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Thread: DIY Ride-on Irrigation Trencher

  1. #1
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    DIY Ride-on Irrigation Trencher

    For too many years I have been considering adding additional sprinklers to the underground irrigation system that came with the property. Since I, really, hate to move dirt by digging, I have not been very eager to accomplish the task. Then, one day last summer, I was shopping for metal at a local welding shop, and spotted a large piece in the discard barrel. I knew, immediately, what I could turn it into, as I had been waiting for decades for it to show up. So, I took it home, and with a few modifications, it transformed into a useful tool. I, first, set the knife to depth (8" to 12"), and cut to depth. Then, I return to the start, and pull in the pipe. I steer the sled by weight transfer on the "ailerons." The long T-handle provides sufficient leverage to, easily, rip through any roots that are encountered.

    I failed to find a shapely young lass in a bikini to demo the trencher, so had to settle for the old guy... sorry!

    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails DIY Ride-on Irrigation Trencher-ride-trencher.png  

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    Last edited by Gadgeteer; Feb 26, 2022 at 01:40 AM.

  2. The Following 16 Users Say Thank You to Gadgeteer For This Useful Post:

    asterix (Mar 1, 2022), baja (Mar 1, 2022), benkeller3 (Feb 28, 2022), clydeman (Feb 28, 2022), cmarlow (Feb 28, 2022), Corm (Mar 1, 2022), emu roo (Feb 28, 2022), Inflight (Feb 28, 2022), Jon (Feb 28, 2022), nova_robotics (Feb 28, 2022), quezz38 (Mar 10, 2022), Ralphxyz (Nov 11, 2024), rlm98253 (Feb 28, 2022), Sleykin (Mar 1, 2022), Tooler2 (Mar 6, 2022), Toolmaker51 (Mar 1, 2022)

  3. #2
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    Thanks Gadgeteer! We've added your Ride On Trencher to our Farm and Garden category,
    as well as to your builder page: Gadgeteer's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:




    2,000+ Tool Plans

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to DIYer For This Useful Post:

    Gadgeteer (Mar 4, 2022)

  5. #3
    Supporting Member desbromilow's Avatar
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    Gadgeteer - how does the winch handle the work load? Does the winch drive heat up for those long pulls, or does it handle it OK?

  6. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by desbromilow View Post
    Gadgeteer - how does the winch handle the work load? Does the winch drive heat up for those long pulls, or does it handle it OK?
    I have checked the winch for heat, and so far, it has not heated over the expected slight warming from normal use. It is the smallest ATV winch from HF, similar to the one I used for my powercaster, a few decades ago.

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    Supporting Member baja's Avatar
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    Great idea...I built a tool similar to that a few years back but pulled it with the winch on my truck. It has since been upgraded to being used on the 3pt hitch on my tractor.

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    Gadgeteer (Mar 4, 2022)

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    Supporting Member Toolmaker51's Avatar
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    Brilliant idea. Safe bet less effort to build than trench by hand, and tool is ready to use again. The clip on wheels to cart it off, icing on the cake.
    Sincerely,
    Toolmaker51
    ...we'll learn more by wandering than searching...

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    Gadgeteer (Mar 4, 2022)

  11. #7

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    I LOVE the ape hangers! You need a "straight pipe" on either side & a tall sissy bar behind a 'king/queen' seat! ��

  12. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Wildwilly For This Useful Post:

    drivermark (Mar 5, 2022), Gadgeteer (Mar 4, 2022)

  13. #8
    Jon
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    Congratulations Gadgeteer - your Trencher is the Homemade Tool of the Week!

    A clear win this week, and a great use of weight and leverage to turn an onerous task into an easy one.

    Some more good builds from this week:

    Shop-Vac Micro Attachment by projectswithrich
    Magnetic Chuck by neilg4dbn
    Hydraulic Tube Bender by warsztatOdZera
    Cordless Tool Vacuum Cleaner Starter by Dr.Al
    Chain Clamp by orioncons36
    Clamp by Rustinox
    ER40 Hex Collet Block by ttmrj
    ER40 Square Collet Block by ttmrj
    Tap Handle by Improvised DIY
    Motorcycle Lift by Metalgeria
    Hose Pinching Clamp by projectswithrich
    Splinter Tweezers by projectswithrich
    Transformer Mounting Brackets by Frank S
    Dowel Jig by Daturat100r
    Bar Stock Bender by Marsh
    Bench Grinder Stand by trevor_60_r
    Ratchet Handle by diy creative crafts
    Electric Wheelbarrow by Kwandotechnic


    Gadgeteer - we've added tool entry to our All Homemade Tool of the Week winners post. And, you'll now notice the wrench-on-pedestal award in the awards showcase in your postbit, visible beneath your username:



    And, you'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon (US-only), PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and award choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

    Nice work!

  14. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Jon For This Useful Post:

    Gadgeteer (Mar 4, 2022), Nitrous (Nov 11, 2024)

  15. #9
    Supporting Member Toolmaker51's Avatar
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    I'll agree worthy, it's of Tool Of The Week.
    But how, with 19 other entries listed, and 17,163 different forum members, is there only 12 "Thanks"?
    Jon, I'd suggest a page of instructions or some means to increase participation. Might be idle forum legacy members? Seems a slam-dunk the paying crowd would be all over this stuff.
    Sincerely,
    Toolmaker51
    ...we'll learn more by wandering than searching...

  16. The Following User Says Thank You to Toolmaker51 For This Useful Post:

    Gadgeteer (Mar 4, 2022)

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    Supporting Member Frank S's Avatar
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    Don't see how I missed this one. A great solution for a laboriously back straining job when having to use a trenching shovel or sharpshooter as we called them
    Never try to tell me it can't be done
    When I have to paint I use KBS products

  18. The Following User Says Thank You to Frank S For This Useful Post:

    Gadgeteer (Mar 4, 2022)

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