Similar Designed Drills Are Helping Contractors With Workforce Training

By Cory Maker (Product Manager, Ditch Witch Division)
From Dig Different

When utility contractors talk about their biggest horizontal directional drilling (HDD) pain points, the workforce shortage is consistently near the top of the list.

Due to the lack of available workers, HDD contractors must run fewer crews and are forced to adhere to tighter timelines as they move from one job site to the next. Some contractors even report having the work demand to staff up to six more underground construction crews. But with no one to operate their machines, they can’t take on the jobs, which results in missed revenue opportunities.

To combat this issue, manufacturers are focusing their efforts on improving equipment to help ease the strain of the workforce shortage and increase job site efficiency. One way that manufacturers are supporting the workforce is through maintaining machine design and consistency across contractors’ HDD fleets. Here are examples of how machine commonality is helping boost productivity, reduce downtime and increase overall return on investment (ROI).

REDUCE TRAINING TIME

HDD operators know that training and safety are essential to the success of an underground operation. Before boots can even hit the ground, crews should have received some form of operator training on the machines they’ll be piloting.

Training provides the tools and techniques necessary to complete a variety of underground construction projects and is imperative in keeping crews safe. However, as the HDD industry continues to evolve, so do the machines.

Some drills are redesigned to feature boosted power while others offer increased stability and maneuverability for compact job sites. But regardless of the upgrades, contractors are looking for machines that are easy to learn and operate, and don’t require ongoing training — especially with the workforce shortage constricting operators’ time. That is why manufacturers are increasingly designing their drills with commonality in mind.

By maintaining commonality across their machine fleets, manufacturers create a familiar working environment for operators so that they don’t have to spend an overwhelming amount of time learning a different drill. This saves operators unwarranted downtime and reduces the risk of operators damaging a drill because they used the wrong machine function. Simply put, if operators are trained on one drill, then they fundamentally can operate them all.

DIFFERENT JOB, DIFFERENT MACHINE, SAME CONTROLS

The demand for underground work is increasing across applications, 5G installation is booming and demand for residential work like irrigation installation is also at a high. With underground contractors facing job requests from multiple sources — and workforce challenges reducing the number of crews they can run — jumping from job to job quickly is a common occurrence in today’s market.

And to further complicate matters, contractors know that different jobs often require different drills. While a large drill may be a fit for fiber installation, installing an irrigation line is an entirely different beast and will require a smaller drill. Common drill designs help reduce confusion and allow workers to hop on different machines at different job sites and work without any hesitation.

For example, the Ditch Witch JT28 is one of the most powerful mid-size drills the company offers, but it has the same interface and control scheme as the JT5 — the most compact drill that Ditch Witch manufactures. The same operator can use both drills without having to learn a whole new system.

Aside from controls and electronic interfaces, some manufacturers offer the same drill operation across their pipe and tooling, features, operator platform and overall machine design. This helps operators feel more comfortable and confident moving from one drill to the next and minimizes any downtime spent learning a new drill. With the ability to move from drill to drill, operators can bid on more projects, boosting the overall ROI of the job site.

SIMPLIFY MAINTENANCE

Common drill designs also can simplify required downtime work like maintenance. And by keeping industry standards and best practices consistent across machines, manufacturers are putting contractors in a position for success.

Operators can quickly identify when a machine needs to be serviced or engage in daily maintenance requirements as they switch from one machine to the next, which helps keep the equipment safe, productive and efficient. To facilitate this, many manufacturers develop machines with easy-to-understand service manuals, proper tooling guidelines and equipment best practices that are easy to follow on any machine.

With more simplified maintenance routines and consistent system controls across drills, operators can also reduce the impact of downtime. For example, Ditch Witch directional drills are designed with no daily service points besides the need to check for fuel and oil, helping to minimize upkeep tasks. And with daily maintenance points found in one easy-to-access location across all directional drills, operators don’t have to spend valuable time on maintenance routines.

SOLVING THE INDUSTRY’S ACHILLES’ HEEL

HDD manufacturers are constantly innovating to keep up with industry standards and best practices. And by maintaining machine design and consistency, they can help operators reduce the amount of time spent on training and maintenance and seamlessly transition from one machine to the next. This will help contractors break into new industries and confidently take on more jobs, which is especially important since there is no shortage of work — just a shortage of workers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

Cory Maker is the HDD product manager for Ditch Witch. 

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