Unpredictable Urban Terrain Tamed by ADB Companies

Ditch Witch All Terrain technology provides the performance required to drill in challenging urban environments

For utility construction companies, urban environments can pose more challenges than the hardest rock. That’s because buried remnants of the past often lie beneath city streets, creating an unpredictable patchwork of natural and man-made terrain.

Those drilling complications are compounded by the ever-increasing demand for faster, digital-broadband capabilities, putting constant pressure on fiber-cable installers to get jobs done on time and on budget.

Missouri-based ADB Companies Inc. (ADB) faced these difficulties firsthand with the installation of 1,800 feet of fiber cables beneath a downtown St. Louis business complex. ADB has nearly two decades of underground-utility experience across 36 states. That expertise and the industry’s unparalleled equipment and technology helped them overcome the obstacles encountered beneath America’s “Gateway City.”

Drilling Through the Past

St. Louis has been a cornerstone of commerce since French explorers established it as a fur-trading post in 1764. The city was incorporated in 1823, and became a popular destination for people looking for a better life on the edge of America’s frontier.

Ensuing generations built the city’s infrastructure, creating an underground web to accommodate utility services to homes and businesses. Many of those structures have since been replaced by more modern construction, but some debris stayed behind and became part of the underground landscape.

Such obstacles weren’t apparent when ADB began the St. Louis project. In fact, the job seemed routine.

“This project was supposed to be quick—in and out,” said Tony Webb, vice president, ADB Companies Inc. “We soon discovered that wouldn’t be the case.”

The initial plans called for ADB to bore under a parking lot between two buildings, presumably through hard soil and rock. But bore samples showed they’d need to change the scope of their initial drilling plans. Down through each layer, ADB encountered granite, concrete and old building debris in their path in addition to hard rock.

Building regulations became another hitch. Restrictions on the surrounding structures precluded ADB from cutting or altering the parking lot in any way. The project required an 800-foot continuous bore, limiting the type of equipment necessary to accomplish the job.

Versatility of All Terrain Technology

For more predictable excavations, ADB turns to the Ditch Witch JT2020 horizontal directional drill. However, they clearly needed a more powerful alternative for this project.

“The JT2020 is our go-to drill,” Webb explained. “But we chose the JT3020 All Terrain to tackle this project because of its superior performance in difficult conditions.” The JT3020 All Terrain is a powerful and compact, utility-class drill capable of installing product in a variety of soil conditions. The compact size and quiet operation make the machine ideal for applications in noise-sensitive residential areas.

The patented, All Terrain technology uses a dual-pipe drilling system with an inner rod specifically designed for drilling precision, control and efficiency in solid rock, fractured rock or other hard, underground formations. The system delivers the maximum available power to the downhole tool to get through any soil or rock condition, without using any additional drilling fluid like conventional equipment. 

Armed with the right drill for the right terrain, ADB completed the continuous bore in three days without disturbing the surrounding structures. “The JT3020 gave us the widest selection of power and versatility that we needed to overcome the difficulties we faced.”

“Without Ditch Witch technology, the fiber installation would not have been accomplished with the same productivity and performance,” Webb added. “Our partnership with Ditch Witch ensures we are successful with every project. They know what it means to be profitable and productive.” With the right partner and the right equipment, the work of tomorrow can successfully navigate the challenges of the past.

Beyond the Drill: The Partnership

ADB owns and operates a fleet of more than 45 Ditch Witch drills, with more than 10 All Terrain units to conquer the most challenging, underground terrain. The company has relied on Ditch Witch equipment since 2005, when the company switched its service from another equipment manufacturer.

“We had some hesitancy from operators when we first introduced our new fleet of Ditch Witch equipment,“ said DeLayne Black, vice president, fleet manager ADB Companies. “But once operators began using the technology, we received nothing but positive feedback about the ease of use and efficiency of the new drills.”

“Additionally, the service and support of the Ditch Witch organization is unmatched,” adds DeLayne Black. ADB works closely with the Ditch Witch Sales Inc. dealership with a branch location in Sullivan, Missouri. “The dealership is extremely responsive. They understand if our machines aren’t running properly, we aren’t profitable,” said Black. “They treat us as more than just a customer—we’re in a partnership with 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

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