DIY Ride-on Irrigation Trencher

[Toolmaker51]

Sharpshooter?? Not at today's ammo prices.......

[old kodger]

My only question is, whilst the vid showed installation of the pipe, and that clearly works, where does all the dirt coming out of the trench go when making the trench to start with?

[Gadgeteer]

old kodger
My only question is, whilst the vid showed installation of the pipe, and that clearly works, where does all the dirt coming out of the trench go when making the trench to start with?


That's a good question, which I plan to explain and show in further detail in another video, as soon as the ground thaws, which will demonstrate how to install sprinklers from start to finish.

I, first, determine where I want to insert the sprinklers, and indicate where I want to place the connecting pipe by laying string along the route. Then, I follow the string, using an edge trimmer to bust through the grass roots, which leaves a shallow trench to follow with the sled. Following this, I lay a soaker hose along the route, and let water soak the route for about 20 minutes. This turns the dry dirt to mud, which is easier for the trenching knife to cut through. When the knife is pulled through the mud the dirt is not removed, it is just pushed to the sides. After the pipe is pulled through the trench the slit just fills in by itself, leaving very little evidence that the soil has been disturbed. Attached video shows the results of this method after a few weeks... most of the cut has healed all by itself. And, I didn't have to dig, or remove (or replace) any dirt to make the trench!

I tried to add a video of the sprinklers working, but couldn't get it to load. So, here is a photo of a "healed" trench.