Trenching - Backhoe or Sub-soiler?

[scoutcub]

A future (this year) project is running a trench approx. 100' for electric service to a garage. I have a backhoe, but my narrowest bucket is 1'. Was thinking about a sub-soiler, but wondering about how deep can they go? Can you get 2' deep with a subsoiler or middle buster?
It's not a straight line from origin to destination, so I'm thinking the subsoiler would be easier.....looking for some opinions!

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Geez, I don't think a sub-soiler will go down 2' but, don't take my word for it.

I think you're going to want to fire up that backhoe.

Good luck with the dig.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would use the 12" bucket and backhoe and not look back.

 

[oldnslo]

Would a sub soiler leave the trench open? All of the Ag type sub soilers I have seen in use the trench always closes part way behind the unit.

Utilty type plows bury the wire or conduit as you go. Can a sub soiler big configured to do this also?

Roy

 

[Highbeam]

My subsoiler takes every bit of 30 hp to pull through at full depth and is maybe 18" down. You could make multiple passes and if the soil is right you would have opened up a one inch or so slot 18" down. More likely, the slot will fill with chunks of soil making placing the stout cable or conduit very difficult without the use of a trenching shovel.

Why own a backhoe if not for this very type of project?

 

[scoutcub]

My subsoiler takes every bit of 30 hp to pull through at full depth and is maybe 18" down. You could make multiple passes and if the soil is right you would have opened up a one inch or so slot 18" down. More likely, the slot will fill with chunks of soil making placing the stout cable or conduit very difficult without the use of a trenching shovel.

Why own a backhoe if not for this very type of project?

Well........thats the kind of input i'm looking for.........i've got a 32 HP SCT, should b able 2 handle it........

 

[Ken45101]

I did a trench last year for low voltage line that only needed to be a few inches deep (I put it in conduit). I used a subsoiler for most of it, but as others have told you, the dirt falls back in.I don't think you could get a trench open enough with a subsoiler to get a line deep enough for 110/220.

I would go with a backhoe for a 110 or 220 line (which I've done several times.)

I destroyed my subsoiler and toplink doing the project. It hit an old fence post broken off below ground and went sideways and bent the heck out of the top of the subsoiler and bent the threaded portion of the toplink into a u shape before it broke it I finished with the backhoe.

Ken

 

[polo1665]

Hey Frank,
Check this thread out. I always thought this guy had a pretty neat idea using a subsoiler to pull wire.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/122515-pulln-cable.html

Mark

 

[Diamondpilot]

Hey Frank,
Check this thread out. I always thought this guy had a pretty neat idea using a subsoiler to pull wire.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/122515-pulln-cable.html

Mark

This system works well. I used the ripper tooth with a piece of conduit to bury propane line. I stole the idea and it worked like a charm.

Chris

 

[fish6942]

Other than wanting to use what you have, why not rent a walk behind trencher? That's what I used a couple years back when burying a power line about 100'. If I recall, the trencher went at least 3' deep. You may want to check your local codes as well to see what the min depth is. Also, I had to bury a warning tape 1' (??) above the wire per code.