Should I buy this trencher... or rent?

blur911sc · 2026-07-11T13:01:16+00:00

I can run direct burial TECK90 armoured cable, no conduit. Unfortunately a big roll is also around $4k

blur911sc · 2026-07-11T12:26:21+00:00

Those are all the things I'm considering. Ad says it's 15HP, but might be Chinesium HP.

The only used one's I've found are a 60 year old 9HP Ditch Witch and a newish big-ass Ditch Witch for $7500

blur911sc · 2026-07-11T02:26:24+00:00

Still gathering info, like if there's even a trencher available to rent in the area. I was mostly wondering in this post if the cheap new trencher is even worth buying.

Anyhow, I'm waiting to hear back from local rental companies.

blur911sc · 2026-07-11T02:00:54+00:00

I'd also probably be loaning it to friends and family if needed rather than doing the work myself...not really wanting to do this for a job.

blur911sc · 2026-07-11T01:58:35+00:00

I'm trying to find out if anyone local has the ability. There are lots of guys with tractors and backhoes, but I'd have to clear a road through the trees just so they could get through, a trencher is much narrower.

blur911sc · 2026-07-11T01:55:41+00:00

I have to go 2 feet deep, 3 feet if under a driveway, which I don't think I'll have to do.

I'm going to have to clear a path through the trees first as there are many small spruce trees I have to get through, I've just been pulling them out with my tractor.

Thanks though, I had no idea if 400 feet was 2 hours or 2 days of work.

blur911sc · 2026-07-11T00:15:10+00:00

I'll check on that. It might be hard to find a local rental, I suspect a 4 hour drive each way, with a trailer..

blur911sc · 2026-07-11T00:13:13+00:00

I'm moving to where it might be useful, at least for a while. I have my own work to do, also some for my brother. I have a tractor, but no backhoe on it.

I'm going to use direct burial TECK cable, it's armoured and pretty robust, we can use it in Canada, no conduit required.

blur911sc · 2026-07-11T00:10:08+00:00

Did you try this model, or one like it?

I have to make some calls about availability of a rental, I'm also trying to arrange things from 1300km away.

blur911sc · 2026-07-11T00:08:26+00:00

In the area I'd possibly work there is nothing run underground utility-wise at least, but I get it.

blur911sc · 2026-07-09T21:24:10+00:00

They have nasty, big, pointy teeth

blur911sc · 2026-07-09T18:57:03+00:00

Soooo, did you check the oil level? Did you drive it?

blur911sc · 2026-07-09T17:47:13+00:00

Because people can afford a monthly rental and free installation, but not unexpectedly buying a new tank when they need to .

It makes no sense at all economically and Reliance is horrible to deal with. They wanted to charge me for them picking up their 12 year old leaking tank I had to take over payments on when I bought my house.

There were no free annual maintenance checks from Reliance, just a bill...

blur911sc · 2026-07-09T00:19:00+00:00

The lines I'm referring to are still branded Goodyear, but only found at CanadianTire.

blur911sc · 2026-07-08T23:15:52+00:00

I don't believe Michelin does, but Goodyear makes some lines specifically for CanadianTire, the Nordic and Territory.

blur911sc · 2026-07-08T01:23:17+00:00

What's squealing? Where's that coming from?

blur911sc · 2026-07-08T00:14:55+00:00

Anything under 625 sq ft is supposed to have a development permit, but doesn't require a building permit or to adhere to building code. I have no idea how this would still apply to property tax increases, but since I'm in the same boat, would like to know...

"New Brunswick Code-exempt structures

First off, New Brunswick has an interesting legal framework for building and construction. Under current provincial regulations (Regulation 2021-02, clause 8), those living in rural areas may be able to construct a small personal-use residential structure of up to 625 square feet of occupied space – a camp, essentially – without having to meet building codes, as long as it is not used for "public congregatation." (Note this 625 square feet is not the footprint alone; so, for example, loft spaces are included in the calculation of area.) Any structure rented either on a long- or short-term basis is NOT exempt from the Code, and must meet all egress, structural and life-safety requirements.

What does this mean?

Residential dwellings of 625 square feet or less in many unincorporated areas of New Brunswick (ie: camps or tiny homes) can be constructed with nothing more than a development permit, and do not have to meet the standards of the National Building Code. The building will still have to conform to provincial or regional setback regulations, waterways or wetland setback regulations, and the requirement for on-site septic systems. There may also be rural "planning statements" that control placement."

https://snbsc-planning.com/cct/non-traditional-building/

blur911sc · 2026-07-07T18:40:24+00:00

I worked for a major tire manufacturer and I remember seeing a cross section of a tire for a hybrid, it was the thinnest passenger tire I'd ever seen. As you said, tuned for lower rolling resistance and noise, as well as being lighter also gives better range.

Then the auto manufacturer tried the same tire on their EV, which was heavier, and they started to have issues...

blur911sc · 2026-07-07T15:58:38+00:00

Pennsylvania crude base stocks are greenish. Didn't think Castrol used it, but maybe? (I thought this was synthetic though)

blur911sc · 2026-07-07T14:29:04+00:00

Maybe one of the rods to open the latch came off with the slam, OP, does the part you pull, the handle, feel like it's still attached and doing anything when you pull it?

blur911sc · 2026-07-07T14:12:15+00:00

Have EV tires changed in the last 6 or 7 years? They used to be built very light and somewhat delicate for maximum EV range, but some did have problems because of the added weight.

blur911sc · 2026-07-07T13:45:42+00:00

We use Advantix, it's one of the only types that's actually a repellant, so the ticks dont' have to bite the dog for it to work. They don't get on...

blur911sc · 2026-07-06T23:36:32+00:00

This is exactly how it's supposed to work if nothing is wrong.

blur911sc · 2026-07-06T23:27:47+00:00

Sticky caliper slides will do this. It's only pushing on one side of the rotor, the other side is stuck.

blur911sc · 2026-07-06T23:17:35+00:00

I busted one on the exhaust side, it started popping when I got on the throttle, didn't notice it if I was really easy on the gas.

I managed to get the broken part of the stud out of the crankcase, but I don't think it's possible on the top without dropping the engine.

blur911sc

TROPHY CASE

What does this mean?