box blade modification to do narrow trenching?

[BruceT]

Was wondering if anyone has tried this....? See attached edited picture.

Instead of purchasing a subsoiler/trencher, take a center shank off the box blade and temporarily bolt an equally heavy (or heavier) steel leg to extend it down an additional 12-18". Result is not intended to be a cleaned out trench, rather just a narrow break-up that can then be cleaned out manually. Intended for SHORT runs where underground feeder elect wires or small pipe would be laid down.

A welded extension would also be an option, but bolting on would keep the availability of the implement to revert back to blading easily. Anyone tried this?

 

[jdgreg]

I just dropped the center shank and made a couple of passes to get the desired width, then cleaned out with a narrow ditch shovel. You might could find longer shanks than what you have now, to give a little more depth. But I would think if you tried extending your existing shank as much as you pictured, you would have to add a LOT of support metal to the back of the shank, otherwise it would bend/twist due to the extreme force. If you have a lot of ditch work to do, bite the bullet and buy the trencher. Or you might could find a good deal on ebay or local nickel type add magazines. Or rent one, sometimes equipment rent shops will buy an implement to augment their inventory if someone really needs one.

 

[EddieWalker]

I like the idea, but question the strength of using one longer shank.

I'm wondering if a bracket on the outside plate would work. Then you could slide it up and down, and make it large enough to handle the stress of digging and moving dirt.

The question would be how much preasure could the links handle with a digging tooth on one side?

Eddie

 

[BobReeves]

Don't remember what my Subsoiler cost but wasn't much. Thinking around $160.00, am sure it was under $200.00 Paid for itself first time I used it, now it sits waiting for the next time I need it, doesn't eat and feel it's already paid for.

I would buy the Subsoiler

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

A much simpler solution is to drop one of the lift arms so only one end of the box is in the ground. Makes a servicable ditch for most for most applications.

 

[BruceT]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm wondering if a bracket on the outside plate would work. Then you could slide it up and down, and make it large enough to handle the stress of digging and moving dirt.

The question would be how much preasure could the links handle with a digging tooth on one side?

Eddie )</font>

Thanks to all for the great comments. I probably did not do justice in my rendering of the original image I posted. It's exagerated in length, but I have to agree that extending it to be used in the center is risky. I'm leaning toward Eddie's suggestion of a side plate bracket. These links are fairly heavy duty on my International 300, and I would expect 2WD traction/slippage would give way first to any link damage. Of course the side mount might also adverserly influence steering, but heck I never could drive a straight trench even with a DitchWitch! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bruce

 

[StanleyIdaho]

I just take a shank, turn it upside down and drop it into the sleve, bolt it through the two holes to another shank. Gives me about a 10-12 inch deep cut and I can even offset to an exterior sleve.

Stan

 

[gabby]

Trenching is not necessary. Weld a ring to the back of the tooth and pull the wire or pipe through the ground like a rope. I've planted miles of pvc pipe and wire this way. It's so slick you will be amazed.
gabby

 

[3RRL]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Weld a ring to the back of the tooth and pull the wire or pipe through the ground like a rope. I've planted miles of pvc pipe and wire this way. It's so slick you will be amazed.)</font>

Gabby,
Could you elaborate on that technique? I'd like to try it for pvc pipe on my property. How do you attach the pipe? What about length for long runs? Do you glue the pipes together first or one at a time?
Thanks,

 

[MMM]

I'd be afraid I'd rip out the hole or twist beam and end up needing a new boxblade.
Maybe your luck runs better than mine.