Chainsaw Trencher Fast, Maneuverable

2020 - Volume #44, Issue #6, Page #17

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The GeoRipper is a cross between a chainsaw and a motorized trencher. It’s handheld and ideal for tight spaces and tight turns. Mount it to its EZ Kart and easily trench through a lawn or open field to depths as much as 27 in.
“The original product was developed around 19 years ago in New Zealand,” says Debra McNamara, MiniTrencher. “They used a chainsaw engine, which was fine for their soils. Our soils are too varied. We developed a new version using a concrete saw-type engine from Makita.”
“It has a heavier duty chain that is self sharpening,” she adds. “The more you use it, the sharper it gets.”
The chain moves at about a third the speed of a chainsaw. While it can bounce a few inches if it hits a rock, the slower speed and vibration isolation springs in the arm prevent kickback. Chain life is measured in linear feet, and averages around 1,000 ft. It is affected by digging depth, soil type and operator style. Two chains are included with each GeoRipper.
The GeoRipper is designed to chip through roots up to 3 in. in diameter. While it can’t go through solid rock, it can dig through and dig up loose rock the size of an adult fist with repeated up and down sawing action. Larger rocks can be trenched around.
The handheld GeoRipper is available in 7 models, starting with the $2,600 616. Weighing 32 lbs., it is powered by a 61 cc, 4.4 hp., 2-stroke engine. It is designed to cut trenches up to 16 in. deep.
The largest GeoRipper is the $4,100 827. It has an 81 cc, 5.6 hp., 2-stroke engine and a maximum trenching depth of 27 in. when used with the included EZ Kart.
The EZ Kart is a $700 option with models other than the 827. With or without it, the mini trenchers are ideal for use where the only alternative is a shovel. They can be used in close quarters or areas where standard trenchers are not an option.
“Contractors tell us that what once took 8 hrs. with a shovel can be completed in an hour with a GeoRipper,” says McNamara, who adds that they and their customers are constantly finding new uses for the GeoRippers.
“It is ideal for any type of digging for irrigation systems, root barriers, landscape lighting and other pipe and wire installations,” says McNamara. “It works great in hard soils.”
The company also offers kits for use with specific Makita, Stihl and Husqvarna demo saws. And they’re working on a battery-powered cordless model. GeoRippers are available direct from MiniTrencher or from their 130+ dealers around the U.S.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, MiniTrencher, 815 NE 172nd Ave., Vancouver, Wash. 98684 (ph 360 694-0141; toll free 877 694-0141; info@minitrencher.com; www.georipper.com).

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Chainsaw Trencher Fast Maneuverable WOODLOT EQUIPMENT Chain Saws The GeoRipper is a cross between a chainsaw and a motorized trencher It’s handheld and ideal for tight spaces and tight turns Mount it to its EZ Kart and easily trench through a lawn or open field to depths as much as 27 in “The original product was developed around 19 years ago in New Zealand ” says Debra McNamara MiniTrencher “They used a chainsaw engine which was fine for their soils Our soils are too varied We developed a new version using a concrete saw-type engine from Makita ” “It has a heavier duty chain that is self sharpening ” she adds “The more you use it the sharper it gets ” The chain moves at about a third the speed of a chainsaw While it can bounce a few inches if it hits a rock the slower speed and vibration isolation springs in the arm prevent kickback Chain life is measured in linear feet and averages around 1 000 ft It is affected by digging depth soil type and operator style Two chains are included with each GeoRipper The GeoRipper is designed to chip through roots up to 3 in in diameter While it can’t go through solid rock it can dig through and dig up loose rock the size of an adult fist with repeated up and down sawing action Larger rocks can be trenched around The handheld GeoRipper is available in 7 models starting with the $2 600 616 Weighing 32 lbs it is powered by a 61 cc 4 4 hp 2-stroke engine It is designed to cut trenches up to 16 in deep The largest GeoRipper is the $4 100 827 It has an 81 cc 5 6 hp 2-stroke engine and a maximum trenching depth of 27 in when used with the included EZ Kart The EZ Kart is a $700 option with models other than the 827 With or without it the mini trenchers are ideal for use where the only alternative is a shovel They can be used in close quarters or areas where standard trenchers are not an option “Contractors tell us that what once took 8 hrs with a shovel can be completed in an hour with a GeoRipper ” says McNamara who adds that they and their customers are constantly finding new uses for the GeoRippers “It is ideal for any type of digging for irrigation systems root barriers landscape lighting and other pipe and wire installations ” says McNamara “It works great in hard soils ” The company also offers kits for use with specific Makita Stihl and Husqvarna demo saws And they’re working on a battery-powered cordless model GeoRippers are available direct from MiniTrencher or from their 130+ dealers around the U S Contact: FARM SHOW Followup MiniTrencher 815 NE 172nd Ave Vancouver Wash 98684 ph 360 694-0141; toll free 877 694-0141; info@minitrencher com; www georipper com

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