Middle Buster or Subsoiler for Water Pipe Trenching? Or just rent a trencher??

[SanDucerro]

Need to lay some water lines down. I can rent a 35-45HP ride on trencher for about $390 a day, or I could buy a Middle Buster or Subsoiler for less than $200. In the "reviews" section of Tractor Supply - both the subsoiler and the middle buster implements have reviewers who say they use these to cut trenches/ditches to bury the pipe. Question is, does this actual work? If so, is one better than the other?

 

[Halftrack]

I have used a trencher and a subsoiler with a pipe laying attachment. To me, it depends on what you are planning to do. If it involves long runs with no T's of about 12 inches deep, go with the subsoiler. If you are talking a lot of T's, then rent the trencher, cut your trenches as fast as you can and return it. Lay the pipe with T's and cover with your equipment. The middle buster will be difficult to maintain anything close to 12" deep but is the alternative to the trencher for and open trench to assemble T's. If it is the long run situation, look for a subsoiler with the pipe laying attachment or fabricate your own. Good luck.

 

[SSdoxie]

if it works or how well depends on soil type, hidden obstructions, how deep, weight & HP of the tractor. If you are going to try it, get the subsoiler. It has a longer shank for extra depth. You can always get a middle buster shovel to put on it. I have used a middle buster to bury electrical and TV cable (made mistake and Middle Buster, but I didn't need extra depth for the cables). I made first pass with a subsoiler tooth on to get ground penetration then went back for second pass with the middle buster shovel to clean and widen the trench.

 

[gwdixon]

If you intend to bury PVC pipe in a area that has a lot of traffic (tractor or otherwise) and/or ground engaging equipment then a trencher is the best bet.

A middle buster trench is way too shallow for serious pressure pipe burial IMO. Plus, unless the soil is perfect, a shovel is necessary to clean out the ditch as the spoils will often fall back into the ditch. Gravity is not friendly for this application.

I just helped my neighbor put in PVC pipe to drip irrigate 50 redwood trees (they require a lot of water). He plans to flail mow the "orchard". When the ground gets wet here it turns to putty so a tire could easily sink and break the pipe.

Anyway, he bought a trencher at auction, we rebuilt and serviced it, then dug a tremendous amount of trench about two feet deep with cross ditches for the drip line to come out at the base of the trees. Under no circumstances would a middle buster have done a satisfactory job.

Bottom line: If you are going to lay water pipe in your vineyard it would be advisable to get the line deep and out of harm's way. There is a lot of necessary traffic in a vineyard and your M7040 is heavy enough to sink in a wet spot. It will get out but repairing the damage is a detriment.

 

[SanDucerro]

If you intend to bury PVC pipe in a area that has a lot of traffic (tractor or otherwise) and/or ground engaging equipment then a trencher is the best bet.

A middle buster trench is way too shallow for serious pressure pipe burial IMO. Plus, unless the soil is perfect, a shovel is necessary to clean out the ditch as the spoils will often fall back into the ditch. Gravity is not friendly for this application.

I just helped my neighbor put in PVC pipe to drip irrigate 50 redwood trees (they require a lot of water). He plans to flail mow the "orchard". When the ground gets wet here it turns to putty so a tire could easily sink and break the pipe.

Anyway, he bought a trencher at auction, we rebuilt and serviced it, then dug a tremendous amount of trench about two feet deep with cross ditches for the drip line to come out at the base of the trees. Under no circumstances would a middle buster have done a satisfactory job.

Bottom line: If you are going to lay water pipe in your vineyard it would be advisable to get the line deep and out of harm's way. There is a lot of necessary traffic in a vineyard and your M7040 is heavy enough to sink in a wet spot. It will get out but repairing the damage is a detriment.

Good points. The ground is sandy loam where I'm laying pipe and it does tend to refill what you dig. The trench will be inside the "H" brace on the vineyard rows, so the traffic will be crossing at the entrance to the row. While the M7040 can and will go down the rows, it's not the preferred tractor for row work. But, having said that, I can see where a need would exist for the M7040 to run a sprayer after a rain event - so that may be the deal breaker....

 

[mikim]

I bought a subsoiler from TSC but the first 20 feet - it twisted into a pretzel. Had a heck of a time getting it off the 3 point. TSC gave my money back. I'd still like one for trenching but maybe I'll buy a welder and use it as a "first time project" thing. I have a backhoe that I've been using for several years -- it works OK but slow and makes a big trench for conduit or small water line. Unless you plan on trenching as a regular activity - renting might be the best. Rentals make the best trench in the least time and when you're done you take it back and they do the maintaining.

 

[ishiboo]

How many feet of lines are you burying, and what diameter?

I would probably use the subsoiler unless there were a lot of complex right angles/etc. where you couldn't simply weave through. The L3130 will pull it fine. It will go quite fast. You will need a helper to unspool the irrigation line unless you build a spool mount for it. The black HDPE pipe does not recover well from being kinked.

A middle buster doesn't really get down far enough and makes somewhat of a mess... the subsoiler leaves a very small trench you can almost pack right over by driving over when you're done, it doesn't even heavily disturb the sod.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Look at this attachment at Agri-Supply to lay continuous poly pipe up to about 2".

3 Point Pipelayer-Pipe Layer Attachment | Agri Supply #73622

It works with this one;

3 Point Subsoiler-Subsoiler Attachment | Agri Supply #73410


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[Arc weld]

Why not rent a walk behind trencher for a lot less money?

 

[lostcreekranch]

Why not rent a walk behind trencher for a lot less money?

I would guess even a small 12" WB trencher would rent for $100+ per day. The above kit is about $200 total and you still have a pretty good ripper.

My 2 cents worth.

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