Having the right equipment is essential to completing any construction job right. When construction teams need to dig trenches for creating irrigation ditches, laying cables or severing tree roots, a trencher is an ideal machine. Trenchers are heavy equipment designed to dig trenches and provide the power needed for various earthmoving projects.
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Knowing the types of trenchers available gives you a better idea of which kind to select for your application. Learn more about the types of trenchers and how to use each one.
A trencher is a valuable piece of equipment for construction companies, utility operations or any business that digs trenches. Trenchers come in two main types — walk-behind and ride-on — and offer two different cutting types — wheel or chain. Understanding the kinds of available trenchers helps you choose the best one for your job:
The first trencher you can choose is a walk-behind trencher, which allows you to dig in confined spaces. These trenchers are smaller than ride-on trenchers and operated manually. This type of operation makes walk-behind trenchers ideal for work in small areas or enclosed job sites. You can use a walk-behind trencher for small- to medium-sized jobs like digging for landscaping, cable installation or irrigation.
Because walk-behind trenchers require manual operation, they create less damage on the terrain and are less powerful than ride-on trenchers. A walk-behind trencher may not provide the horsepower you need if you have a larger job. However, these machines are ideal for precision trenching. They may also be more affordable because of their compact size.
Another option is a ride-on model that works well for high-performance applications that require greater digging depths. Ride-on trenchers are larger than the walk-behind version and are drivable. This feature makes them ideal for use in large spaces that demand higher horsepower. Construction teams use ride-on trenchers on harder terrain like pavement or rocky soil to create long or deep trenches.
Ride-on trenchers provide more efficient digging in rugged terrain because of their size, though this makes them unsuited for smaller job sites or hard-to-maneuver spaces. These machines also offer less precision. However, ride-on trenchers require less physical labor from the operator.
Both walk-behind and ride-on trenchers come in two different cutting versions:
The steps for operating trenchers vary depending on the type of machine you're using. However, the basic operating steps for both kinds of trenchers are:
Despite the typical steps outlined above, the type of trencher you use may work differently. Here's an overview of the operating differences between the types of trenchers:
Walk-behind trenchers demand more physical labor than ride-on trenchers since they require manual operation. A walk-behind trencher has a set of handles for the operator to use for steering. The operator pulls the trencher toward them as the machine digs, keeping both hands on the handles. Because they walk backward, operators need to look around for any obstacles in their path.
The steering controls for a ride-on trencher are more robust than for a walk-behind trencher. To steer this machine, the operator sits on the trencher and accesses the steering handles and track controls. Operators should always check for debris or obstacles near the trencher and pay attention to the direction of the boom.
Trenchers provide a versatile, efficient cutting solution for a variety of applications. Take a look at the seven most common trencher uses:
Look no further than The Cat® Rental Store in your area for ride-on and walk-behind trencher rentals at competitive daily, weekly or monthly rates. We feature trenchers, trencher attachments and other products from leading manufacturers and back them with world-class service and support. We'll assist you with product selection and show you how to use a trencher productively and safely. Plus, we'll handle all maintenance and repairs for as long as you have your rental.
Check out our extensive inventory or give us a call at 1-800-RENT-CAT to learn more. You can also get a quick quote online. Rent what you need from a full-service rental company that does whatever it takes.
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