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Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 9:43 pm
by dependable
In the past I have posted how I divide large running bamboo divisions with pallet forks and a sawzall. Today I tried another technique, using a chain trencher attachment I got, mainly to install bamboo barrier, dig utilities, and trenches for driveway edging.

Decided to try the trencher dividing some P Bissettii I had to move. It worked great, separated and removed 6 pallet sized divisions in about a half an hour.

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 11:36 pm
by Alan_L
Awesome! There's a company that makes a handheld version of this sort of tool, and I often wondered how good it would be for rhizome pruning. Price is too high for me to find out. :)

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 3:08 pm
by needmore
That is what I would use to put in bamboo barrier if the run was long enough. When I looked into it in my area in Indiana they were charging around .75 per linear foot with a reasonable minimum. The cost seemed fine.

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 12:48 pm
by dependable
Not sure how a handheld one would work. There is a lot of force exerted, this unit has a 37 HP diesel, 14GPM hydraulics.

Renting or hiring would be the way to go for most people, the new machine and attachment cost almost $40K. It is amazing to me what you can rent, in some places. I think the chain trencher would be a good alternative to excavator for grove removal, that and the fork machine would take less of the soil/subsoil away.

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 2:01 pm
by David
That's a great looking machine, but way beyond my budget to purchase. Renting would be the way to go.

I tried the handheld chain trencher but it was unable to cut even medium sized rhizomes. The first one broke the drive mechanism on a 1" viridis rhizome. The company replaced it with a more durable model but it also broke. They seemed to cut tree roots just fine.

This is a young, strong person's machine. Even using the trencher with the optional cart was like being in a rodeo. I hurt for days after using these machines.

P.S. The company has great customer service, and in certain situations I can see how this would be the machine to use.

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 10:15 pm
by Alan_L
David wrote:...I tried the handheld chain trencher but it was unable to cut even medium sized rhizomes...
Good info David! Now I don't have to wonder anymore. :)

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 12:13 pm
by dependable
David wrote:That's a great looking machine, but way beyond my budget to purchase. Renting would be the way to go.
Yeah, the only reason I can buy these things is because it is my full time job. We use the tractor mainly for doing high end work in yards too small, or too fancy, to use a larger, heavier machine. We have stump grinder, rototiller, augers, log grapple, more attachments to come. Cost 4 times what we just paid for "new" family car.

Good labor is very hard to get here due to housing market. Some companies have large crews of undocumenteds living in garages, etc, I chose to go with a small, loyal, well paid and mechanized local local crew.

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 8:03 pm
by Alan_L
dependable wrote:... a small, loyal, well paid and mechanized local local crew.
Robots! :wink:
Seriously, I like your approach!

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 8:09 pm
by fredgpops
Electric jackhammers may work as well. Not sure if it's a cheaper option, however. Rgds

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 11:28 pm
by Russell69
Here is a link to a video of that handheld trencher being used for a root barrier installation with bamboo
https://youtu.be/KH3LlaWJFmY (Bamboo root barrier)

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2018 6:37 pm
by dependable
Here is another example of a chain trencher used in bamboo management. The same principal, but in this case the goal was primary to remove a stand, not divide for transplant.

This is a stand of Semi-Arundinaria fastuosa 'viridis'. Repeated culm death in cold snaps rendered this once fine stand into an eyesore. Decided to free up the space. I have more of the same variety elsewhere in a sheltered location that does better.

First, we cut down the culms with a chain saw. These culms are tough, otherwise I may have used a brush hog, but was afraid it would make a shredded mess.

As usual, I can only post 3 photos at a time, so here is installment 1.

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2018 6:46 pm
by dependable
The tough root mat divides into manageable chunks easily with trenching chain.

As always, remember to check for under ground utilities. This is my yard so I know it is OK.

This time I cut the sections into small enough pieces to be lifted with the pallet forks on the little machine, as was not trying to save for a planting.

Last picture is area with bamboo removed. Went around and picked up stray roots that might have had buds.

One more post to show finished area.

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2018 6:51 pm
by dependable
Ground the old stump with the handy stump grinder attachment for same machine.

Finished area with void filled in with loam/compost mix. Used the skid steer loader for that, as it is much faster.

Ready for next planting. Probably plant hop vine rhizomes (bines, they call them) in this spot.

The whole process took abound 4 or 5 hours.

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2018 8:20 pm
by Alan_L
So many things I like about this post. 1) Your soil looks nice! 2) your planting area is flat (not on a slope) 3) great machines! 4) Your 'Viridis' looked as bad as mine did . 5) You did the work in a reasonable temperature, not 90+ like I did. :lol:

No rocks in that soil either?

Re: Bamboo divisions with chain trencher

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 2:06 pm
by dependable
Alan, not too many rocks in this yard, but island is glacieral till, so some spots are quite rocky.