Vibratory plow increases flexibility (and decreases the mess in your yard)

By: Carson Coffman

 

It may not look like much. Just a used maxi sneaker made by Case or Astec, depending on who you ask, dragged to Missouri from Minnesota.
 
But our new vibratory plow is a huge next step for Socket and our Rural Fiber Project.
 
Why? It allows us to do our own drops, which connect homes and businesses to our existing fiber route.
 
We used it last week for its first job, which was to drop fiber to one of our employee’s homes. It took us half a day, but we learned so much more by “doing” instead of “reading” about placing fiber. The shank or large fin you see pointed down is the magic. The drums above it house a hydraulic vibrator which forces the shank or plow to enter the ground without tearing or ripping up the soil. This eliminates the need to open up a trench or do large amounts of rehab on a nicely manicured lawn. It keeps costs down, and keeps homeowners happy.
 
What it really is, though, is a symbol of what's to come. Where we're going and how we're going to bring the fastest connections to the most homes and businesses across Missouri.
 
Just one small piece of used equipment. But it sits there every day. Glaring at me. Asking me why it isn't running the next placement of fiber to the next customer who just needs more speed, more phone service, more everything to be connected to the rest of the world.