Advice on plow / trencher for large cable mainline job

HI All,

Not sure where to put this since there wasn't a section specifically for vibratory plows and chain trenchers so I figured i'd put it here....

Anyways...

I have an opportunity to do a fair amount of mainline plowing work (supposedly over 9000 feet on one job with others to follow) for the local phone company (they are installing fiber mainline.....conduit appears to be 1.25 inch diameter that needs to go in 30" deep...clay type soil / some rocks).

Currently I mainly do drop bury work but looking to do more for them hopefully become their go to guy for jobs.

Anyways, my largest machine so far is a DW 410 with weights....I believe I can buya 36" chute blade for this machine through the aftermarket and get the 30" BUT the project coordinator seems to think this is a no go and told me to get a bigger machine if I wanted the job.

So, with that I have been researching used machines and was looking for input as to what you think would be the recommended set up / size machine for this mainline work.

I think I need at least a "5" series machine like the DW 5010 or case 560.... But under the theory that bigger is better I have also looked at a dw 6510 and a case 760....how big should I go?....I guess bigger would mean faster and potentially deeper BUT is it possible to go too big / heavy?

What are your thoughts on the DW VS case situation....I know it may be like askimg if a chevy is better than a ford or dodge BUT I'd reallly like to get a feel for what is the best bang for the buck....Also since I will be getting a used / older machine I would like to know how each may be in terms of parts cost and parts availablity / maintenace issues and weak points / strengths? Any inpt on these machines would be appreciated (NOTE: I didn't really include anything from the vermeer line since I have found so few units of them online).

Lastly, does anybody here know the actual weights of the various machines?....I have a hard time finding any data on this and most of the numbers I have seev nary so much I am wondering if the posters really knew or were just guessing.

I currently only have 7K rated landscape trailers so I realize I will have to get another trailer probably no matter which way I go (been looking at a 14K minimum rated trailer but may go all in and get a 12T trailer since I also have a backhoe that I currently cant move myself...may be able to kill 2 birds with one stone since I'll need a bigger tyrailer anyways to move the bigger trencher / plow....I plan on pulling with a cummins powered dually pick up).

Thanks in advance for any and all input on this.

Andrew

Would a RT 115 be a better option with the choice of quad track or tyres? Then you can really lay some cable. Just my 2 cents

Tones said:

Would a RT 115 be a better option with the choice of quad track or tyres? Then you can really lay some cable. Just my 2 cents

Click to expand...

HI,

I'd love to have one of the newer machines, unfortunately my budget doesn't allow for that at this time.....I am looking to max out around 7K but hopefully can find one for less or maybe even do a trade for a no cash out of pocket deal.

Thanks

Andrew

the last contractor I saw plowing in fiber here was using a RTX 1250 with a Front Reel Carrier, and a 650 deer for suport

The title of this tread you asked for advice about a trencher/plough for a "large cable job". To my mind the size and age of the equipment that you are looking at brings into question of reliability and productivity. The only 2 things to consider when buying equipment is the amount of work available and the dollars you get paid for doing it. With the interest rates and the cost of machinery that you guys pay, its probably the best time to buy. In Australia the cost of machinery is double the price of what you guys pay but don't get double the rate and yet some how still make a living.

Good luck with your endeavours.

For this job and seeing how things goes! Maybe you could rent a machine? Even see if the rent might go to a purchase of the machine you use when the project is done.Good luck

D6 based machine in the uk

I like that !....go big or go home....I guess he's staying around HA...

I did see an interesting thing on YOuTube....it was a large tractor (farm type) modified to used a vibratory plow off the 3 point hitch and they fella rigged up a reel carrier on the front in place of the bucket...I like the multi purpose of that machine!

About the only thing I could find that a dedicated plow machine would have over a converted farm tractor may be in the maneuverability side in that some of the larger plows are 4 wheel steering....

I would seriously think about converting a farm tractor over to plow use but that would be more expensive for me initially since I would first have to buy the tractor then the plow parts than fab....so much to do so little $$ (on the flip side hearing that machines cost 2X in Australia maybe I can simply buy and sell machines to Australia...of course shipping is probably big bucks.....)

Andrew

PS - I forget that I actually do have a Cat 977 (used to clear my land....but now more or less sits for long periods) that may be converted over to plow use but man I'd hate to think about moving that thing around from job to job.....

Andyinchville said:

I like that !....go big or go home...
(on the flip side hearing that machines cost 2X in Australia maybe I can simply buy and sell machines to Australia...of course shipping is probably big bucks.....)

Andrew

.

Click to expand...

Getting used equipment through bio-security can be even bigger bucks. I was told of an outfit who sent a trencher over here, it had a small amount of dirt on the chain. It was rejected and deported back to the US at the senders cost.

Looks like you should have taken your pocket book to ritchies sale in Orlando... 3k and this could have been yours...

https://www.rbauction.com/1989-VERM...nvId=4388456&id=ci&auction=ORLANDO-FL-2015101

5k bucks would have bought some nice trenchers for sure.

The other option is using a decent sized skidloader with the trenching attachment.

Tones said:

Getting used equipment through bio-security can be even bigger bucks. I was told of an outfit who sent a trencher over here, it had a small amount of dirt on the chain. It was rejected and deported back to the US at the senders cost.

Click to expand...

Bio Security.....wow....I would hate to see the shipping bill especially since it would be for shipping BOTH ways....Hmmm....I guess a small speedboat offshore to make midnight delivery runs would be in order...HA

I would like to go to an auction sometime but all the big ones are so far away....maybe one day.

As far as where I am now on my big machine purchase....I have located a couple Ditch Witch 6510's that people would be willing to trade stuff for (cash wise I think both feel that around $12K was needed so I have to start finding lots of stuff to trade!)....I did find a case 760 about 800 miles away for $5K and a Ditch Witch 7210 (I think that was the number) for about 6K but that was about 1100 miles from me.......it'd be nice to find something close that was affordable but I guess I'll keep searching!

Andrew

Little late to the game with this post. Just found this forum. I have been plowing cable for over 20 years. You could possibly find you a good used dw 8020t. It's a rubber tired machine we used to use them back in the 90's. We went with Vermeer 1250's. Used those for about 5 years before the company switched over to the dw rt115. I personally hate all vibratory plows. I'm old school and prefer static plowing. Since your asking about vibratory ditch witch has the best shaker box. Never ran any cases bigger than a maxi sneaker. Vermeer rt1250's are nice machines. Just my opinions.