The rotary ditcher:
Can create foot drains 3m wide at a rate of around 200m per hour* - ten times faster and half the cost of an excavator
Is laser-levelled to give an accurate depth of excavation, with adjustable cutting blades to create variable ditch edge profiles
Creates ditches up to 6m across by up to 1.5m deep with more passes*
Throws spoil up to 30m away*. Spoil breaks down easily into the sward and gives a good tilth for reseeding if required, or it can be left to allow grass to grow through.
Creates pools 10m wide and up to 30m long, with a maximum depth of 30cm, in less than an hour*
Shifts up to 10 tonnes of spoil per minute*
Can be used to lower bed levels, material can be loaded into dumpers for removal or throw to targeted areas.
*Depends on soil type, topography, vegetation cover and complexity of features being created.
Hire costs
The ditcher is primarily based in Oxfordshire. It has to be transported on a low loader between sites that are more than 30 miles apart. This can make up a significant amount of the cost, but all attempts are made to keep this as low as possible.
To do this, the annual work programme is designed where possible to group sites together to share haulage costs.
Limitations
Due to the size and weight of the machine ground conditions have to be dry.
The machine is most suited to hard soils such as clays and loams with wet peat soils being best avoided. Alternative machinery is available for these sites and this will be discussed during the site visit.
Advice and booking information
The RSPB can provide free advice and support on the deployment and use of the ditcher, including undertaking specific site visits. The machine and its operation are complex and such support is often a vital element of project success. Sites interested in booking the Rotary Ditcher should be aware that to obtain the maximum value for money advance booking is essential.
Previous clients
The rotary ditcher has worked on many RSPB nature reserves across the UK, These include Minsmere, Titchwell Marsh, Otmoor, Berney Marshes, Ouse Washes, Greylake, Exe Estuary, Marshside, Saltholme and many others. Other clients include many private landowners, Natural England, Environment Agency, Carillion, Tweed Forum and several county Wildlife Trusts.