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3ph trencher

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Sparky
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 0 Florida
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2001-09-30          32135


Does anyone have any experience with a 3ph trencher? Are they high maintenance attachments? Are they rough on a tractor? How does a hydro hold up set real slow ( cruise control ) for long distances? I have a JD 4400, and the trencher I am considering is used, and trenches about 3+ feet deep. I am not sure but I think it's a Bradley. I can get the exact info this week. Dealer says new is 6400.00, this one is 2250.00. It has been there at least a year so they are not a real hot mover. What do you think?



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Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2001-10-01          32144


The trenchers are built quiet strong today. The used market is tough as most contractors prefer to by new to eliminate down time. The hydro drive tractor is the best for this type operation and the only one I would recommend. As far as to how good they are used depends on what it has been used on. Here in central NY we have some pretty boney land and the chain could be in bad shape. The life would be far less here than in other parts of the country. ....


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Sparky
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 0 Florida
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2001-10-01          32158


Thanks Art. I went back to get another look at it. It's a BRADCO 612. Found their web site easily and it is still sold. So any parts are not a problem. I would be using it to trench in conduit or direct burial URD etc. or communication lines for building projects as part of my electrical contracting business. Many projects are in remote areas with plenty of distance between someones main house and a new guest home or some type of outbuilding/shop. Compared to a utility company plow these look pretty archaic, but it might have it's own niche. ....


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Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2001-10-02          32168


Sparky when you get a small job or any job to do ask if you might rent it. A short time with it and you would know how it will work for you. After sitting for a year I would make sure the chain has plenty of oil on it to loosen up the links so they don't break from being set-up. You may need an extra set of remotes to work it so beware of additional costs. We do have a lot of stones up here but they are still one of the best ways to do things for your work I have seen. Think of the mess with a backhoe! If you "V" the route you take with a shovel first you can make it like you were never there when done. ....


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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2002-03-11          36256


I hope your 4400 is a hydro model also, if it is a gear drive unit it will not go slow enough at pto speed for the trencher. Best of luck. ....


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terryinmd
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2002-03-12          36276


Have a look at www.easternfarmmachinery.com they have pricing on trenchers in one of their catalogue sections. The price seems to depend on how wide and deep you want to go.
PS they ain't cheap ....


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matt_barb
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 25 Loveland CO
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2002-07-26          40692


Sparky,
I realize your original post was 10 months ago, but was wondering if you ever bought the 612 trencher? I have checked on this same unit and cant find anything less than 6k! I would love to find a used one for $1500 or less... Let us know if you bought the 612 and what you think of it..
Matt ....


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Stan
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 87
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2002-07-26          40701


Matt Barb

Sounds like the trencher is a better choice for you then the plow type units. Gives you the option of burying conduit when needed, not just cable.

Also, the plows can give poor results if not used properly. Subcontractor for phone company was out and ran a replacement line from road to house. Went close to one of my trees to (to save 15' of cable I guess). The plow got near a root, raised up, down, and continued. Of course now, a yr later, the cable that was only an inch or so underground at this point is now at the surface.

The previous owner had elec run to the barn underground. Only, for some reason, they brought the feed up and over a piece of drain tile that carries water away from the roof. That left the cable less than 8" underground, 12 feet away from the wall. And you can guess what happened when I started top dig up the tile to repair it... (good thing I am paranoid and had the power off anyway, because I thought I might get close to it next to the wall where the service comes in).
....


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TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
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2002-07-27          40716


Around here, 18" is minimum depth for direct buried cable. Actually the 18" is to the top of treated planks that are required to protect branch circuit cables at these shallow depths. Six-inches of sand is supposed to be below the cable as well. Unprotected cable must be 6" deeper, and conduit isn't considered protection. Service line, lines under road-ways etc. are buried deeper. It may seem like a pain, but the codes are there to reduce risks of serious accidents and the sorts of potential problems noted here.

I've done all trenching for underground electricals with a backhoe. I don't think I'd look at a trencher unless I was doing commercial work. More jobs can be done with a hoe than with a trencher. I don't think I'd likely get a job passed my inspector if I tried using a plow or some thing similar, but I guess codes do differ a bit here and there. I’m not even sure all trenchers work to some of the depths required by electrical, building, plumbing codes etc. Sure are a lot of codes around, but this is Ontario and the governments always seem to be regulation happy. They even pass sets of regulations for which there are no solutions.
....


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Sparky
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 0 Florida
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2002-07-27          40746


I didn't buy it last year. However it was still for sale when I stopped by this week. They moved the price down far enough for me to take a chance on it so I bought it. I picked it up today. Now I use a JD 48 hoe to trench to outbuildings, or rent a ditch witch. I also run CCTV lines too, for example stables ( got to keep an eye on those Arabians ) or wherever someone wants to monitor anything, also automatic gate openers. But mostly just power to guest houses, shops etc. I am not knocking the hoe but even a 12" trench is wide if all I have to do is lay a couple of 1" conduits. The reach is not that far, and you dig - move - set up - dig, and do it all over again. With the trencher it should be faster. 18" is usually the max depth. Sounds good on paper, but we will see. ....


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matt_barb
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 25 Loveland CO
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2002-07-29          40802


So Sparky, Whats going on with your Bradco 612 trencher???
Give us all the details!
Matt ....


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Sparky
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 0 Florida
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2002-08-03          40955


I need a pto shaft made for my tractor length and a few parts. Probably a couple of weeks off before I have any report on it. ....


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YanmarJim
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 12 Southern Illinois
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2002-09-26          42964


Hi
Just reading your adventure with a trencher, I have a Kelly 3pt. hydro driven trencher for my Yanmar 2220D. It will trench 30" deep currently but I am planning on adding another 12" in the future. Takes about 30 min. setup and about 15 min. to remove it. My tractor has 26 pto. hp. and this trencher is a load, 30 hp. would be better. Here in Southern Illinois the clay hardpan can be as tough as concrete. I am satisfied with my trencher though, much easier most of the time than using my backhoe. Less mess. ....


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tomrscott
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 96 Newberg, Oregon
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2005-01-06          103696


re: "They moved the price down far enough for me to take a chance on it so I bought it. I picked it up today."

What did you end up paying for it if you don't mind my asking?

- Another cheapskate that would love to have a trencher but can't afford the prices they go for new. ....


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