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 | activeirrigation
Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4 myrtle beach, sc 
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2004-08-28 94816
Hey everyone.
I'm an irrigation contractor and need to be able to trench 2-1/2" wide by 8" deep over long distances (some subdivision entrances can total almost 3/4 of a mile). I'm in Myrtle Beach, SC so I mostly trench in dirt/sand or gumbo clay. (very few rocks but some healthy roots)
I have a craftsman GT5000 garden tractor with a 27 hp engine and extra heavy duty manual transmission. I'm thinking of mounting the Bolton power equipment 3 pt PTO trencher on an Agri-Fab 3 point trailer and towing it behind the tractor. The trailer has a winch to raise and lower the trencher. The trencher requires at lease 21hp at the PTO turning at either 540 or 1000 rpm.
I think that I could mount an engine with some type of clutch mechanism (or hydraulics?) to take the place of a tractor's PTO.
I don't have a lot of knowledge as to engines, transmissions, hydraulics, etc so what I need to know is this:
If an ordinary engine turning at 3600 rpm is rated at 4hp will it achieve 24hp if it's geared down to 600 rpm (standard 6:1 reduction available from most engine manufacturers)It seems to me that it should based on the formula: HP = Torque X (RPM/63025); and
What would be the best way to connect the 3 pt trencher implement to the engine (belts, geared clutch, hydraulics, etc).
I sure would appreciate any help anyone can give me.
Thanks
Gene
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 | oneace
Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1490 south central pa 
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2004-08-28 94844
I think you are opening a can of worms. There are too many factors to consider. My advice: Ditch the craftsman and get a true tractor. The less head ache in trying to make some thing work the better, then that equals more money in your pock in the long run. ....
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 | shortmagnum
Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 848 Wisconsin 
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2004-08-30 94952
You are increasing the torque when you gear down by a factor of six because you are increasing the force available. But this increased force is available over a decreased rotational distance so HP stays the same (minus extra mechanical losses). Horsepower is energy (1 HP ~ 750 Watts) and energy is conserved in all cases.
Dave ....
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 | earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan 
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2004-09-01 95293
I'm with Oneace. I'm an excavating contractor. That trailer thing doesn't have enough weight to it to keep the trencher bar down; I own a ride-on 4x4 Case trencher with a cutting bar 8" wide that weighs 6,000lb. and I have been nearly thown off it when the cutting bar hit an obstruction (it bounces up and down). For the time you put in writing your question :) you could have rented a trencher for a couple hundred bucks---or if you do this work often drop $3000 and buy a viratory plow pipe puller or even a small Ditchwitch or Vermeer trencher. ....
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 | Ducati996
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 347 New York
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2004-09-01 95309
This will sound harsh but you might want to look professional and have the right professional equipment and tools to do the job. Showing up with a Craftsman to do trenching is amaturish, and I bet would bring extra scrutiny on your capabilites as a contractor...its your business and image that should be taken into account...
Duc ....
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 | beagle
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1333 Michigan
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2004-09-01 95316
You will spend more time and money dealing with the issues you are creating than you would getting set up with the right equipment. There are several issues with your plan that need to be considered:
Your manual transmission may not move at the creep rate you need for the trencher. A couple good obstructions on the trencher will probably ace the transmission in the Craftsmen.
A secondary gas engine with a 21hp gear reduction box is going to cost you a couple thousand bucks. Add in mounts, couplings, etc., you see where this is going.
The trecher is going to bounce that trailered 3pt get-up like a cinched bronco.
Sounds like a fun science fair project, but probably not a money maker. Get the right piece of equipment to do the job SAFELY. As a previous poster already mentioned, approach this professionally, it will make your money back.
Trust me when I say that I don't mean this to sound negative, but there is an annual Ruge Goldberg (sp?)competition that your set-up might be a winner at. There is an American fascination with the creative and inventive mind that pulls pieces together into a working mechanism. You seem to have one of those minds.
But, SAFETY first. Have Fun. ....
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