Trenching Machinery Used for the Construction of Trenches for Tile Drains Page: 3
This pamphlet is part of the collection entitled: USDA Farmers' Bulletins and was provided to UNT Digital Library by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
TRENCHING MACHINERY.
and drag-line machines designed for wide ditches, sometimes with
slight changes in the rigging to give better control of the bucket.
The largest machines of the third and fourth classes are adapted to
deeper and wider trenching than are those of the other classes.
In the following descriptions of the various types, the letters used
to designate the machines have been assigned arbitrarily by the
writer for convenient reference.
PLOWS AND SCOOPS.
This class of excavators has been made to include the smaller and
less expensive implements, which will be found economical for smaller
jobs than would warrant the purchase of the more costly machines.
Almost all the plows and scoops are lacking in any device for cutting
accurately to grade. Some handwork is necessary to make the
trench smooth for laying the tile properly. Many are limited in
depth of digging to 2 or 3 feet, which is not as deep as tile should be
laid in many places. Many of these implements are merely aids to
hand work, using animal
power only to loosen the
dirt. The main advantage
over the more elaborate
trenching machines is their
low cost. (See Farmers' Bul-
letin, No. 524, for informa-
tion on digging trenches for
small fields entailing hand
work.)
DITCHING PLOW A.
Perhaps one of the sim-
plest trenching devices is
the ditching plow shown inDitching plow
figure 1, which is used only to loosen the dirt in order that shovel-
ing may be easier. The U-shaped knife does most of the cutting;
the side knives just behind keep the sides of the trench vertical.
Each plowing cuts about 3 to 6 inches deep. The usual width of the
trench is about 12 inches, but the side knives may be spread to cut
16 inches wide. This plow weighs about 165 pounds and costs about
$20. Two horses and two men are used with it.
DITCHING PLOW B.
Figure 2 shows another ditching plow for merely loosening the soil.
The first furrow along the trench is made with an ordinary plow,
then the ditching implement is used. This plow has no moldboard,
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This pamphlet can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Pamphlet.
Yarnell, D. L. (David Leroy). Trenching Machinery Used for the Construction of Trenches for Tile Drains, pamphlet, 1915; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc96369/m1/3/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.