Underground Construction - December 2017 - 18

By Mark Rieckhoff

Tips For Better Accuracy In

Utility Plowing

From upgrading existing services
to installation of high-quality
broadband, a vibratory plow is an
in-demand piece of equipment.
Utility installation projects, both
rural and urban, can go quickly and smoothly with the help of
this machine - when it's operated
correctly.
Failing to plan, forgoing maintenance and other simple missteps
can be major hits to a plow's accuracy. For optimum operation,
focus on these five areas of best
practices.

1. In the know
Efficient plow operation begins
with knowing the area - both
what's above and below the surface. Smaller projects may not go
through a full geological survey
phase, in which case it's even more
crucial for the team to do its homework on the site.
It's both smart and responsible
to know what's underground and
map the plowing path accordingly. Not only will this prevent

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accidents and damage to existing
utilities, avoiding underground
obstructions will result in more
accurate plowing and a better finished product.
Above-ground obstacles like
telephone poles and boxes should
also be noted and accounted for
on the path. Plows aren't agile machines that can turn on a dime. If
an unexpected obstacle is encountered, the machine has to stop, reposition and alter its course, an interruption that costs precious time
and delays, and can and should be
avoided.

2. Made in the blade
The plow blade is a big key to
optimal operation. It needs to
be as wide as the line, whether
cable, conduit, etc., going into the
ground. That said, the wider the
blade, the harder it pulls, so choose
a blade that's no wider than it
needs to be.
On a similar note, certain blades
pull better in certain ground conditions. Going back to knowing

the area prior to starting the job is
a great time to assess the soil and
underground conditions to be sure
the blade choice is appropriate.
A final tip is to always choose a
blade with a leading edge in good
condition, and the same goes for
the toe. Dull tools decrease performance.

3. Proper operation
Any piece of equipment is only as
good as its operator. A few best
practices and simple tips can make
a big difference in time savings and
accuracy.
When using the up/down and
swing functions, place the hydraulic control levers in float. This
allows the plow to better follow
the path of the machine, especially
valuable in projects with several
turns and hilly terrain.
To prevent wasted time and
effort, never plow deeper than
what's specified. Not only is it
wasteful, it's unnecessary. Plus,
any deviation from job specifications communicated by the project

owner could have a negative impact on the company.

4. Maintenance matters
An unreliable plow or one that's in
poor condition can't possibly operate at its best, making it important
to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance,
and a few other tips too.
Prior to each day's operation,
do a quick visual inspection. Walk
around the machine to check for
issues. Oil and fuel leaks, cracked
hoses or any visible signs of damage to the machine should be addressed immediately. Take time to
check pins and bushings too.
Secure or replace pins as needed.
Push and pull the attachments
to confirm full range of motion,
and grease if needed. For best
results, grease should always be
applied at the end of the day, when
the machine is warm and more
receptive to it - a habit to adopt
when shutting down the plow for
the day.
Finally, take advantage of the
Underground Construction December 2017

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Underground Construction - December 2017

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