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Dixie Dream · 11-03-2009, 09:21 PM

Here is my idea. I am eyeing a V-1150 trencher that is no longer running for $350. These things running carry asking prices of 3-4k. I would really like a trencher attachment for my TO-20. What I am thinking is to take the bar, chain, maybe gear box if ratio will work and attach them to a mount and adapt to run off of the PTO. Anyone do anything like this? It has a 36" bar and I am wanting to dig close to 24" at deepest, so it should fit for what I would like. Thoughts?

Team_Green · 11-04-2009, 04:46 AM

Picture of what your looking at would help.. Sounds expensive to mod to me.

JRC0528 · 11-04-2009, 09:58 AM

I dunno what the ground is like in your particular area, but my area is extremely rocky below about 12". We rented on of those tri-wheeled walk-behind trenchers a couple years ago to put in a new water line to the barn. Whenever that unit hit a large rock, it jumped hard enough that all three wheels would hop off the ground! Now it had a hydraulic motor driving the chain itself, so it could help absorb the shock of hitting rocks. I would think this would be a good way to protect your PTO as well! It'll also give your tractor a beating if you hit many rocks; makes a tiller in rocky ground look tame by comparison!!!

I wonder if it wouldn't be better to mount it straight to the frame of the tractor like a BH mounts, to keep it from jarring around so much out on the 3PH?

P B G · 11-04-2009, 02:00 PM

A good slipper clutch would take some of the shock out of the drivetrain, as would a hydraulic drive.

Dunno as far as shock through the 3pt hitch. I mean I drag a plow through dirt hitting rocks all the time. Would a trencher be much worse?

Dixie Dream · 11-04-2009, 05:26 PM

Well I am thinking the unit would have a clutch on it or some form of slip. I would think most of the parts would be there. To create a mount for it I think would be some what easy and cheaper than buying a trencher attachment. I live in Florida... we don't really have real rocks around me but we do have some serious roots.

rscurtis · 11-04-2009, 06:37 PM

When you see all the engineering that goes into a successful trencher, you'll understand why there are only a handfull of manufacturers in the USA. Keep in mind your tractor will have to run at full speed and power, while moving only feet per minute. The shock loading of a trencher will shortly destroy a conventional drive train.

11-03-2009, 09:21 PM	#1
Dixie Dream MTF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 68 MTF Member # 31854	Trencher Mod Here is my idea. I am eyeing a V-1150 trencher that is no longer running for $350. These things running carry asking prices of 3-4k. I would really like a trencher attachment for my TO-20. What I am thinking is to take the bar, chain, maybe gear box if ratio will work and attach them to a mount and adapt to run off of the PTO. Anyone do anything like this? It has a 36" bar and I am wanting to dig close to 24" at deepest, so it should fit for what I would like. Thoughts?

11-04-2009, 04:46 AM	#2
Team_Green disgruntled poster Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: some where around here Posts: 5,616 MTF Member # 7124	Re: Trencher Mod Picture of what your looking at would help.. Sounds expensive to mod to me. __________________ JD 70 D Standard and other stuff.. life is not a race to hurry through! Ground deer....... would that be the infantry of the deer army?? To quote oldtimer If he is gonna draw on me i'm gonna shot him in the toodles.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--K3X6rptE4

11-04-2009, 09:58 AM	#3
JRC0528 Senior MTF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 160 MTF Member # 21688	Re: Trencher Mod I dunno what the ground is like in your particular area, but my area is extremely rocky below about 12". We rented on of those tri-wheeled walk-behind trenchers a couple years ago to put in a new water line to the barn. Whenever that unit hit a large rock, it jumped hard enough that all three wheels would hop off the ground! Now it had a hydraulic motor driving the chain itself, so it could help absorb the shock of hitting rocks. I would think this would be a good way to protect your PTO as well! It'll also give your tractor a beating if you hit many rocks; makes a tiller in rocky ground look tame by comparison!!! I wonder if it wouldn't be better to mount it straight to the frame of the tractor like a BH mounts, to keep it from jarring around so much out on the 3PH? __________________ JRC

11-04-2009, 02:00 PM	#4
P B G Senior MTF Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: IL Posts: 337 MTF Member # 31016	Re: Trencher Mod A good slipper clutch would take some of the shock out of the drivetrain, as would a hydraulic drive. Dunno as far as shock through the 3pt hitch. I mean I drag a plow through dirt hitting rocks all the time. Would a trencher be much worse?

11-04-2009, 05:26 PM	#5
Dixie Dream MTF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 68 MTF Member # 31854	Re: Trencher Mod Well I am thinking the unit would have a clutch on it or some form of slip. I would think most of the parts would be there. To create a mount for it I think would be some what easy and cheaper than buying a trencher attachment. I live in Florida... we don't really have real rocks around me but we do have some serious roots.

11-04-2009, 06:37 PM	#6
rscurtis Senior MTF Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 333 MTF Member # 25367	Re: Trencher Mod When you see all the engineering that goes into a successful trencher, you'll understand why there are only a handfull of manufacturers in the USA. Keep in mind your tractor will have to run at full speed and power, while moving only feet per minute. The shock loading of a trencher will shortly destroy a conventional drive train.

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