When you're working on a project that requires serious earthmoving forces, you'll most likely need a trencher. What is a trencher, you might ask? As the name implies, it's a piece of equipment used to dig (you guessed it) trenches.
In this article, we'll cover how to use a trencher, the differences between different types of trenchers, and answer some common questions about this equipment. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Choose a Trencher
First, you have to choose the right equipment for the job. Below we'll break down the different trenchers and the types of jobs they're best suited for.
Types of Trenchers
There are two main types of trenchers: walk-behind and ride-on.
Walk-behind trenchers are generally best suited for small to medium-sized jobs where space is tight, such as digging for irrigation, landscaping, or commercial construction projects in softer terrain. Additionally, walk-behind trenchers are great if you're working on an enclosed jobsite or dealing with restricted access. Plus, if you're looking for precision, a smaller walk-behind trencher can help you maneuver evenly so that you can seamlessly install irrigation, pipes, or cables (like phone, internet, or electrical wires).
For large, tough jobs that require more horsepower, a ride-on trencher may be your best choice. Imagine your large construction site with harder terrain (like rocky soil or pavement) that requires longer, deeper, and wider trenches.
Ride-on trenchers operate by sitting in the driver's seat rather than walking behind them. This requires less physical effort from you and provides more horsepower. However, this results in less maneuverability, so ride-on trenchers are best suited for jobs that don't require extreme precision and aren't restricted by space. Ride-on trenchers can help you dig longer, deeper, and wider trenches in rough terrain.
Both types of trenchers can be equipped with toothed metal wheels (rock wheel trenchers) or chainsaw-style digging belts (chain trenchers). Rock wheel trenchers are great for rocky terrain, pavement, and hard soil. Plus, they come with their own shims and ejectors to remove excavated material as you work.
A chain trencher is like a giant chain saw. It has a chain mechanism that wraps around a boom, allowing you to easily control the depth of cut. This trencher is also agile, with a bucket-type excavator to move debris, perfect for digging narrow power line trenches, cutting tree roots, and cutting soil.
Whether you have a wheeled or chain trencher, a ride-on or push-behind model, a trencher can make quick work of otherwise slow projects. There are also various types of handheld trenching tools for smaller jobs. Once you've selected the ideal trencher, it's time to get to work.
Step 2: Prepare Your Job Site
This is another area that will vary depending on your project, but there are some best practices to keep in mind, including:
Obtain the proper permits.
Contact the appropriate utility entities before trenching to ensure that you won't cut any cables, pipes, or protected tree roots.
Clearly mark the trenching site and clear all major obstructions.
Make sure you and your team read the operating instructions and safety precautions in full before you begin.
Next, it's time to start trenching.
Step 3: Operate the Trencher
While the specific operating instructions will vary from trencher to trencher, there are some basic operations that most trenchers have. Familiarizing yourself with the basic mechanics beforehand will help you get started faster. The following operating instructions are found on most trenchers:
Steering mechanism. On a walk-behind trencher, this is usually just a set of handles, while ride-on trenchers have more powerful steering levers or track controls.
Depth control. This lever, usually operated by a hydraulic mechanism, allows you to raise or lower the trencher boom as needed.
Chain or wheel control. This turns the actual trenching mechanism (wheel or chain) on or off.
Speed control. This allows you to control how fast the trencher moves.
Speed change. The trencher will start in neutral, and then you can put it in forward or reverse.
Safeties. Finally, safety devices help you control the machine. Safety devices are usually levers on the handles, and the trencher will not start until the safety device is disengaged.
Once you have these basics down and understand the specific details of the machine you are using, you can start trenching. Start by setting the depth and speed controls, then start the engine, turn on the chain or wheel, and disengage the safety device to begin working. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the speed and depth as you work, depending on the terrain you are working on and the direction of the chain or wheel.
