Trenching machine

[stevewilliams]

Anybody used one? I've got around 200m to dig to take a MDPE water pipe so only need a narrow trench. Seem a lot cheaper to hire than a mini-digger but wondered if they will be too slow or struggle in my clay soil.

Many thanks

Steve

 

[Burnerman]

I had a 20 HP trencher hired from Lord Tool Hire.....Honda engine, like a subterranean chainsaw. Worked well enough in soil with sandstone rubble buried in there. Occasionally needed a bit of help when it hit a stone slab!
John

 

[JohnD]

what size trench will it dig... and how fast?

 

[Burnerman]

I had to go down about 200mm I think - it was to bury an oil supply pipe and the width, if I recall, was just less than 3".
I've seen these things with tracks on, but the one I had was wheeled. Not the cheapest thing to hire though but it went through a grassed area well enough.
John

 

[stevewilliams]

I think I need to be at 750mm to avoid freezing and the one I've seen you walk backwards and the spoil is deposited either side of the trench. Just wondered how quickly it can move along. With 200m I need it to get a bit of a shift on!

 

[Burnerman]

Aye, that's quite a depth.....best ask the hire company how deep the thing can go.
John

 

[Himaginn]

Why not enquire about a moling machine?
http://www.speedyservices.com/moling-equipment-hire

 

[Newboy]

750 mm deep is good enough for frost protection.

Hire one of these and you'll be done in a day.

Just make ABSOLUTELY certain that there are no underground services in the cut line

http://www.hsstoolshop.co.uk/pedestrian-trenchers-for-hire-5605-p.asp

 

[stevewilliams]

Thanks everybody for your advice, I think the pedestrian trencher is the way to go for me.