Trencher

[ding2520]

Sounds like the weather forecast tomorrow should be favorable for trying out that new trencher! Don't forget to take video and pictures of the event. If you were to paint one of the paddles and run the tractor at 1500RPM with the numbers you gave us for the gearbox and sprockets you would see the paddle 3.245 times a second!

 

[jimgerken]

Video,Video,Video,Video,Video,Video,. TBN'ers everywhere are chanting!
Ding, you must've ciphered that out wrong Dude. It would self destruct at idle at that speed.

 

[Renze]

I am collecting parts for a ditcher: an angle gearbox from an old Claas drum mower, and a front wheel hub of my previous Volvo FWD car. I think i'll connect the original halfshaft with homokinetic joint to the wheel hub, and weld spades to a standard 14" rim. This way i can exchange the rim/spade set for different ditch or trench shapes, and i've got a well balanced base to start from.

By the way, why be so hard on him, he might be lacking some building experience, but you've gotta start somewhere... I had the chance to play with metal and parts as a very young kid, so my mistakes were forgiven with a smile, just a moment after my father and brothers yelled that i was an idiot...

All the people lacking the skills and guts to build anything like this, are the ones that yell loudest that this trencher will kill you, though they only start to make fun off you after they read that there are more people wondering about this project... kinda howling with the wolves in the forest...

Seriously, if you are careful and start at slow speeds, not much can happen to you because you've got a cage around the wheel.

 

[sandman2234]

I am not as concerned about it self destructing as I am it throwing something at the operator that won't bounce off.
As far as lacking the skills and guts, I think my trencher post pretty much explains what I think about that comment, without having to say anything.

Very few of us have engineering degrees, and only time and experience will teach us what will work and what won't. With all the hair-brained things I have done or built, I am just glad I have some good friends that will tell me that I might be in for a rude awakening.
I would prefer to find out I am wrong about this trencher, as there is a lot of work that goes into building one and I hate to see work wasted.
David from jax

 

[radman1]

Never have I read such negative comments about a "do it yourself project" on TBN. I thought we were a brotherhood of tractor help and enlightenment on the internet and across this great nation. The Wright Brother's had more encouragment than this. I say, pay up the life insurance, start it up at wide open throttle and immediately drop it in the ground. Then look back and laugh at all of those who said "It wouldn't fly."
PS: If the above requirements are met, I am willing to pay $50 for the exclusive video rights.

 

[MOPAULY]

By the way, why be so hard on him,

Because of a little thing called DEATH and SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. While the project looks neat it also looks quite dangerous. If that thing hits an immovable object it's going to jack the tractor up backwards until something breaks which by that time is hopefully not the operator.

 

[Jim_in_Omaha]

After reading these posts I really don't know why Havoctec would post anything regarding his build when he tries it out the first time.

 

[flusher]

Thought you may like to see some pics of my latest project. It runs good but it has not been in the ground yet. The frost is not out yet and it's to sloppy out but hopefully I can try it soon.

I used a Ditch Witch 1330 to cut more than a 1000 ft of trench (18" and 24" deep, 4" wide) for conduit and water pipe around my place. I don't remember how many times I stalled that machine (11 hp Honda engine) by hitting rocks and roots. It was a lot.

I think your design is way too flimsy and that major damage is ahead the first time you hit a rock or root.

Also these simple wheel designs drop a lot of dirt into the trench so have your trench shovel handy to clean out the trench.

 

[mikeyd]

If you intend to use this trencher as it appears in the posted pics it will likey self destruct on initial impact or soon thereafter, hopefully quick enough before you get hurt. I pray that you do not try to beef it up in response to all the criticism as it will only allow it to stay together long enough to cause serious damage.

I really do admire your workmanship and willingness to try something new and different and for that you are to be commended. In all candor, please be extremely careful. No one wants to see anyone get hurt.

 

[Roto]

I think it will work on good sandy digging. Lets see this bad boy in action it will hold together

mike