Using a middle buster to bury drain tile

[Mosey]

After posting the thread “Burying drain tile” in the Projects forum, I found the thread “Middlebuster” in the Attachments forum. So, with apologies for asking the same question on 2 forums, what is the best way to trench for burying 4 inch drain tile without the expense of renting a ride on trencher or backhoe? I’ve got it narrowed down to either renting a walk behind trencher for 4 hours or buying a middle buster, at a cost of $100 either way. In the thread “3pt trencher available?”, someone stated that a walk behind trencher will provide quite a workout (I have a front tine walk behind tiller, so I get the idea!). So, is a middle buster a good attachment for burying drain tile? If so, I can buy one for about the same cost as I can rent a walk behind trencher for 4 hours, but then the middle buster would be mine to keep and the tractor will do all the work! Thanks.

 

[Von]

Danny, If it was me I would buy the middle buster or a sub soiler to dig the trench. Even if it takes longer look at the seat time you will be getting! I think a middle buster will make a much wider trench than a sub soiler will. They do make a combo tool that is both for about $149.00. This way you can try both out and see what works best!

 

[Matyac]

Von-

Do you have any further info (brand, model number) on the combo tool you refer to? You've got me interested...

Thanks.

-Scott Matyac

 

[Kodiak]

If you rent the trencher. You might consider using 3" drain tile. most of the walk behind trenchers dig a 4" wide trench. And it can be a pain trying to squeeze the 4" DT into it.

 

[Turfman]

<font color=blue>someone stated that a walk behind trencher will provide quite a workout (I have a front tine walk behind tiller, so I get the idea!).</font color=blue>

Using a walk behind trencher on a weekly basis I can say that a front tine tiller is a joy to use compared to a trencher.

It was also commented that a walk behind cuts about a 4" trench and 4" drainpipe would be a tight fit. This is very true. The better rental units only cut ABOUT a 4" trench, the cheaper units cut a 3" trench. This makes getting 1 1/2 sprinkler pipe in the trench easy, larger is a bit more work. So, I guess I'm trying to say you really need an inch or more slack (minimum 1/2 inch per side). Remember that most trenches don't run perfectly straight.

How many feet are you running? What is the depth? Most walk behinds have a limited depth. They claim 12-18 inches, but in practical experience they run way less.

A middle buster would do the job, if you have the time (more passes to clean up and get the needed depth), can get the tractor close enough to the project to make the cuts, the soil is soft enough, and get the needed depth out of it. I have not used one for this purpose, but it sounds feasible. I also think you'll end up with a bunch of hand trenching to clean out the trenches.

You might try a sprinkler installer. They have large dedicated trenchers that can do the job and many will come out to cut trenches for homeowners without doing the installation of the pipe.

Best of luck and let us know what you do and how it works out.

Turfman

 

[Slamfire]

Finding a middle buster that will dig deeper than 14 inches is a real problem. If your drain pipe needs to be deeper than that you need a trencher.

 

[dlabrie]

Does anyone know where you can buy a middle buster on line?
David

 

[Bird]

David, I would imagine there are a number of web sites, but I haven't really don't much searching. One site that I know of is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ssbtractor.com>http://www.ssbtractor.com</A>, but at $175, I think that's too much. I can buy them locally much cheaper.

 

[theboman]

Sweet Tractors should have them but it may be smarter to find a TSC or Northern Freight near you since the shipping will be around $50 on a tater plow.

 

[Mosey]

Turfman,

“How many feet are you running?”
About 300 feet. It’s in a open area, so I’ve got lots of room for the tractor.

“My wife is a charter member of DAM (Mothers Against Dyslexia)”

That’s a good one! Have you heard about the dyslexic agnostic insomniac? He lays awake all night wondering if there really is a dog!

Thanks to everyone for your help. I only need to go about a foot deep, so it sounds like the middle buster is my best bet. But, right now is not a good time. After the wettest spring in about 100 years, June has been dry and the ground is like concrete! I’m in no hurry though, so maybe after the fall rains I can get it done before the ground freezes. Plus, TSC has King Kutters for $100, but they might run a sale between now and then, so not being in a hurry might save me some money. I just need to get it done before next spring.