Innovation
Ditch Witch MT13 MicroTrencher much reduces damage to roads
positions such as brick and mortar
preparation and building, or even
as an operator of the Ditch Witch.
“On smaller construction sites,
it is still possible to use a Ditch
Witch and contractors should plan
carefully to find a hire company
that has a Ditch Witch in stock and
hire it for the foundation work.
Machine hire for one day is far
cheaper than paying wages. In
addition, the workers can rather
be put to work in the actual
construction of the house albeit
“fetch-and-carry” or preparation
work
as
understudies
to
builders,” says Keith.
Infrastructural mind shift
Phillip McCallum, ELB Equipment
product manager agrees, adding
that in the course of modernising
the building site, the Ditch Witch
RT-45 has far wider applications
where it can equally revolutionise
the way work is currently being
carried out on applications such
as laying of water, electric, fibre
optics and gas utilities. These can
also be done more quickly and
accurately with a Ditch Witch.
“At this moment, there is massive
call for trenches to be dug to lay
fibre optics and with the addition of
a Ditch Witch, contractors can lay
more meters per day with a single
machine, with less mess than an
entire crew of 30 hardworking men
can do in a day’s work. In addition,
it can even be set to cut narrow
trenches (about half the width of a
spade) which minimises disruption
of sidewalks and pathways etc.
If the need arises the Ditch Witch
selection includes a range of
different machines for a wide
range trenching requirements
including
small
pedestrian
trenches from 16-30hp, as well as
ride on / heavy duty trenches from
40-120hp,” says Phillip.
He concludes that Ditch Witch has
a long and proven track record in
Southern Africa where it has been
distributed and supported by ELB
Equipment for more than 25 years.
“It is good to know the product
has a reliable track record locally
and enjoys some of the best
aftermarket care and support from
our in-house team of experts at
ELB Equipment. But finding out
which solution would best help
your next project move faster,
more accurate, profitable and
smoother it would always be best
to speak to a specialist about your
requirement first.”
Minimizing road disruptions
A new micro trenching system available from ELB Equipment allows utilities to be laid below the road
surface with only minimal disruption of the road surface.
The Ditch Witch MT12 MicroTrencher is a fast and precise attachment system which is designed to
reduce damage to the road and avoid lengthy traffic disruptions. It’s specially designed saw blades
are designed to quickly and precisely cut asphalt surfaces to a preset depth to allow fibre and other
utilities to be laid above existing utilities. The cleanness of the cut and ability to cut narrow trenches
enables the contractors to rapidly repair the surface and reopen roads in a fraction of the usual time.
With variable depth settings and the ability to maintain exact levels the new system prevents uneven
installations that may reduce the efficiency of utilities being laid. In addition to crossing roads
the MT12 can also be used to trench 610mm transversely in order to be able to trench parallel to
kerbs and gutters.
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SABI | APRIL / MAY 2017