Drilling and Trenching Continue to Drive Expansion of High Speed Internet

From Heavy Equipment Magazine

North America has, through the COVID-19 pandemic, been reminded of the need for good, easily accessible internet services. A growing demand for remote services of all kinds, from e-commerce to education, is driving continued growth in internet installation. The backbone of that is fibre-optic cable, and contractors in urban and rural regions of the continent are busy trying to keep up.

Add to that the coming 5G networks, and the need for fibre installation – and the equipment that aids contractors to place that cable – remains strong.

Fibre-based telecommunications networks aren’t just about internet access; they are also being used for industrial applications and many others, relayed Steve Seabolt, product manager with Ditch Witch.

“At the core of fibre based networks originally was telecom, but as we moved away from a copper-based network. . . there were so many drivers beyond that,” Seabolt said. “We see large pipeline customers wanting to install fibre-optics within a close proximity to pipelines because it can be used as a sensing device. You can monitor for leaks, third party intrusion, or damage. It was a technology being used for border protection, smart highways and monitoring traffic patterns. There are lots of different applications.”

Much of the focus of fibre installation has been in urban areas thus far, especially with businesses driving for gigabit internet access and growing population densities as well as cellular and data networks in the drive toward 5G. Rural areas will continue to build out for quite some time to come, Seabolt projected, for both homeowners and large farming operations that have growing data needs as well.

Initially, fibre installation was focused on big trunk lines, but today with efforts to get fibre into households and businesses, installation efforts have become more challenging – and more precise.

“This latest boom, as we have added more capacity and attempt to connect every business and residence, has been a more blended approach. You get into confined spaces and more areas where either open cut is not acceptable due to traffic disruption, noise or dust, or you run into crowded easements where, in some neighborhoods, are under a sidewalk or a homeowner’s rose bushes,” Seabolt said. “Under the ground, there are already a number of utilities – it could be a quite congested easement already. So, directional drilling remains a huge part of that solution.”

HDD units are a key tool for fibre contractors as they are able to fit into those small spaces found in urban areas as well as manage rugged rural locations.

“We have machines with a more compact size that are still powerful enough to do longer shots and get beneath or navigate around those obstructions,” Seabolt said. “HammerHead piercing tools used for stitch boring – going from pit to pit under driveways and roads – are a quick, low-tech, fairly inexpensive, simple and reliable tool.”

Microtrenching has become a growing part of fibre installation work over the past decade, and the technique has evolved in the process. A narrow cutting wheel works along a path that is typically near the seam where asphalt meets curb, with a vacuum attached to scoop out spoils as they are dug, making for a clean, quick operation. A variety of depths and widths can be cut depending on the needs of the contractor.

“They can cut a very shallow, very narrow ditch, install, grout it and be gone – homeowners can back their car out over it, kids on bicycles and skateboards aren’t bothered by it,” Seabolt said. “That scales a bit as you get ISPs or cities that want to put in multiple ducts at deeper depths; you create a little more disruption but it’s nothing compared to traditional open cut, and with a lot less challenges for the contractor than working in the easement on the back side of the curb.”

Microtrenchers have become more advanced, adding hydraulic systems that aid in precision and down pressure, and blades have become a huge area of innovation, Seabolt noted, targeting more life and productivity.

In rural regions, installers have less concern with surface obstructions, leading to more traditional installation methods to some extent. “You’ll see a bigger drill, a bit of open cut trenching or rock sawing depending on the material, but more so vibratory plowing,” Seabolt said.

Vibratory plows are the predominant method for open cut work when installing telecom equipment, and in rural applications they are frequently used with larger ride-on tractors, especially quad-track machines.

“The quad track allows operators to work in more conditions and more frequently. It used to be where you didn’t go out and plow the day after it rained because your tires would slip – it’s a very high drawbar application,” Seabolt said. “These tracks add three tons to a 100 horsepower tractor, and it’s down low where the weight benefits you. And then of course you have the increased contact patch, which generates a lot more drawbar and work in more adverse conditions.”

With the advance toward 5G deployment continuing, installation contractors will continue to see business stay steady over the near future, Seabolt suggested – with some additional considerations.

“Those 5G networks, even though they’re wireless, still need towers and you need power to them, which we didn’t see as much before with 4G. When you get into power you need to have two feet of cover over the conduit in North America,” Seabolt said. “Where we were microtrenching to homes for data at a very shallow depth, most of the 5G applications need at least two feet of cover.”

Ditch Witch recently added a new microtrencher, the MT26, which offers 26 inches of digging depth to help make that easier, he noted. “It leverages a lot of things that we’ve learned with microtrenching – the shrouding, the blade technology, the use of vacuums to contain spoils and make it a fast, clean operation.”

Beyond 5G installation, Seabolt said contractors should expect to see more cable work to support advancements like smart cities and highways, fibre-optic sensing networks and more.”There are a lot of other potential applications that are continuing to drive cable and fibre installation,” Seabolt said. 

HYDRAULIC BREAKER
Used for construction and demolition, our breakers can be used to break up asphalt, concrete or even clay. The hydraulic hammer is perfect for any small or medium job you might have. More up-time in the field is always the goal, and with only two moving parts and a few seals, there’s no reason for down-time.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

ROCK SAW

Best suited for irrigation and fiber installation, the Rock Saw attachment can effortlessly cut through rock, concrete, and other tough materials with unmatched precision. 

Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BACKHOE
Easily move materials for rebuilds, new construction, footings, utility repairs and more with this compact and versatile attachment.
Compatible Models

SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

STUMP GRINDERS
Featuring a heavy-duty boom design, powerful stump grinding attachments quickly shred stumps down to nothing. Easy maneuvering from stump to stump and increased visibility turns more ground stumps into more profit.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

MULTITASK TOOL
Your multipurpose tool for the ultimate multi-tasker is here. Engineered to grab tight to heavy materials and move them with ease and precision, the multi-task tool is your go-to for heavy applications. Easy to operate with convenient, functional levers.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

CORE DRILL
With the MC-450 coring attachment, utility maintenance is simple and less disruptive. Featuring intuitive controls and an integrated water tank, the MC-450 is the perfect choice for quick cuts and a more productive coring process. A fully adjustable 0 to 280 rpm speed allows for enhanced control and greater productivity.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

SOIL CULTIVATOR
Prepare food plots, gardens, and landscaping projects with a soil cultivator. It gets land ready by stirring organic material back in the soil for a healthier, more stable lawn. Buries the biggest of rocks for a looser topsoil.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BLADES
Whether you’re looking to increase dump height or digging depth, attaching a backfill blade is an easy way to save manpower on your jobsite while working with precision and timeliness. Available in various widths.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

AUGER DRIVER
Ideal for landscaping and tree care, an auger attachment will expedite hole creation and allow operators to quickly plant trees or install fence posts than if they were hand-digging or relying on a hand-held auger. Available in 6" to 30" diameters.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

TILLER
Tough and effective tillers prepare your garden by breaking up tough soil and removing unwanted weeds. Available in 4' width.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

GRAPPLES
Tree grapples come with 48" or 57" openings to efficiently remove logs and debris from the jobsite. It has an excavator style boom design with a powder coat finish and a cylinder lock for increased safety. Brush grapples available with a gap opening of 29" and widths of 42" or 54".
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SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

CARRY ALL LEVELER
One of our most simple yet versatile attachments, the Carry-All Leveler is perfect for carrying bulky material, leveling soil and adding a flat, smooth finish to your project. Available in 49" width.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BUCKETS

From landscaping and hardscapes to tree care and construction-grade tasks, your stand-on skid steer can take on more than you think. We've got you covered with a variety of buckets from 4-in-1 to heavy and light material buckets. Widths range from 34" to 66".

Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

PALLET FORKS
Take on your heaviest loads with precision and dependability with Ditch Witch pallet forks. They easily attach to any of our skid steers and can easily accessorize with hay spikes, brick guards, and much more to add even more ROI. Available in widths ranging from 36-48.75" and lengths from 36-48".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

MICROTRENCHER
Fiber installation and other street-located work is rapidly growing. A microtrenching attachment is key for operators looking to get into fiber installation at the street level. They cut both concrete and asphalt in controlled increments so contractors don't need to stop traffic. Maximum width options are 0.5-1.5” or 2” with maximum depths of 12” or 16”.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

ROTO WITCH®
The Ditch Witch Roto Witch® attachment is used for short bores underneath sidewalks, driveways and other obstacles. It offers great digging performance while minimizing jobsite restoration. Compatible with numerous Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers, the Roto Witch attachment can bore and backream up to 12" (300 mm) in diameter.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

PLOW
Install fiber and other utilities quickly with a vibratory plow attachment for your skid steer. It creates less ground disruption and cleanup than traditional trenching to get the job done faster. Available in maximum depths of 14" and 24".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

POWER RAKE
Clean, level and prep jobsites or smooth and loosen soil for sodding with a rake attachment. Most rake attachments require 10 to 14 gpm, but the higher horsepower creates even more drum torque to tear through the most demanding soil types. Width measures 4'.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

MICROTRENCHERS
Fiber installation and other street-located work is rapidly growing. A microtrenching attachment is key for operators looking to get into fiber installation at the street level. They cut both concrete and asphalt in controlled increments so contractors don't need to stop traffic. Maximum width options are 0.5-1.5” or 2” with maximum depths of 12” or 16”.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

ROTO WITCH®
The Ditch Witch Roto Witch® attachment is used for short bores underneath sidewalks, driveways and other obstacles. It offers great digging performance while minimizing jobsite restoration. Compatible with numerous Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers, the Roto Witch attachment can bore and backream up to 12" (300 mm) in diameter.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

PLOWS
Install fiber and other utilities quickly with a vibratory plow attachment for your skid steer. It creates less ground disruption and cleanup than traditional trenching to get the job done faster. Available in maximum depths of 14" and 24".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

TRENCHER

Stay efficient on large jobsites with a trencher attachment for your skid steer. It’s a smart alternative to large, specialized equipment for utility installation and landscaping jobs. Available in standard 6”, 8” and 12” maximum widths with maximum depths of 36", 38", 48” and 55.5”.

Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000