Plowing Pipe in Pictures

[gabby]

It's been a while since I've discouraged anybody from plowing roll pipe instead of pvc. I've done both. I like pvc much better ecause the fittings are so much better.

Yesterday I plowed some 3/4" pvc and I took some pictures. Plowing is so easy when you get the hang of it. I've plowed sizes up to 2"

I use a subsoiler foot with a sharp front edge to minimize grass disturbance. A steel ring is welded at the bottom to tie off to.

The pulling head is just a pvc cap with a hole drilled in it for an eyebolt, with 2-3 feet of pipe attached that I glue to the new pipe for pulling. Just cut it off when you're done and save it for the next time.

 

[wrooster]

The pulling head ...

If you are going to be pulling a lot of pipe I'd suggest getting a pulling mesh, which can also be integrated with a bore cone.

These things hold the pipe like you would not believe. In a past life I installed sprinkler heads on residential and commercial properties, and we would pull the biggest poly through the toughest ground with the meanest Ditch-Witch and the pulling mesh always held. You could pull a rail car with one.

Plc Underground - maxi-grips

Directional Drilling (HDD) Tooling and Accessories - Drilling Products : Atlantic Supply

Plc Underground - standard mesh grips

Also see the swivel type,

Plc Underground - swivel-eye maxi-grips

Wrooster

 

[anojones]

I've done this as well- probably got the idea from you. Pulled a couple hundred feet of 3/4" PVC in a single pull. My connection was as low tech as it comes, duct tape over the end of the pipe to avoid dirt getting into it and bailing wire around the pipe with duct tape for good measure and more bailing wire to attach to the subsoiler. Gotta remember to drop the subsoiler a few feet ahead of where you want the end of the pipe to end up and I found pre-digging my hole for the connection before I pulled was helpful as well. The big disadvantage is if you don't have enough room to lay the pre-glued pipe out behind where you are pulling- then the poly would be an advantage.

 

[inveresk]

What sort of depth can you achieve with that method?

 

[wrooster]

What sort of depth can you achieve with that method?

How deep does your subsoiler go?

Otherwise, rent a Ditch-witch vibratory plow for the day.

Wrooster

 

[gabby]

What sort of depth can you achieve with that method?

I can go over a foot deep with this subsoiler foot. It's limited by the length of the subsoiler and the lifting range of the 3 point hitch.

 

[gabby]

If you are going to be pulling a lot of pipe I'd suggest getting a pulling mesh, which can also be integrated with a bore cone.

These things hold the pipe like you would not believe. In a past life I installed sprinkler heads on residential and commercial properties, and we would pull the biggest poly through the toughest ground with the meanest Ditch-Witch and the pulling mesh always held. You could pull a rail car with one.

Plc Underground - maxi-grips

Directional Drilling (HDD) Tooling and Accessories - Drilling Products : Atlantic Supply

Plc Underground - standard mesh grips

Also see the swivel type,

Plc Underground - swivel-eye maxi-grips

Wrooster

Why go to all that expense Wrooster? There is so little friction resistance. After you're done pulling you can easily slide the whole length of pipe through the dirt by hand when you're making the connections. It doesn't bind to the dirt until you pack it with the tractor tire.

 

[dieselscout80]

It's been a while since I've discouraged anybody from plowing roll pipe instead of pvc. I've done both. I like pvc much better ecause the fittings are so much better.

Yesterday I plowed some 3/4" pvc and I took some pictures. Plowing is so easy when you get the hang of it. I've plowed sizes up to 2"

I use a subsoiler foot with a sharp front edge to minimize grass disturbance. A steel ring is welded at the bottom to tie off to.

The pulling head is just a pvc cap with a hole drilled in it for an eyebolt, with 2-3 feet of pipe attached that I glue to the new pipe for pulling. Just cut it off when you're done and save it for the next time.

Gaby,

Do you have a pic of your subsoiler?

Do you start with the pipe or do you pull it first with no pipe to get the depth?

 

[babypp2]

The big disadvantage is if you don't have enough room to lay the pre-glued pipe out behind where you are pulling- then the poly would be an advantage.

 

[gabby]

Gaby,

Do you have a pic of your subsoiler?

Do you start with the pipe or do you pull it first with no pipe to get the depth?

Here's a picture. I usually run it without the suitcase weights. The frame is a toolbar with seven slots so I can mount the foot in different positions. A simple subsoiler will work just as well. The front edge of the shank is sharp to slice neatly through the grass, that's very helpful.

Sometimes I make a dry run especially if I want to bury it extra deep or if the ground is dry and hard.

 

[gabby]

The big disadvantage is if you don't have enough room to lay the pre-glued pipe out behind where you are pulling- then the poly would be an advantage.

Not near as much of a problem as using roll pipe. Try gluing up pvc joints and fittings and then try making up joints and fittings with roll pipe. Roll pipe joints are much more trouble to make up, they are prone to leaks, and the fittings with ring clamps cost more. It's a darn poor excuse for pipe.

 

[dieselscout80]

Here's a picture. I usually run it without the suitcase weights. The frame is a toolbar with seven slots so I can mount the foot in different positions. A simple subsoiler will work just as well. The front edge of the shank is sharp to slice neatly through the grass, that's very helpful.

Sometimes I make a dry run especially if I want to bury it extra deep or if the ground is dry and hard.

Thanks

What HP is your tractor?

I have a IH 424 that is about 40HP and I'd like to do the same this you did.

 

[gabby]

Mine is 50+ hp but I think you can do it by making one or two dry runs just don't try to go too deep each time or you will spin out and make a mess. You will be amazed how simple and neat it is compared to trenching and the mess that makes. Good luck!

 

[dieselscout80]

Mine is 50+ hp but I think you can do it by making one or two dry runs just don't try to go too deep each time or you will spin out and make a mess. You will be amazed how simple and neat it is compared to trenching and the mess that makes. Good luck!

Is 3/4" pipe the biggest dia PVC pipe you pulled?


I'd like to start of with at least 1.25" but 1.5" would be best.

 

[gabby]

Is 3/4" pipe the biggest dia PVC pipe you pulled?


I'd like to start of with at least 1.25" but 1.5" would be best.

I've pulled up to 2 inch diameter so you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[EMB5530]

This thread is a kawink a dink this past weekend I just finished making one of these sub-soiler/pipe burying tools out of an old (partially bent)chisel that a friend of mine gave me.
He told me: "Oh youl never get that little 50 horse tractor to burry that thing without it just sitting there and spinning out youl probably have to make 3 or 4 passes to subsoil or burry pipe"
Not so much the 5530 droped it right in and pulled it great the only limit is the 3-point I have to adjust it when I get where I want to start if I wanna burry it deeper than about 19 inches but if I adjust the arms I can go about 26 I havent tried yet but this weekend I am going to adjust it all the way down and see if I can pull it at 30 inches if I can then I will have electricity down at my pond for irrigation on my fruit trees next year(instead of using generator).
The chissel dosent require any weight to pull into the ground it does a pretty good job at burrying itself but I am not sure this will hold true when I start to adjust it down even deeper but I will see soon.
What a better way to burry pipe than rentin a trencher or borrowing my bosses mini-x
No real backfilling required just drive back over it.:thumbsup:

Oh the Exciting times of owning a Nice Powerfull 4x4 tractor
It makes it much more fun to build stuff

 

[hizoot]

This is great! Its going to be so much easier to install a sprinkler system....

 

[wrooster]

Not near as much of a problem as using roll pipe. Try gluing up pvc joints and fittings and then try making up joints and fittings with roll pipe. Roll pipe joints are much more trouble to make up, they are prone to leaks, and the fittings with ring clamps cost more. It's a darn poor excuse for pipe.

I think you are overlooking one thing -- the advantage with pulling rolled poly pipe off of a large reel is that there are no joints, except at the ends. If you put glued-up PVC in the ground, there is a joint every 10, 12, or 15 feet -- and two solvent welds at each joint.

Wrooster

 

[nspec]

You guys all make me jealous. We've got so many rocks up here in New England, I wouldn't get 2 feet with a subsoiler!

 

[GPintheMitten]

Your post got me thinking. I need to bury electric wire 18" deep minimum for about a 200 foot run. Does anyone bury wire this way? or would it tear up the insulation?

I don't remember the exact wire spec, but it is buriable 4-8 wire.