Power trencher availability

Roen

Hi,

I'm looking for a mini power trencher or similar way to get a 50-55m trench approx 50cm deep cut in a front lawn.

Not keen on a digger as it's a soft enough area and would track up badly. Not mad about digging it myself either as I know I'll never get the time to get it done in one weekend. Plus a broken back 18 years back hasn't improved my appetite for manual labour.

Rang four hire places in the South East but no joy. They seem rare enough in Ireland but plentiful in the
UK and further afield.

Anyone any ideas?
Cheers.
R.

foxy farmer

Roen wrote: »

Hi,

I'm looking for a mini power trencher or similar way to get a 50-55m trench approx 50cm deep cut in a front lawn.

Not keen on a digger as it's a soft enough area and would track up badly. Not mad about digging it myself either as I know I'll never get the time to get it done in one weekend. Plus a broken back 18 years back hasn't improved my appetite for manual labour.

Rang four hire places in the South East but no joy. They seem rare enough in Ireland but plentiful in the
UK and further afield.

Anyone any ideas?
Cheers.
R.

How long is the the trench and what are you putting in it?

Roen

foxy farmer wrote: »

How long is the the trench and what are you putting in it?

50-55m. Sticking 50mm ducting in it to carry fiber cable.

foxy farmer

Roen wrote: »

50-55m. Sticking 50mm ducting in it to carry fiber cable.

Have you looked into an impact mole? (Grundomat) Would require digging a few holes along the route but much less surface damage.

Roen

foxy farmer wrote: »

Have you looked into an impact mole? (Grundomat) Would require digging a few holes along the route but much less surface damage.

I'd thought of that. Used to be a plumbers labourer back in the 90s working on oil to gas conversions and the road crews bringing the gas in used to use them.
Just assumed that they were the preserve of large road gangs.
Could be a goer alright. Must look into it.
Cheers is appreciated!

listermint

If that fails.

Be smart couple of lengths of 18mm ply would cover any surfaces with no problems. Tracks can easily be mitigated with intelligent planning

enricoh

Dunno the name of it but got a lend of a kinda mole plough type thing and put in a 25mm thick armoured cable in 100m or more with the 3 point linkage of the tractor - was down a good foot.

Roen

I know those things. Towed behind the tractor.

Wouldn't be that suitable here unfortunately. Ground is too soft and the lawn would go to bits. Although if we get a summer like last year we'd get away with it.
Cheers.

listermint

Roen wrote: »

I know those things. Towed behind the tractor.

Wouldn't be that suitable here unfortunately. Ground is too soft and the lawn would go to bits. Although if we get a summer like last year we'd get away with it.
Cheers.

Again ply would solve this about 4 or 6 sheets moved in rotation you wouldn't notice anything was done.

jack of all

Not overly experienced but I did use one of those power trenchers for a small job years ago and to be honest if you've back problems it's not a machine you'd want to be using- there's a serious pull out of it and it can be hard to manoeuvre. Go with the ply sheets and a mini digger

Roen

Apologies Listermint. Missed your first post re ply.
It's something I hadn't thought of. And probably wouldn't have. It's put a new complexion on things.

@jack of all trades. Where did you get the machine? I'm fine with a lot of physical labour, but pick and shovel kill me.

jack of all

Roen wrote: »

Apologies Listermint. Missed your first post re ply.
It's something I hadn't thought of. And probably wouldn't have. It's put a new complexion on things.

@jack of all trades. Where did you get the machine? I'm fine with a lot of physical labour, but pick and shovel kill me.

I didn't procure the machine, my brother did- he was working with a utilities contractor at the time.

tradesman

One good man using spade would dig it out in 1 day. Remove turf first for reuse. You lay the pipe in your own time then just cover over and replace turf. Job done!

enricoh

tradesman wrote: »

One good man using spade would dig it out in 1 day. Remove turf first for reuse. You lay the pipe in your own time then just cover over and replace turf. Job done!

Yup, a young lad with a pick axe after plenty of rain!

listermint

tradesman wrote: »

One good man using spade would dig it out in 1 day. Remove turf first for reuse. You lay the pipe in your own time then just cover over and replace turf. Job done!

enricoh wrote: »

Yup, a young lad with a pick axe after plenty of rain!

No one wants to dig a 55 meter trench by hand lads. Thats just nuts.

Rent a small differ, get some plywood move the ply as you go.

Cheaper in terms of time and effort.

Calahonda52

tradesman wrote: »

One good man using spade would dig it out in 1 day. Remove turf first for reuse. You lay the pipe in your own time then just cover over and replace turf. Job done!

50 by 0.5 by .2 = 5 cu m by 2.6=13 tonne /7 hours= c 2 tonne an hour