Ditch Witch Launches Powerful New Midsize JT28 Horizontal Directional Drill

---

The new Ditch Witch JT28 is suitable for fiber utility, pipe, and cable projects, as well as water, gas, and sewer installations of up to 12 inches in diameter. (Photo courtesy of Ditch Witch.)

Ditch Witch intends for its new JT28 horizontal directional drill to replace its popular JT25 model. The new JT28 retains the prior model’s midsize dimensions, but amps up the power and performance and reduces the number of maintenance checks. The new HDD is suitable for fiber utility, pipe, and cable projects, as well as water, gas, and sewer installations of up to 12 inches (305 millimeters) in diameter.

“The JT28 was designed based on direct customer feedback, created to take everything our customers loved about the JT25 and up the ante with unbeatable power and exceptional productivity,” says Ditch Witch HDD Product Manager Cory Maker. “The result is a durable and low-maintenance machine that will help keep operators productive and improve jobsite performance.”

Stable Drilling Power

The Ditch Witch JT28 supports projects of up to 550 feet (167.5 meters) of length. It uses an exclusive, single-motor rotational drive system, the manufacturer says, which supplies up to 4,200 pound-force feet (5,694 newton-meters) of torque and 28,000 pounds-force (124.6 kilonewtons) of thrust and pullback.

---

Ditch Witch’s new JT28 horizontal directional drill retains the JT25’s midsize dimensions, but amps up the power and performance and reduces the number of maintenance checks. (Photo courtesy of Ditch Witch.)

The JT28’s onboard drilling fluid system has a maximum pressure of 1,200 psi (83 bar) and a maximum flow rate of 50 gallons per minute (189 liters per minute). The machine supports Power Pipe HD, Power Pipe Forged HD, and Ditch Witch Forged HDX drill pipe.

The JT28 can travel at up to 2.8 mph (4.5 km/h) in either forward or reverse gear. A premium LCD display gives the operator a clear overview of the machine’s operation. Including its cab, the JT28 weighs 21,360 pounds (9,689 kilograms). For transport purposes, the drill is 87 in. (2,200 mm) wide, 232.5 in. (5,900 mm) long, and 99.5 in (2,530 mm) in height.

Motor & Maintenance

A 130-horsepower (97-kilowatt), liquid-cooled, four-cylinder Cummins QSB4.5 diesel engine provides power to the new drill. It’s available in versions supporting EPA Tier 4 or 3 and EU Stage 4 or 3A emissions standards. The turbocharged and charge air-cooled engine has a 4.5-liter displacement. Ditch Witch grouped the new drill’s daily maintenance points in one central location, and there are no grease zerks that need daily attention.

Source: Ditch Witch