trenching for electrical wire

qzbmpc · Nov 1, 2002

What is the best way to make a trench about 12" deep and about 200' long. I dont want it to wide because I'm only putting an electrical cable in it. The ground is mostly flat with one small 3' hill. I was thinking of taking off the blade on my middle buster and using that. Not sure if it will work. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

PitbullMidwest · Nov 1, 2002

If you do a search on this topic you'll find that many have done exactly as you suggest with a middle buster, based on their success I'm sure you'll have the same outcome.

Good luck.

Gary_in_Indiana · Nov 1, 2002

Depending on whether or not I wanted it to look nice when I was done (e.g. if it was somewhere a significant other wanted kept nice), I'd probably just rent one of the Ditch Witch brand machines made for the task. You can load your cable on it and just drive it from your start point to your finish point and you're done. It not only buries the cable but puts the dirt and most of the sod back in place, too. Even with the time you'll spend getting and returning the machine I think you'll be done sooner with a nicer looking job than you'd believe. Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Mosey · Nov 1, 2002

Check out <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=buildit&Number=205770&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=>Ray's gadget</A> and <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=buildit&Number=203372&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1> shade2u2's gadget</A>.

If you don't have a box blade to make one with, then a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://tractorsupply9.crossmediaservices.com/tractorsupplycatalog/listing_detail.asp?listingid=-2098777929&storeid=2315513&offerid=>sub soiler</A> might work. Or, you could just use the sub soiler to make the trench and then put the cable in and the sub soiler wouldn't make as wide a trench as the middle buster.

Anonymous Poster · Nov 1, 2002

Hi,

I have not done it yet, but I bought a subsoiler specifically for the purpose of laying some underground feeder wire. I figured I could use the sub soiler afterwards for other purposeses...now winter is almost here so I will have to wait till spring...

Gradual bends of electrical conduit are available in different sizes and rather cheap. That is what I plan to use as the wire feed, similar to what is pictured in the posts referred to above.

Wish I had some pictures to post, but I am in the "before the before" stage, so to speak. I am pretty sure it will work though.

Anybody have some pictures of a subsoiler used for this purpose?

Bill in Pgh, PA.

Steven · Nov 1, 2002

Not sure If your biulding codes apply to this. but most electrical lines need to be put into some type of conduit piping 18" deep. I have used my bx-22 to dig many of these for an electrician in my area. I do not think those attachments on the above post will do this. this only applies if you need to follow code. other than that they will work. just remember were you put the line for future digging. this picture I saved from someones post (sorry I do not remember the name) I am going to make one over the winter. this may work also.

nicklan · Nov 1, 2002

I tried my my back blade an it made to 18". Code is 24" so I guess I need to do some digging. I hope Santa brings me a backhoe /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif.
Nick

diggerjim · Nov 2, 2002

After reading several posts about trenching I came across the following web site: http://www.farmshow.com/issues/250608.asp
This shows a trencher attachment to a loader bucket that would allow shallow trenching in most applications. One could build something similar without to much expense, its a very simple idea. Could be made into a 3-pt attachment too. Just thought I would mention it.

cisco · Nov 2, 2002

Many prior threads re. this topic - use a subsoiler, if all you want to do is bury wire - middle buster for wire and larger water line. The subsoiler trench is basically filled by running along such with one of the rear tires of your tractor, but the small ditch created by a middle buster (aka potato plow) requires a box blade, and then because not all the dirt gets back in place, dumping of further dirt along the trench, & more box blade work.