Across the West, demand for fast, minimally disruptive fiber builds is skyrocketing. Microtrenching (a narrow, shallow cut in asphalt or concrete that’s just large enough to accept conduit) has emerged as a proven way to accelerate last- and middle-mile projects while keeping traffic moving and restoration costs low.
Microtrenching is a field-tested method that can speed deployment, especially in dense urban corridors where space and schedule are tight.
What Is Microtrenching?
Traditional open-cut trenching requires deep, wide cuts that take longer to excavate, clean, and restore. Microtrenching instead uses a purpose-built saw to create a narrow trench (often less than two inches wide and between 3 and 16 inches deep), so crews can lay duct and cable with far less surface disruption.
The result:
- Faster production per foot
- Safer work zones
- Fewer headaches for municipalities, businesses, and residents on the route
Meet the MT16: Clean, Precise Cuts for Faster Fiber Installs
The Ditch Witch MT16 microtrencher is built for utility contractors who need clean, repeatable cuts through asphalt or concrete and a workflow designed specifically for fiber deployment along paved rights-of-way.
Compact yet construction-grade, the MT16 helps crews reduce jobsite cost-per-foot compared to traditional installation methods through a durable design and a lineup of unique saw blades engineered for precise, narrow trenches. It’s also versatile enough for other roadway applications, including cutting expansion joints and supporting utility repair and maintenance.
A Superior System: Microtrenching Designed to Work Together
One of the biggest advantages of the MT16 is that it’s part of a complete microtrenching system designed and manufactured to work together with high efficiency. Configured for the Ditch Witch RT80 ride-on trencher, the MT16 system is purpose-built for consistent production on paved routes.
To keep jobsites cleaner and reduce labor, vacuum excavation is used to remove spoils created during trenching, minimizing cleanup time and helping restoration crews move faster.
For dry, dusty spoils typical of microtrenching, the Ditch Witch HX75 vacuum excavator can be equipped with a cyclonic separator and positioned either in front of the trencher or to the rear, depending on the jobsite layout and traffic plan. That flexibility can make a real difference on tight urban corridors where staging options are limited.
Durable Blade Options That Match Your Streets
Not all pavement behaves the same, and microtrenching success often comes down to matching the blade to the surface. The MT16 can be equipped with a range of unique saw blades designed to cut clean, narrow trenches in one efficient pass, helping crews maintain a consistent trench profile and reduce rework.
Ditch Witch offers a complete lineup of blades, including:
- Standard carbide-tipped blades for dependable performance across common conditions.
- Ditch Witch-exclusive PDC blades featuring diamond-embedded carbide for demanding materials and longer life.
A major productivity advantage: blades are easily changeable on the jobsite with standard hand tools, so operators can swap cutting packages as pavement conditions change without losing a half-day to shop time.
And when you’re chasing ROI, the exclusive PDC blade stands out. Its durable, maintenance-free design is proven to last up to 10 times longer than standard blades, helping contractors stretch blade life and reduce downtime tied to blade replacement.
Efficient Cuts in Tight Spaces
Microtrenching routes rarely behave like a straight line. Street corners, cul-de-sacs, and changing road geometry can slow down production if the saw can’t track cleanly.
The MT16 saw articulates up to 6 degrees to follow the machine path, allowing a tighter cut radius so operators can cut effectively on a 90-degree street corner or cul-de-sac without sacrificing trench quality.
Just as important, the narrow, small trench created by microtrenching can allow contractors to install fiber shallower than other utilities, with minimal disruption to surrounding infrastructure. Less material removed typically means less cleanup, faster restoration, and fewer conflicts with the route environment.
Field Advantages You’ll Notice Right Away
- Lower Cost-Per-Foot: Narrow, precise cuts and efficient spoil handling help reduce time spent cutting, cleaning, and restoring compared to broader, traditional methods.
- Cleaner Jobsites: With vacuum excavation pulling spoils during the cut, crews can reduce cleanup labor and keep corridors more manageable for traffic control.
- Urban Agility: The MT16’s articulation supports tighter radii and corner work, helping maintain consistent trench quality where conventional approaches bog down.
Why Do Contractors Choose Ditch Witch West?
When you work with Ditch Witch West, you’re not just purchasing equipment; you’re partnering with a dealer network that understands fiber work from bid to final patch. We are an authorized Ditch Witch dealer offering new and used equipment, rentals, parts, and 24/7 repair services across the West. Our locations span Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Montana, Hawaii, and Alaska, so when your crew needs support, we’re always nearby.
As the largest Ditch Witch dealer in the West, we back your MT16 with genuine parts, factory-trained service, and expert advice, plus related solutions like subsite locators, vacuum excavators, and ride-on trenchers to complete your system.
Ready to Speed Up Your Next Fiber Install?
If your plan includes miles of fiber along paved corridors, the Ditch Witch MT16 should be on your shortlist. Its clean-cut performance, blade versatility, and system-based approach help crews put more in the ground with less disruption and a smoother restoration process.
Connect with your nearest Ditch Witch West store to spec the right configuration for your routes and pavement conditions. We’ll help you select blades, plan spoils management, and build a microtrenching system that keeps production moving.
