Had to have it back Monday 5 pm.

 

[BobRip]

Simple answer.

Rent the trencher, fast, less dirt piled up everywhere, fast. If you have good easy dirt like you say it'll cut through it in no time.

Then buy the BH on your way home from dropping off the trencher....just because!!

Problem solved!!
Rob

I agree. I have both and I figure that about 80% of my trenching is for others. That's OK, but it is an expensive high wear device

 

[sweettractors]

We have a used Ditchwitch rider with a trencher on 1 end and backhoe on the other end for $6995 picked up here is Kentucky--Ken Sweet

 

[wilkesland]

We have a used Ditchwitch rider with a trencher on 1 end and backhoe on the other end for $6995 picked up here is Kentucky--Ken Sweet

Ken -

I've been looking online -ebay and equipment trader - at trenchers with backhoes for some time, but I keep wondering about the backhoe capability.
How would you say the backhoe on a trencher compares to a terramite T 7? More capable, less or about the same?
That's the only machine I've had experience with to date.

Barry

 

[catmadni]

schmism

I have a pto powered trencher I imported from China. It works great.

If most of your trenching is shallow, around 1 foot, it is all you need and its less than $1500.

Deep trenching, you need hyraulic motors and they get real expensive.

 

[Henro]

Schmism,

You have about 2000 feet of trench to dig.

At 3' deep, you may get 25 feet per hour of trench with flat bottom and straight sides. Do you have time to spend 80 or more hours digging trench?

If you need to get INTO the trench, the trencher will not work for you. In my case I put in 250 feet of sewer line and my 16 inch backhoe bucket was just about wide enough to let me get in the trench and join the pipe together. Also the code required crushed stone on each side of my pipe, so a trencher was out of the question for the sewer line.

IF YOU HAVE TIME, the backhoe alone will get the job done. Time is the issue at least in my mind. Yes as pointed out above, there is a bit more of a mess with the backhoe if you are digging a trench for something that does not require the width the backhoe digs...but grass or weeds will grow back. It might even be easier to backfill a wider trench for all I know...

I used my backhoe to dig a trench to run electrical conduit out to my shed, about 100 feet, and did not think it was much of an issue, and did not miss not having a trencher to do the job.

If you are going to cut a slot, throw something in, and cover it back up, no doubt a treancher is the superior tool. But IF you have time, the backhoe shines because of the other things it can do that the trencher can't...

Do you have time to dig those trenches with a backhoe? This may be the deciding question...

 

[sweettractors]

Ken -

I've been looking online -ebay and equipment trader - at trenchers with backhoes for some time, but I keep wondering about the backhoe capability.
How would you say the backhoe on a trencher compares to a terramite T 7? More capable, less or about the same?
That's the only machine I've had experience with to date.

Barry

Barry, I have not had any experience with the Terramite T 7--Our model R-40 used Ditchwitch machine is 4 wheel drive with 18 inch bucket on the backhoe--Ken Sweet
Phone 270-528-3323-Mon-Fri-8-5-CST

 

[schmism]

Do you have time to dig those trenches with a backhoe? This may be the deciding question...

well not all of those projects are going to happen NOW.... the house wont be built for a couple of years... in the mean time we are building a small "apt" to live in... 30x30 onslab "house"

the long run of power will happen within a couple of months and it may be worth the time to rent a trencher for that one and do the rest with a backhoe.

as i spent time out at the property this weekend i sat around and looked at all the projects i could use for a backhoe... makes it easyer to justify the expense...

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Schmism, something to keep in mind when your trenching. With topsoil there is a good chance of cave-ins, especially when left for any long period of time. If it were me, I would trench and install pipe the same day whenever possible. It is no fun digging out cave-ins. Good luck which ever way you decide to go.