Microtrenching Tools Bring Added Benefit to Contractors

Featured in: Dig Different

For contractors looking to dig a small, shallow trench for fiber-optic lines leading to homes, using traditional digging methods can add time and additional cost to the project.

That’s where microtrenchers come in. Microtrenchers have a specialized saw that goes 16 inches, or less, into the ground. “The cut is more shallow and more narrow than what it would be with usual trenching equipment,” says Steve Seabolt, product manager for Ditch Witch. “The cut is also completed much faster.”

Microtrenchers are primarily used for installing fiber-optic lines to homes. These lines are thinner and do not go as deep as other utilities. “The telecommunications industry is definitely a big driver in using microtrenching,” says Seabolt.

Contractors are interested in microtrenchers since they provide another revenue stream. “It opens up a chance to get new jobs,” Seabolt says. “These machines are faster, quieter and less disruptive. With a traditional trenching system, you may also need a broom out there to help clean up the spoils.”

The cost of fiber line installation is a big selling point for contractors using microtrenchers, as the price-per-home to install a gigabyte internet connection can be excessive using traditional trenching methods.

The Cutting Tool

Saw blades are the key to what makes the microtrencher different than other trenching equipment. The small blades are designed to cut through asphalt or concrete, creating a trench in one quick pass. The smaller blade allows microtrenchers to trench in the public right-of-way next to curbs or gutters.

“When utility companies have to go in people’s yards, they get a lot of complaints, but if you can do it in the right-of-way, they do not need to worry about that,” Seabolt says. “Our blade has a tighter cut radius so operators can cut on a 90-degree street corner or go around a cul-de-sac.”

Ditch Witch’s MT12 has a floating saw shroud that follows the ground contour with constant pressure to help clean out the soil, producing a sharper-edged cut. The company offers several blades from standard carbide-tipped to its PDC with diamond embedded carbide. “Our microtrencher also has blades that can be easily changed out depending on the job,” he says. “Being able to quickly swap out the blades improves productivity.”

Vermeer’s microtrencher includes its Yellow Jacket cutter system that offers teeth with reversible edges, says Jason Zylstra, marketing manager for Vermeer. When an edge is worn, contractors can slip the tooth to access a new cutting edge to help lengthen tooth life and increase cutting time.

Vermeer’s rotary tooth configurations are compatible for wider cutting specifications and a shark tooth wheel is available for narrow cutting specifications.

Adding Other Tools

Microtrenchers include a hydraulic plunge to provide variable depth control, ranging from 6 to 12 inches, eliminating the need for contractors to manually adjust the equipment. They can also be manually tilted 6 degrees to the right or left, allowing contractors to maintain a true vertical trench on uneven surfaces.

Both Vermeer and Ditch Witch designed their microtrenchers to be part of a larger system that includes other equipment such as a tractor and vacuum system. Both have their advantage. With the tractor, the contractor is going to get more horsepower. “The more horsepower you have, the more strength available for the tough jobs,” Seabolt says. “The additional horsepower also provides more stability.”

Microtrenchers can also be fitted with an attachment that easily removes spoils from the work site. Vermeer’s cyclonic high cfm vacuum system is connected to the microtrencher with a 4-inch hose that simultaneously removes the material as it is cut, leaving a clean trench for placement of the fiber. Zylstra says it has a three-stage filtration system and can easily handle dry material.

Once the trench is dug, it is backfilled with a grout compound

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
Turn one machine into a multi-functional workhorse with versatile Ditch Witch® SK attachments. 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 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