Trencher vs. Digger

[Rob Holmes]

In the near future we have 600m of 4 inch pipe to lay, it'll be a single run in one field, with natural fall, which would be cheaper, get a contractor in with a trencher (there is one locally) or hire in a mini digger and do it ourselves?
Ground is clay

 

[Kevtherev]

Faster with a trencher but a good man on digger will do it.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

I'm in the same predicament come new year. Similar sort of distance. Had a quote for a trencher, but think I'm erring on just getting the digger on it. It will be slower but cheaper and it's already here. On a much longer run I'd probably go with the trencher for outright speed. Will still need a digger or loader bucket to reinstate it.

You'd probably get it done in a day with a trencher. Should easily do it in two. Check the delivery/collection charges.

 

[quattro]

Are you putting gravel in if so might be cheaper with trencher

 

[Zebbedee]

Trencher should be cheaper I would have thought, a short day whereas a 13t digger would be closer to 2 days dig and backfill.

 

[How much]

You will get the pipe in quicker and leveller with a trencher backfilling and keeping the pipe flat in narrow trench is sometimes tricky , if your using gravel to backfill definitely the trencher

 

[nick...]

If you installing perforated plastic use a trencher as the pipe will be supported at the bottom and both sides.if using a digger and have a flat bottom trench the pipe will get crushed and flattened unless using stone to support it.i learnt this after getting wet spots and digging up pipe to find it was squashed
Nick...

 

[Kevtherev]

If you installing perforated plastic use a trencher as the pipe will be supported at the bottom and both sides.if using a digger and have a flat bottom trench the pipe will get crushed and flattened unless using stone to support it.i learnt this after getting wet spots and digging up pipe to find it was squashed
Nick...

That's where a proper draining/tile bucket comes in [emoji106]

 

[scholland]

That's where a proper draining/tile bucket comes in [emoji106]

We got a v bucket made with very step sides and not so wide at the top for stone drains. Pipe sits well in the narrow bottom and covers easy with little stone. Works a treat but absolutely no use for open ditches!

 

[hally]

Trenchers ok if you are sure there are no existing drains in the ground or you know where they are. Back in the 80s alot of fields ruined around here by trenchers in the old Fhds scheme as they carved up old horseshoe tile systems. By digging a trench all the old systems are found as you go and tied into the new pipe can be alot cheaper in the long run

 

[wasted years]

If you installing perforated plastic use a trencher as the pipe will be supported at the bottom and both sides.if using a digger and have a flat bottom trench the pipe will get crushed and flattened unless using stone to support it.i learnt this after getting wet spots and digging up pipe to find it was squashed
Nick...

What squashed the pipe? Did you put first layer over new pipe with digger?

 

[4course]

trencher is faster and cleaner using far less gravel if needed shame you are too far away as we have a aft trencher on tractor with creep box to do our own and a little bit of hire is always welcome

 

[Steevo]

One big difference between the two is that the trencher will give you fine crumbs to backfill with, a digger will almost certainly give you large lumps.

 

[Danllan]

Trenchers ok if you are sure there are no existing drains in the ground or you know where they are. Back in the 80s alot of fields ruined around here...

Very true, I'm in the process of replacing ditch drains that are under gateways. Some time ago a predecessor put piped water to all the fields and used a trencher, very good, but... he went through at least four old 6" drains where the trencher passed in the centre of gateways. No true idea yet how many in-field drains were also ruined, but I have a fair idea and this weather is making it ever plainer....

Only rule I can see that is always valid with drains is 'put in bigger than you think you'll need.'

 

[Zetor]

Could probably do it in about 2hrs if you don't need any backfill, no mess.

 

[nick...]

What squashed the pipe? Did you put first layer over new pipe with digger?

Weight of soil settling back in trench does the squashing.natural settlment
Nick...

 

[Matt L]

Any self respecting trenching company look at plans for existing drains and you can always see where you have chopped through them. We make sure they are all cleaned out when we cut through and a stone junction installed if not a purpose made plastic junction. Companies that just charge in and don't do their homework or repair drains they have cut give others a bad name!

 

[Philip Watkins]

Any self respecting trenching company look at plans for existing drains and you can always see where you have chopped through them. ........

Not every farmer has drainage plans for their farms. I agree, old tile drains and more recent plastic drains should show up as you pass through.

 

[Matt L]

Yes fully agree that very old systems not recorded or plans lost.
Just saying that if people dont bother to look it irritates me, not as much as drains being cut and not repaired

 

[neilo]

Trenchers ok if you are sure there are no existing drains in the ground or you know where they are. Back in the 80s alot of fields ruined around here by trenchers in the old Fhds scheme as they carved up old horseshoe tile systems. By digging a trench all the old systems are found as you go and tied into the new pipe can be alot cheaper in the long run

The estate is putting in Ground Source Heat Pumps for a few of their tenants, and the contractors have been using a trencher in the last couple of weeks. I was talking with him and in one field just over our hedge, they went across the paddock and managed to find a clay pipe drain at nearly 3' deep every 6m. No records as put in a very long time ago. They had to use a digger to reinstate each one afterwards, leaving it looking like the Somme.