Hands-On HDD Training Prepares Accu-Bore Operators for Success

Utility projects are on the rise across the country. With the overwhelming demand to replace and maintain our aging infrastructure, employing more horizontal directional drill (HDD) operators has become a priority. Yet, as with many industrial markets today, the underground construction industry is experiencing a shortage of qualified skilled and confident operators and experiencing a growth of novice operators being employed to fill the gap. And furthermore, technology is advancing, challenging experienced operators to keep current to stay productive on HDD jobsites.

To combat the issue, contractors and equipment manufacturers have taken it upon themselves to offer comprehensive training programs that prepare both novice and experienced operators for today’s evolving underground utility jobs.

Comprehensive training prepares novice and experienced operators

For Accu-Bore Directional Drilling, a California-based underground utility installation and rehabilitation company, operating HDD equipment is a staple capability. The 250 employees specializing in gas and electric infrastructure replacement jobs must be prepared to conquer a variety of soil conditions from bay mud to cobble. While having the right equipment in-house has contributed to their success, Accu-Bore employees have also found training vital.

New operators at Accu-Bore devote more than a month getting acclimated to the company’s safety protocol and equipment before operating by themselves. New employees often begin their training with online courses offered through the Ditch Witch® Certified HDD Training Program. But, their full training process encompasses a mix of online, classroom and hands-on jobsite training offered through the local Ditch Witch dealership in Central California.

“When new employees are trained by the manufacturing representative, we’re more confident in their ability to operate the equipment on a real jobsite,” said Mike Robirds, president of Accu-Bore. “We have a strong relationship with the Ditch Witch organization, trust them and look to them to get our crews ready for a range of jobs. On top of covering the textbook essentials, training includes a simulation course where our operators can negotiate potential hazards similar to those they will inevitably deal with in the field, providing more confidence prior to starting on a machine.”

The hands-on training center built outside the Ditch Witch facility features a drill and several obstacles to represent a real jobsite. Mike Anderson, general manager of the Ditch Witch California Region, works with operators to identify underground utilities using damage prevention methods with electronics and vacuum excavators and practice applying the equipment in a safe environment.

“In the utility construction business, no two jobs are alike. Understanding the equipment and potential jobsite challenges is imperative,” said Robirds. “We’re seeing better prepared employees going into the field since working with Mike Anderson and his team on this more comprehensive training.”

Longstanding partnership offers guidance and support

“Our partnership with the Ditch Witch organization has helped the company stay ahead of industry trends and updated on technology advancements,” said Robirds. As new equipment is rolled out, Accu-Bore employees work directly with the dealership representatives to understand new capabilities and determine how it can impact their business.

“Even the feedback I’ve received from our experienced operators has been great. After spending a day with the Ditch Witch representatives, guys who have been in the industry for more than 20 years return excited to show me what they learned and how we’re able to apply it to improve our processes,” said Robirds. “That’s a testament to the relationship we have.”

Robirds and his team are constantly working to stay ahead of the curve. When they implement a new process or new equipment, jobsite support is crucial. After all, having the right equipment is important, but knowing how to use it effectively is essential.

For more information on the Ditch Witch Certified Training Program, please visit https://www.ditchwitch.com/training.

Ditch Witch is a trademark of The Charles Machine Works, Inc.

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".
Compatible Models

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