Vermeer’s new MTR516 microtrencher attachment helps contractors install fibre optics with less restoration work. The attachment cuts trenches up to 43.2 cm deep, and helps crews quickly connect neighbourhoods to high-speed internet, especially in urban areas, by helping to reduce impact on surrounding property and infrastructure.
The MTR516 microtrencher works with Vermeer’s RTX550 and RTX750 ride-on tractors. Its design focuses on a clean, precise cut while reducing impact on surrounding properties.
“Contractors need to get fibre in the ground fast and keep the jobsite clean, and the MTR516 microtrencher is built for that,” said Nick Olsen, Product Manager at Vermeer. “We’ve packed it with features that directly impact cutting performance and jobsite cleanliness, all backed by the reliable service and support our customers expect from their local Vermeer dealer.”
Vermeer equipped the microtrencher with a fully shrouded cutting wheel that covers the blade during operation, contains debris and optimizes vacuum suction. This keeps the jobsite cleaner and helps reduce cleanup time. The attachment’s durability is also key for consistent performance.
“We leveraged our experience with rockwheel durability when designing the MTR516 microtrencher,” Olsen said. “Contractors need equipment that can handle tough conditions day after day. By incorporating principles from our rockwheel designs, we built this attachment to offer enhanced durability and maintain cutting performance, even in challenging ground like cobble.”
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Serviceability is straightforward. The MTR516 microtrencher has a replaceable spoil outlet for 10.2-cm or 15.2-cm vacuum hoses that can be swapped out in the field. Multiple bolt-in wear plates are field-serviceable, and a dual-hinged access panel gives unhindered access for blade servicing and replacement. These design choices help reduce trips to the shop and keep crews working.
For cutting versatility, the MTR516 microtrencher handles trenches from 2.5 cm to 5 cm wide and down to 43.2 cm deep.
Contractors can choose wheel options with welded polycrystalline diamond cutter (PDC) teeth for fast, clean cuts in asphalt or rotary carbide teeth that are effective in concrete and rock. The attachment can also be offset up to 61 cm to the right, making it easier to cut next to curbs. Operation is made simpler with features like single-lever depth control. The design also optimizes airflow for spoil discharge across all cutting depths, meaning less spoil left behind.
For contractors expanding fibre optic networks, the MTR516 microtrencher attachment is a practical tool. It cuts a narrow, shallow trench, which means less cutting and less backfill.
