Auburn Trencher

[ncsawyer]

We are getting ready to build a house and plan to install waterline and automatic waterers on the farm for the cows.  Between these two projects, I have over a mile of waterline to put in, I thought it wise to invest in a trencher.  So, I found a Ford 250C with an Auburn Trencher and Auburn 6-way blade on the front.  The tractor is low hours and in great shape.  The trencher needed new teeth, so I ordered the correct ones (the worn out ones currently on the machine did not appear to be the correct teeth) from Ballentine.  I tried it out for just a few feet and it gets the job done in a timely fashion.  

Just wondering why these machines aren't still in production.  Seems to be a pretty stout machine and trenches pretty quickly.  It also seems that parts may be hard to find.  Are there others out there with experience with these machines?  What is a good source for parts?

[luap]

You see many mini excavators around now that can dig trenches and a whole lot more.

[Southside]

That and horizontal boring technology has eliminated the need for a trencher as it does the same thing in less time, with less disturbance, and can go under obstacles a trench would damage such as roads.  Still for farm use I don't think you can beat it.  

[samandothers]

Hopefully where you'll be digging is fairly root and rock free.

[btulloh]

Haven't seen on of those as tractor implement. Sounds interesting. Most of what I see are ditch witch type self powered trenchers. A lot of horizontal borers too, like Southside mentioned but they are used mostly to go under roads and such. 

How about a pic of the machine?

[samandothers]

I remember seeing those in 80's then started to see more Ditchwitch and Vemeer purpose built trenchers designed for trenching or plowing.  They were more maneuverable.  Then small excavators took over the 'trenching' and had the ability to carry whatever was being placed in the ditch or over it. Though so much is directional boring now.

Sounds like it will meet your need.

[ncsawyer]

Hopefully where you'll be digging is fairly root and rock free.

I hope so too.  If I do find any big rocks. I plan to "skip" over it and get the excavator after it.

That and horizontal boring technology has eliminated the need for a trencher as it does the same thing in less time, with less disturbance, and can go under obstacles a trench would damage such as roads.  Still for farm use I don't think you can beat it.  

I agree. I certainly wouldn't want to pay someone with a boring machine to come install over a mile of pipe.  That would quickly exceed my willingness and ability to pay.