Construction work involving installation, maintenance or inspection of pipelines/cables consists of excavating down to and exposing the cable/pipe so as to replace or repair it, followed by backfilling the trench. The construction equipment most suited for this purpose is known as trencher or ditchers. 

Similar to excavators, this machine penetrates the soil, breaks soil and rock. Trencher, a piece of earthmoving equipment utilises a metal chain with teeth made of steel to rip into the ground like a chainsaw. Similar to an excavator, a ditcher rips up roots and soil in the way to develop a trench. 

Manually digging a trench can take hours to complete. With the help of a ditcher, trenchers can cut down the time and labourers needed to finish the project. Given their basic functionality essential for any and every construction site, they have to take up different forms: 

Types of trenchers most commonly used 

Trenchers, based on their size are classified into: 

1. Wheel trenchers 

Wheel ditcher, most widely used machine, is mounted on rubber tires or tracks so as to assist with the excavation process. This machine is faster and cheaper in comparison with any other form of trencher. Wheel trenchers have around six to eight cutting elements around the wheel. This design enables the wheel to cut at trenches at varying depths. It also consists of spacers and ejectors which helping in moving the excavated materials away from the edges of the trenches.

2. Chain trenchers

A chain trencher looks like a giant chainsaw. This type of ditcher is utilised for piercing hard ground which cannot be cut or penetrated using an excavator. This machine pierces through a digging chain covering a round metal frame or boom when the machine is driven. The boom is adjusted to the right angle to attain the required cut and depth. Its bucket-type excavator lets the operator cut hard ground. Chain trenchers, due to their flexibility, can cut deep and narrow trenches for utility companies.

3. Rockwheel trencher 

Rockwheel trencher is a toothed metal wheel and renders effective result than the chain trencher. Using this type of trencher the operator can easily pierce through solid and hard stone. On being used heavily, its teeth can be removed and replaced whenever required. 

4. Portable trencher 

Portable trencher is utilised for generating irrigation lines and installing landscape edging. This type of trencher weighs around 200 pounds which offers it easy maneuvering. Hence it is used for installing utility connections including coaxial cables. 

Some key benefits of trenchers that are making them quite popular:  

1. Shoveling 

Trenchers help in shoveling process in an easy and quick manner. Smaller version ditchers can dig 3 to 4 feet deep. 

2. Creating drainage 

Chain trenchers help in digging several feet soil for creating drainage for sewage runoff or water flowing purpose. Chain trencher works in a quick manner and saves a lot of time spent on the digging process. Also on digging the soil using a portable trencher, you can run irrigation piping underground or sprinkler. 

3. Digging for electrical wires 

Chain trenchers can be used to dig underground for telecommunication or electrical wires from the power pole to the residence. The trencher’s conveyor belt eliminates the excavated materials.

4. Cutting pavements 

Wheel trenchers can be used to cut through pavement, rock, or concrete. Wheel trenchers can be operated on difficult ground conditions and obtain straight, clean, straight. They also work well on joint and patch replacement projects involving streets, highways, and interstates. 

5. Snipping roots 

Portable trenchers, in addition to making rows in the soil and cutting concrete, have a blade that caters as a rotary lawn mower blade and snips roots. While working on a project if the labour encounter roots, upon holding the trencher’s chain blade in the desired place and let the blade cut through the roots. 

Trencher technology 

Trenchers use gas or diesel for power. While the smaller units use gas, larger models utilise diesel.

1. Drive systems

All models of trenchers have transmissions, drive systems, and hydraulics to move forward and backward. These machines also have the mechanical or hydrostatic drive, offering smoother operation and fewer breakdowns.

2. Tracks vs. tires

Trenchers solely rely either on tires or tracks to move. Smaller models consist of  three or four wheels. Models with three wheels have two larger tires & one smaller under the trenching component. Heavy-duty models consist of tracks and let greater traction and easier driving, especially on rough terrain. 

3. Wheels vs. chains

To dig into the ground, ditchers use either a wheel or a chain, both consisting of teeth that cut into the ground. The wheel and chain can be controlled using the control panel. 

Safety concerns 

Trenchers shouldn’t be used around rock-prone areas. The teeth found on the machine cannot cut through areas with rock-like sediments or solid rock. Torn teeth cause shards of metal to get stuck and cause problems with the machine. In addition, before beginning with the project, it is always safe to contact local authorities and ensure the place is suitable for digging. 

Although trenchers and excavators are considered to be somewhat similar, trenchers have an upper hand in comparison with excavators in several aspects. 

1. The quality of ditches is better with trenchers

2. Trenchers offer higher efficiency

3. Trencher accomplishes multiple steps in a single pass including cutting the trench & producing suitable backfill 

4. Doesn’t require paddling materials to backfill over the pipe

It is important to choose the feasible type of trencher for the digging process to be effective and on-time.