The push to expand fiber networks is accelerating as demand for high-speed internet skyrockets. For city planners and contractors in dense urban environments, that presents a familiar challenge: How do you meet modern connectivity needs without tearing up streets, snarling traffic, and stirring up dust?
Enter microtrenching.
This innovative method slices a narrow, shallow groove into pavement — typically along the seam where the road meets the curb. It’s a surgical approach to infrastructure: less mess, lower risk of utility strikes and less time spent disrupting and restoring roadways.
But while the trench may be small, the system behind it is anything but. From cutting wheels and vacuum systems to grout mixers and ride-on tractors, microtrenching requires a well-coordinated mix of equipment, materials, and expertise. And as more cities adopt this method, understanding the terminology is essential for contractors, engineers, and planners alike.
This glossary breaks down the language of microtrenching — whether you’re bidding on your first fiber install or scaling up for a multi-year urban rollout. Let’s dig in.
Glossary of microtrenching terms and products
Auto creep: A feature that allows slow, consistent machine movement during trenching.
Backfill: Material used to refill the trench after conduit installation. Common options include grout (slurry) and epoxy.
Backhaul: Fiber lines connecting local networks to the internet backbone.
Curb cut/sidewalk cut/alley cut: Specific microtrenching applications based on location.
Cutting wheel: A rotating disc with cutter teeth used to slice through pavement. Selection depends on surface type and trench dimensions.
Deployment rate: The speed at which microtrenching can be completed.
Dust suppression: A system that reduces airborne dust during trenching.
Epoxy: A two-part compound used as a backfill material. It must be mixed and poured quickly before it sets.
FTTH (fiber to the home): Direct fiber connection to residential buildings.
Grout compound: A sealing material used to fill the trench after conduit placement. Also referred to as slurry.
Locate wire/locatable duct: A conductive wire used to detect and locate buried utilities.
Long haul: High-capacity fiber lines over long distances.
Microduct: Small-diameter conduit used to house fiber optic cables.
Microtrenching: A utility installation method involving the cutting of a narrow, shallow trench along roadways or sidewalks for laying fiber optic or conduit lines. This cost-effective and time-saving method, often performed with equipment like the Vermeer RTX550 ride-on tractor, is ideal for compact utility installations.
MTR516 microtrencher: A high-performance trenching attachment from Vermeer, designed for cutting narrow, shallow trenches in asphalt or concrete for fiber and utility installation. It offers cutting depths up to 17 in (43 cm) and is compatible with Vermeer RTX550 and RTX750 ride-on tractors, making it ideal for urban microtrenching applications.
Offset capability: The ability to cut trenches offset from the machine’s centerline.
Quick-setting compound: A fast-curing material used for rapid trench restoration.
Reel carrier: Equipment used to carry and dispense conduit or fiber reels during installation.
Restoration: The process of returning the trench area to its original or improved condition, often involving surface sealing or capping.
Ride-on tractor: A self-propelled utility machine (e.g., Vermeer RTX550 and RTX750) used to power and transport microtrenching attachments like the MTR516.
Rockwheel/rocksaw: A heavy-duty cutting attachment (e.g., Vermeer RW526) used to slice through hard surfaces like concrete or rock. Suitable for deeper or wider trenching needs.
Saw cut: A method of cutting pavement using a diamond blade.
Slurry: A fluid mixture (typically water, cement, sand, and additives) used to backfill and seal microtrenches. Also referred to as grout.
Spoil: Material removed from the trench during cutting (e.g., asphalt, concrete, soil).
Surface: The topmost layer of the ground or pavement (e.g., asphalt, concrete) that is cut during microtrenching.
Underlayment: The material layer beneath the surface (e.g., base rock, compacted soil) that provides structural support.
Vacuum excavation: A method of spoil removal using suction to extract debris from the trench. Vermeer offers an extensive lineup of vacuum excavators.
Vacuum system: Equipment used to remove spoil during trenching. Options include trailer vacs and truck vacs.
Ready to try microtrenching on your next fiber installation project?
Whether you’re outfitting a single crew or planning a citywide rollout, having the right tooling makes all the difference. From microtrenching and cutting attachments and vacuum systems to ride-on tractors and backfill solutions, Vermeer offers a full lineup of equipment built for urban fiber installation.
Contact your local Vermeer dealer to learn more about our microtrenching solutions and how we can support your next project.
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Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region.
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