News : Trenching vs. Boring of Duct for Fiber

Trenching is used in laying the new fiber with a machine like this.

We've had some questions about getting the duct in the ground by boring or trenching. Here's all you ever want to know about the two methods that will be used from Dave Fridley with FARR Engineering, the firm that designed and is overseeing construction of our fiber network. The photo is one Dave took of a boring machine at work on one of FARR's projects. The vibratory plow is from the Ditch Witch website and may not be exactly what contractors use.

Dave's notes: The first option is the boring method. Think of it this way.....if it is a relatively straight shot to the clamshell location (the box on the outside of your structure that contains the connection to the network) it will be bored. If it would require the bore machine to move to different spots to make turns because there are several turns or one big turn, it is less disruptive to lawns, etc. to use the vibrator plow.

"Trenching" (via vibrator plow) is not completed with big machines. These are small walk-along or sometimes small riding units. The vibrator plow will make a small "bulge" in the ground. They then back over the ground on the way out. Depending on how wet the ground is or how much rain occurs after.....it is very hard to see where a vibrator plow has been. The contractor doesn't have to re-seed along the path the vast majority of the time, because the lawn "heals" rather fast to a small line within a few days typically.

Sometimes it just makes sense to use vibrator plow since there are going to have to be a bunch of turns to get to the back of a house or business.

It's no wonder it's confusing to people because even contractors use the terms "trenched" or "bored" rather loosely.