Evolution of Fiber Optics Installation

Gary Cochran, president, Coneqtec group of companies
Created: August 23, 2011

Advances in skid-steer attachments offer options for efficient, cost-effective fiber optic installations.

The slot cutter model SSG12 cuts a 12-inch deep by 1 1/2-wide cut. It can be mounted on carriers such as a skid steer or compact track loader.
The slot cutter model SSG12 cuts a 12-inch deep by 1 1/2-wide cut. It can be mounted on carriers such as a skid steer or compact track loader.

In some cases, a vacuum truck is utilized to remove the spoil just prior to installing the conduit. In this process, the material remains in the cut and can be driven on until the crews arrive to install the conduit. Then the cut is vacuumed clear and the installation process is completed.

The company's 12- to 24-inch wide asphalt mills are also used to finish the T cut by making a 12- to 24-inch by 2-inch deep cut to complete the repair.

The value of these products is that the 1 ½-inch wide microtrench can be cut by the first skid-steer attachment and then exchanged with a second attachment on the same machine for milling to complete the T cut. This provides a simple, one-machine solution for the microtrenching FTTP process.