I have a GeoRipper and live in AZ, where we dig in a mix of caliche clay and gravel, which gets rock hard in the summertime. GeoRipper sells a small attachment for about $50 that keeps the blade tight. I called the company and they sent one to me for my 820. It is a small piece of metal that attaches using the two holes on the bar near the sprocket, then there is a bolt with a lockable nut that prevents the main bolts from sliding, holding the chain in place so it can not come loose. They said that they typically only need it for the 827, but when digging in hard clay it is also useful for the 820. I now set my chain once and then keep going. I find that the chain loosens a bit as it starts to wear out just from friction, but I can easily adjust my bar with the attachment. Give them a call, you will not regret it! Interesting that you have trouble with the end bolts. I have never lost one of those. I love this machine, it enables jobs otherwise not possible.
I'm a plumber in North Scottsdale cave creek/carefree AZ considering purchasing this machine for water service line replacments. What do you think of this machine now after a year? Is it worth the purchase? As you know it's pretty rough soil out here.....
@@stevemarkovic9326I typically do not go as deep as you would need to go for water service lines. I read that you go to 2.82 feet here. The longest mini trencher is the 827, with a 27” chain. If this is enough for you then I do recommend it. It is a great tool that enables jobs that are not otherwise possible.
Just a thought: On the upper bolts just drill a hole through each bolt head and safety wire together. On the lower ones that are counter sunk, maybe replace with hex head bolts and grind down the heads so they don't stick out of the bar much and then drill and safety wire them together?
possibly. I could see that, but it will still be the tip of the machine that will have a lot of friction and impact which is where I have a problem with the screw
@@iamahardscaper damn that's Hella dissappinting I really want one of these for an upcoming job I have a 150ft trench that's 6" wide between a curb and a fence
Ionizer from permatex woth thread locker. First clean metal with wire brush. Fallow instructions with ionizer then apply red threadlocker it's 1 step away from epoxy at that point I'd be very surprised if that doesn't hold. Also make sure when you do it all surfaces of every piece of tool is Clean so that all parts are as flat as possible and torque appropriately
I appreciate the video. I was interested in this unit and the Google reviews seemed to be littered with bought positive reviews an ddc only contained one negative review from someone that had experience repairs. As for the bolts, have you tried lock washers? Could the bolt holes be drilled and theaded through the other side so a longer bolt could be used with a lock nut on the back side?
That could be an option, but if it were to extrude too far it would catch the side walls for the trench. Also, without some sort of permanency to it, it would still loosen. I’ve tried loctite many times and it still happens. Another comment mentions doing some sort of weld and if you ever needed to you could grind it off. I may try that
We have hit phone Internet lines. They typically do not get marked and are a couple of inches below grade. With this machine though, we haven’t hit anything
Should have bought a Terratrencher as they are orginal New Zealand developers and patent holders of this hand held trencher but with a stihl engine and less problems. PS where are the leg chaps to protect from flying stone?
Wouldn’t know where to get one where I am. Still looks like the same hardware that would have given me problems. Nothing to do with the actual body itself. Though I would prefer a STIHL. And good point on the protection 👍
May be a bit tough. I did a project where we had some fist sized rocks in dense clay and it really struggled in that. But another project with 4” rocks in a looser clay and it did fine.
If longer bolt will pass through and show threads on the opposite side, perhaps Loctite red and Lock nut will do the trick If it doesn’t thread through the to the opposite side, just drill tap the existing hole out and insert longer bolt, loctite, and secure with lock nut…. Just a thought. Should be steadfast throughout your job and yet still easily removable for maintenance / cleaning.
Really appreciate that! The Pro Barrow serves a purpose. When I bought it, I was operating out of just a pick up truck and it was the only powered wheelbarrow that fits under a tonneau cover. It is actually really powerful, holds its charge for more than a day of full use, and holds a decent amount of material. The downside is dumping. It is a little bit of a pain.
You wouldn’t be able to get right up against the foundation wall if that’s what you are wondering. You’d likely be a couple inches off but could still cut in. In terms of soils, does great except in really dense clay I lose screws
My guess is that it would, but it would make a real mess of it and it would beat the crap out of the machine which would lead to the problems that I have with it
We have the 4 stroke version and use it on a lot of our jobs. The chains don’t last very long for us and are quite expensive. But with the time it saves on jobs it makes the cost Worth its money. Uk irrigation engineer
@iamahardscaper that's awesome! I just misunderstood. I thought you were charging the client $25/hour. $25 for your men is really good. I like, I like 👊
So it's been 2 years, has Georipper stepped up to the plate and done any continuous improvement to their machines or are they just milking an old flawed design for all they can util their sales reach zero?
I think they left a comment somewhere about some improvement. I can't remember what it was or if it was just their conversion kit that they have. To be honest, I have not used this trencher since this video.
@@iamahardscaper yeah, heard it later in the video. You got me there :D Always make sure the threads are clean though, small brass brush and brake cleaner needed. Cool video though, enjoyed it!
They definitely are pricy units. Only purchase if it will be used in your business. Since we do a lot of tight access work, it is an absolute necessity. Contact them to see where there dealers are. In canada it’s tough to find.
Your calculations didn't include the cost of the mainline and the chains. From my understanding the two chains are only good for 1500 hours each. So the $3000 machine and two chains is going to cost you $1 per foot not including the gas and labor.
@@iamahardscaper I saw someone else mention lock wire. That sounds like a doable thing. Good luck and thanks for the video. First video I saw about the handheld ditch witch. Looks like back breaking work having to be so low to the ground.
Sounds like a bad design. You need to be able to loosen and tighten to adjust chain. But the company needs to rethink their design. Needs special bolts with a clip that prevents back out.
Seeing how that gas line was connected is terrible. Use an actual riser next time before someone has a major gas leak and possible fire. Super unsafe to do that.
I have a GeoRipper and live in AZ, where we dig in a mix of caliche clay and gravel, which gets rock hard in the summertime. GeoRipper sells a small attachment for about $50 that keeps the blade tight. I called the company and they sent one to me for my 820. It is a small piece of metal that attaches using the two holes on the bar near the sprocket, then there is a bolt with a lockable nut that prevents the main bolts from sliding, holding the chain in place so it can not come loose. They said that they typically only need it for the 827, but when digging in hard clay it is also useful for the 820. I now set my chain once and then keep going. I find that the chain loosens a bit as it starts to wear out just from friction, but I can easily adjust my bar with the attachment. Give them a call, you will not regret it!
Interesting that you have trouble with the end bolts. I have never lost one of those. I love this machine, it enables jobs otherwise not possible.
Oh amazing! I’ll definitely reach out to them for that. Thank you!
I'm a plumber in North Scottsdale cave creek/carefree AZ considering purchasing this machine for water service line replacments. What do you think of this machine now after a year? Is it worth the purchase? As you know it's pretty rough soil out here.....
@@stevemarkovic9326I typically do not go as deep as you would need to go for water service lines. I read that you go to 2.82 feet here. The longest mini trencher is the 827, with a 27” chain. If this is enough for you then I do recommend it. It is a great tool that enables jobs that are not otherwise possible.
In the market for this machine….thank you for a detailed and honest review - very helpful!!!
glad it helped!
Use red locktite on the screws that are coming out. You can get it back out you just have to smoke the bolt with a torch first.
i tried it. probably didnt clean it well enough, because it didn't work
@@iamahardscaper dang, maybe the vibration is just too much for it.
I think so, because they shipped it with the screws loctite. but it didnt hold up
Thank you for this review. Very informative.
Thank you for watching and commenting!
Through bolt that thing.
Thanks for the review !
Will have to try! 👍
Just a thought: On the upper bolts just drill a hole through each bolt head and safety wire together. On the lower ones that are counter sunk, maybe replace with hex head bolts and grind down the heads so they don't stick out of the bar much and then drill and safety wire them together?
Good thought 👍 I’ll have to figure a way to do something with it
.....loctite? ...granted that wire can't fail.
One solution has solved, nice
👍👍
I keep to replace some tubing on my sprinkler system. Will it go through old tree roots not too thick?
Yeah I think they say up to 3” in diameter
Did you lock tite the bolts? Did it help?
Yes and no it didn’t
@@iamahardscaper do you think the electric models would be better without the motor vibration?
possibly. I could see that, but it will still be the tip of the machine that will have a lot of friction and impact which is where I have a problem with the screw
@@iamahardscaper damn that's Hella dissappinting I really want one of these for an upcoming job I have a 150ft trench that's 6" wide between a curb and a fence
@@iamahardscaper you had an issue with the screws near the motor too didn't you?
Przydatne przy wycince pni drzew. Do odcięcia kprzeni
👍
Self sharpening. LOL good one!
👍👍
Did you try loctite on the screws
Yup
Could you use this for french drain?
you could make parallel trenches and then loosen up the middle easily. but a mini excavator would be easier
@@iamahardscaper ahhh i see. good point.
4:47 you need to locktite them.
Yup, tried it. Most popular comment on this video 😂
Is a lock washer possible
That has been recommended, I should try it
Ionizer from permatex woth thread locker. First clean metal with wire brush. Fallow instructions with ionizer then apply red threadlocker it's 1 step away from epoxy at that point I'd be very surprised if that doesn't hold. Also make sure when you do it all surfaces of every piece of tool is Clean so that all parts are as flat as possible and torque appropriately
Love it, thank you!
Get the 27” bar,the cart,the 2” wide chain,and stone shields.
Its worth it.
I can’t imagine putting any more money into this thing. Especially that cart. I used it again today and the chain falls off every 5 feet
@@iamahardscapercan thread locker help stop bolts and nuts loosening?
Imdia me available ho sakta hai ye trencher
🤔
Mike I have a bunch of lighting to do at a house in Woodbridge. Can I rent this off you?
Sure, but it’s missing a screw and don’t know where to find a replacement. When do you need it by?
Good day please I like this machine and I want buy. Were can I get it?
Reach out to GeoRipper to see where there is a dealer located near you
I appreciate the video. I was interested in this unit and the Google reviews seemed to be littered with bought positive reviews an ddc only contained one negative review from someone that had experience repairs.
As for the bolts, have you tried lock washers? Could the bolt holes be drilled and theaded through the other side so a longer bolt could be used with a lock nut on the back side?
That could be an option, but if it were to extrude too far it would catch the side walls for the trench. Also, without some sort of permanency to it, it would still loosen. I’ve tried loctite many times and it still happens. Another comment mentions doing some sort of weld and if you ever needed to you could grind it off. I may try that
Great video, have you had many problem with striking any other services in the ground?
Thank you.
We have hit phone Internet lines. They typically do not get marked and are a couple of inches below grade. With this machine though, we haven’t hit anything
Should have bought a Terratrencher as they are orginal New Zealand developers and patent holders of this hand held trencher but with a stihl engine and less problems. PS where are the leg chaps to protect from flying stone?
Wouldn’t know where to get one where I am. Still looks like the same hardware that would have given me problems. Nothing to do with the actual body itself. Though I would prefer a STIHL. And good point on the protection 👍
Is it still good/recommended for rockier terrains?
Rocky as in bedrock? No, but if there are rocks smaller than 2-3” in size, it does okay with them
Thanks.
I think I have "parent material". Bedrock, I am assuming, is much rockier by definition and the images I have seen support those images.
May be a bit tough. I did a project where we had some fist sized rocks in dense clay and it really struggled in that. But another project with 4” rocks in a looser clay and it did fine.
@@iamahardscaper ...Ok. Clay won't be an issue. The soil is fairly loose. Thanks for this.
No worries 👍
Consigo este accesorio para Colombia?
I don’t think so
When it hits a root that is 3" in diameter.....how much does it slow the machine down?
It will kick back and slowly start to chip away at it and bouncing off of it until it gets through it
@@iamahardscaper How many seconds to make it through? (Thanks for answering by the way.)
I couldn’t say I don’t think I’ve gone through a major root for some time. Maybe 10 seconds or so
If longer bolt will pass through and show threads on the opposite side, perhaps Loctite red and Lock nut will do the trick
If it doesn’t thread through the to the opposite side, just drill tap the existing hole out and insert longer bolt, loctite, and secure with lock nut…. Just a thought.
Should be steadfast throughout your job and yet still easily removable for maintenance / cleaning.
Love it! Thank you!
Thanks Mike. Great video.
I would really love to know your opinion on that pro barrow. Btw, I love your podcast!
Really appreciate that! The Pro Barrow serves a purpose. When I bought it, I was operating out of just a pick up truck and it was the only powered wheelbarrow that fits under a tonneau cover. It is actually really powerful, holds its charge for more than a day of full use, and holds a decent amount of material. The downside is dumping. It is a little bit of a pain.
@@iamahardscaper thanks for the insight. I can see how it could be helpful when just starting out and don't have a mini skid or a dump trailer.
They make bar tensioners that are supposed to be on there to prevent the bar from moving back
i'll have to look into that 👍
How well does it work next to the foundation wall?
You wouldn’t be able to get right up against the foundation wall if that’s what you are wondering. You’d likely be a couple inches off but could still cut in. In terms of soils, does great except in really dense clay I lose screws
Is it able to trech 5 ft deep in earth?
No, I think this model is 20”
5 ft 😂🤣😂 if you’re trying to bury a body good old fashion shovel and elbow grease. 😂🤣😂
Will it cut through ice for creating a spearing hole?
My guess is that it would, but it would make a real mess of it and it would beat the crap out of the machine which would lead to the problems that I have with it
Can you deliver this tool in New Zealand. I am happy to pay currier fee
Sorry I am not the distributor. Reach out to Georipper on their website
Replacement chains are expensive. How long did your two chains last you for the 1st year?
I’m still going on my first one, though it may be needing to change it up. I’ve probably put about 500 feet of 18” depth hard clay on it.
We have the 4 stroke version and use it on a lot of our jobs. The chains don’t last very long for us and are quite expensive. But with the time it saves on jobs it makes the cost Worth its money.
Uk irrigation engineer
I wants sent details
search GeoRipper online
Hi bro how can I get this in india any chance
I actually do not know
Locktite?
Tried it, no go.
Donde lo puedo comprar soy de peru
🤷♂️
Get some locktite for the hardware brotha!
I did, wouldn’t hold still
Use thread lock on the screws/bolts.
Already tried, doesn’t hold up
@@iamahardscaper
There are different strengths. Try 272, Loctite?
Nice, I’ll definitely check it out
Bro, up your price on trenching! I charge $250 per hour or $100 per 10'. The job you're doing is worth more than $25 per hour.
what is charged and what a basic cost analysis for the tool are two very different things. My rate is much higher than paying a laborer $25 / hour.
@iamahardscaper that's awesome! I just misunderstood. I thought you were charging the client $25/hour. $25 for your men is really good. I like, I like 👊
💯it is good that you are pricing what you are worth!
use locktite on those screws...
Tried it
So it's been 2 years, has Georipper stepped up to the plate and done any continuous improvement to their machines or are they just milking an old flawed design for all they can util their sales reach zero?
I think they left a comment somewhere about some improvement. I can't remember what it was or if it was just their conversion kit that they have. To be honest, I have not used this trencher since this video.
Blue locTite the bolts
Tried it 👍
Red LocTite the bolts@@iamahardscaper
Will try this
Next time, use thread locker (Loctite 242, the blue stuff)
fyi: "REMOVABLE: Can be removed with hand tools", medium strength
Tried the loctite, still no go
@@iamahardscaper yeah, heard it later in the video. You got me there :D
Always make sure the threads are clean though, small brass brush and brake cleaner needed.
Cool video though, enjoyed it!
Brake cleaner, I’ll have to try that! Thank you 👍
18” for electric, (120v up) your thinking of low voltage lighting on a GFCI circuit that can only be 6” . But great for that.
💯
I would fabricate a washer that acts as a keeper to the sprocket end of the bar. "L shaped" with a hole taped through should do it. ✌
Appreciate that suggestion!
This is cool be the annoying thing about the stand up trenchers is how heavy they are and thus require trailers and ramps.
That is true
Very expensive online they’re available in any store
They definitely are pricy units. Only purchase if it will be used in your business. Since we do a lot of tight access work, it is an absolute necessity. Contact them to see where there dealers are. In canada it’s tough to find.
Your calculations didn't include the cost of the mainline and the chains. From my understanding the two chains are only good for 1500 hours each. So the $3000 machine and two chains is going to cost you $1 per foot not including the gas and labor.
👍👍
I can see your point on the chain, but are you figuring to only get 3000 feet out of the whole machine?
Looks like a chiropractor’s dream…
😂👍
🤣🤣
Loose screws needs loctite.
Tried it, no go
@@iamahardscaper I saw someone else mention lock wire. That sounds like a doable thing. Good luck and thanks for the video. First video I saw about the handheld ditch witch. Looks like back breaking work having to be so low to the ground.
Yeah, especially in clay it is a little rough 👍
screws falling out? screws that are not common heads? thats game over..
👍👍
Try some 272 loctite on those screws, shouldn't come back out
Tried it. No luck
Awesome video! 25/hr for labor?? Hopefully that’s what you’re paying, not charging? Haha
Haha what I’m paying. I’d be out of business yesterday if that’s what I was charging.
Sounds like a bad design. You need to be able to loosen and tighten to adjust chain. But the company needs to rethink their design. Needs special bolts with a clip that prevents back out.
That would be helpful!
seems too expensive for basically a chainsaw
It certainly is pricey
Vibratite vc3
Thank you!
Blue lock tite
Tried it
loctite
Tried it, didn't hold
사고십은데
어디서파는지
3000'?! Well that's a f#cking ripoff.
😂
All contractors I've seen are using a real commercial trencher.
Yeah, that would be ideal. This is for tight access situations where you can’t get one of those into a backyard
@@iamahardscaper I see your point there.
We cant always get a 100 mm chain digger into tight garden beds etc
That thing is useless
😂😂
That thing is amazing/awesome I need one asap
Seeing how that gas line was connected is terrible. Use an actual riser next time before someone has a major gas leak and possible fire.
Super unsafe to do that.
😮