The Ditch Witch organization announces the release of the Ditch Witch MT12 MicroTrencher, which is designed to quickly and cleanly slice through asphalt to create trenches into which fiber-optic cable can be installed.
Using specially designed and manufactured saw blades, the Ditch Witch MT12 cuts through asphalt to create the ideal trench for fiber-optic cable installation—from 0.75 in (19 mm) to 1.25 in (32 mm) wide, and up to 12 in (305 mm) deep—in one quick, efficient pass. The narrow, shallow trench created by the MT12 enables contractors to install fiber above existing utilities, so there is minimal disruption of surrounding infrastructure and roadways, which saves time and money.
The MT12 offers a choice of four saw blades with widths of 0.75 in, 0.95 in (24 mm), and 1.25 in. Each blade can be easily changed in the field with standard hand tools, reducing downtime. Three blades feature conical bits that can be replaced in the field, a design that extends the life of the blade and reduces maintenance expense. A fourth blade features welded shark teeth.
The trenching depth of the MT12 is mechanically adjustable—from 6 in (152 mm) to 12 inches in 1-in (25 mm) increments. This feature helps the operator quickly set the depth to match job specifications and maintain a consistent depth for the entire length of the trench. The microtrencher can also be manually tilted six degrees to the right or left, which helps the operator maintain a true vertical trench on uneven surfaces.
Often it is necessary to cut a trench right next to and parallel to curbs and gutters, which is why the MT12 saw is designed to hydraulically traverse 24 in (610 mm) from the center of the machine to the right.
The MT12 is part of a complete Ditch Witch microtrenching system that includes a specially configured Ditch Witch RT45 or RT55 trencher and an FX60 vacuum excavation system configured with a cyclonic separator, an advanced filtration system designed to handle the dry, dusty spoils produced by microtrenching. The customer can choose whether to run the vacuum excavator hoses in front of or to the rear of the trencher, depending on jobsite conditions.
The MT12 can also be equipped with onboard chutes that deposit spoils along the side of the trench, for easy cleanup when not using the FX60 microtrenching vacuum system.
Ditch Witch www.ditchwitch.com