[TowerTalk] trencher

[Steve Maki]

When I converted from suspended feedlines to buried, I decided to place 
them below the frostline, which is around 36" in these parts. I only had 
a total of around 700' to trench, but needed to get multiple 4" conduits 
& 1-5/8" feedlines below the frostline, because of the multiple towers 
hanging off my trunkline.

Decided that a 6"W x 48"D trench would suit my needs.

First tried a walk-behind 48"er, which my clay gravel mix absolutely 
laughed at. I calculated that it would have taken between 1000-9575 
rental hours to do it with that machine. It would have been fine dealing 
with black dirt or sandy dirt, but you need serious weight to pull rocks 
out of the ground.

Tried a much heavier *riding* 6" trencher, and I thought - YES. 5 or 6 
hours later, the main trench and side branches were done. Of course 
there was then the little task of installing the conduits & hardline. Oh 
and then pushing the "dirt" back in. You'll be thankful that you rented 
a little something with a front push blade or front bucket for that.

The point being that you should have a serious machine for 1400' of trench.

-Steve K8LX

On 11/1/2017 17:25 PM, Jeff wrote:

> I want to cut a slot in the yard about 12” wide and about 12” deep to accommodate tower wiring here on the site.  In total the runs are about 1400 foot.
> 
> Is a trencher the right tool for that job?
> 
> I have no experience with that sort of thing but the rental guy I talked too scratched his head when I mentioned the 1400’ length and the fact the trench was shallow.  Maybe I have the wrong rental place.  Or maybe this is better a job for a mini excavator?