Anyone own a ditch witch? Handy to have around?

JohnDeereJimOhio · Apr 23, 2014

Been looking for the next piece of equipment to buy. We have a dozer and loader tractors and would like to have something for digging projects. Mini excavators are really pricey, and don"t think I want a back hoe. Projects would be small digging out little creeks, putting in water lines around are farm.

Backhoes I"ve looked at are 4-8k
Mini excavators are 7-12k
I found a good diesel ditch witch that I know history on for 2k

Whatever I buy won"t be used a lot just when a project needs done any advice?

DeltaRed · Apr 23, 2014

Neighbor has an anchient DW with a V4 Wisconsin.Beat to crap.But they also USE the crap out of it.Have to jump start it all the time,but it just keeps going....

JMS/.MN · Apr 23, 2014

All depends on intended usage......they are limited in depth of trench as well as width. Wouldn"t work here for water lines.....frost dictates 6 foot depth. But for shallow lines, etc...sure beats digging. My $6K backhoe is well worth it- "70s Ford 4500 TLB.

MSS3020 · Apr 23, 2014

one of my next things is a 3 point backhoe..to put on my 3020.. just seems like that could be handy..

Mike M · Apr 23, 2014

Tell us more about the ditch witch ? Is it a trencher ? how wide and how deep ? and does it have a backhoe on it or a blade ?

My cousin bought one found one that did a 6" wide trench I think so he could put in field tile. Was cheaper without a backhoe then the ones with a hoe. Best to get one with a hoe if you don't already own a hoe.

Look at the photo ads on here. About a month ago now a fellow up in NY had a JD 400 TLB with a gas engine for a really good price. If I had the extra money I'd called on it. Those are as handy as a pocket on a shirt !

Anonymous-0 · Apr 23, 2014

I have a D W model 7020 diesel 4wd for sale

Nathan (SD) · Apr 23, 2014

I know a guy with a all options R40. He could stay busy just doing jobs with that. Bought it for his own use but everyone knows he has it.

I saw a R65 with a 8ft chain and front blade sell for $750 on a consignment auction. One job paid for that unit.

huntingreen2day2 · Apr 23, 2014

Depends on what type of ground that is in your area where you plan to use it. If it is real rocky forget it. If you buy an older model plan on working on it a lot. Good ground you can fly. Rocks, roots will slow you down or stop you. I have owned 3 trenchers all used.

jennifer408 · Apr 23, 2014

we got a ditch witch j20 off of cl a couple yrs ago for a good price. it was a rental and abused all it's life. we have fixed the issues as they came up. we still need to replace the bearings and seals in the pumpkins and seal on the shift stick and we are going to give her new shoes and rock cutting teeth to put her in tip top shape, we are also going to paint it burnt orange to get her all gussied up. we love it, it is a very stout machine, easy to work on, parts are easy to find and not expensive. we have a bunch of water lines and conduit to run but we also plan to use it to do several other task to help us with other projects going on around the homestead.

Pops1532 · Apr 24, 2014

While a ditch witch can be a handy piece of equipment, it wouldn't be suited to digging out little creeks even if you get one with a hoe. It might be ok for water lines. Depends on the ground (rocks, roots) and the depth.

Why don't you want a backhoe? They're pretty versatile machines.

W_B · Apr 24, 2014

Saw one like yours sell at a sale last fall for $1,250. If I had the money in my pocket I would have bought it. Handy thing the last time I had use of one.

Anyone own a ditch witch? Handy to have around?

JohnDeereJimOhio

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DeltaRed

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JMS/.MN

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MSS3020

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Mike M

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Anonymous-0

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Nathan (SD)

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