7116 attachment for trenching to run wire

[Jim J]

I have to trench from house to shed for electric wiring. Is there an attachment I can use if any to make it deep enough?? Trying not to rent a trenching machine. Thanks 

[PhanDad]

There was a trencher for the older Simplicity and Allis tractors and I would think it would mount on your 7116.  Here's a few posts from this site:

https://simpletractors.com/research/allis-chalmers/b-attachments/trencher/flyer-1/

https://simpletractors.com/videos/view-57-groundsaw-trencher-brief-test-on-a-1964-landlord/

https://simpletractors.com/forums/topic/24314-b-10-with-trencher/?tab=comments#comment-24317

There are more posts; just put "trencher" in the "Search" box at the top right of the screen and you'll find many.

But between finding one and the cost, I'm sure renting one is the way to go.

 

[rbstuartjr]

How deep does the trench need to be? I know a few farmers that just ran a single bottom plow furrow deep, then flipped the sod back over. 

[RickS]

I had to bury an electrical wire along my driveway. I had a one point hitch and used that along with two locking collars and a piece of rebar. Drove the rebar not the ground through the hole in the one point hitch. Put the locking collars above and below the hitch. Then drove the tractor forward. The rebar created a narrow trench allowing me to bury the wire. 

Worked like a charm.

Rick 

[GWGAllisfan]

8 hours ago, RickS said:

I had to bury an electrical wire along my driveway. I had a one point hitch and used that along with two locking collars and a piece of rebar. Drove the rebar not the ground through the hole in the one point hitch. Put the locking collars above and below the hitch. Then drove the tractor forward. The rebar created a narrow trench allowing me to bury the wire. 

Worked like a charm.

Rick 

Your soil must be  softer than the ground around my house.

If I tried that on the hard ground at my house I think I could get started, go inside have a sandwich and a nap and the tractor would be right where I left it ( except for maybe digging the wheels in) when I came back! 

Every time I need to dig a hole on dry areas it's  a struggle.

[GregB]

Depth is all a matter of code, and what you are burying.  Around here underground feed cable needs to be at least 2 feet deep.  Shallower if it is in conduit, or low voltage.

Rent the trencher, and make sure you call the local utilities "before you dig" phone number.  Just in case something is already there.

[steve-wis]

I ran a line out to my back garage a few years ago, think it was 6-3 with ground, direct burial.  I ran my single bottom plow first, got the first 6 inches or so.  Then I picked and shoveled the rest, got it at least a foot and in most places 18 inches deep, then buried it and turned the furrow back over with the sod to cover it.  I went about 60 feet in hard clay, it was a real workout.  If I were going to do it again, I would spend the  and rent a walk behind trencher, around here they go about $75 a day.

 

Steve

[RickS]

The only reason I was able to use rebar to create a trench was I did it alongside my driveway. If I tried that anywhere else I would not have been able to.

[rich_kildow]

If there is a powered one, you'll spend more on it than many trencher rentals.  If it is just something you'll pull, the 7116 isn't going to cut it.  I've got pure sand once you get through the 8-10" of soil, and there is just no way my 7116 (or the 7122) would be able to get enough traction to do it.  You may be surprised just how cheap a 4 hour rental is on a trencher, and it goes fast.  Get it and while you're at it, lay wire, hose, PVC to pull through, anywhere you could ever want it.

[AllisChalmers716]

Don’t quote me but if you are only running a small wire I believe my dad said you put a chainsaw chain on backwards and dig a small trench. If you were to try this I would use a junk chain just to be safe.

-Tommy 

[PGL]

3 hours ago, AllisChalmers716 said:

Don’t quote me but if you are only running a small wire I believe my dad said you put a chainsaw chain on backwards and dig a small trench. If you were to try this I would use a junk chain just to be safe.

-Tommy 

Probably not so good for the bar or insides of the saw (dirt and sand) but sounds like it should work if you have an old bar too and can clean the saw up after.a short run.