Trenchers (8)

A walk-behind trencher can dig a trench up to 48 inches deep and 8 inches wide, depending on the model you use. For projects that require deeper digging depths, a ride-on trencher is your best bet. Heavy-duty ride-on trenchers can dig up to 6 feet and 16 inches wide.

Because they’re equipped with high-strength steel, trenchers can cut through a variety of obstacles, including gravel, clay, rocks, roots, hard soil, pavement, and even concrete. Wheel trenchers work best for harder materials, while chain trenchers are a good choice for cutting into soil.

Which trencher you need depends on how deep you want to go and what you’re trying to cut.

• Rockwheel trencher: also called rock saw trenchers, are equipped with a toothed metal wheel to cut through soft or hard soil. They have six to eight cutting elements as well as spacers and ejectors that push excavated material away from the edge of your trench. They’re commonly used on rock formations, pavement, concrete, and for digging.
• Chain trenchers: Chain trenchers feature a chainsaw-like design that uses a digging chain or belt to cut the ground. They can be used to cut narrow trenches 12 to 36 inches deep.
• Ride-on trencher: A ride-on trencher can help with projects like sewer line installation by cutting cleanly through the ground up to 6 feet deep. They’re commonly used for farm and highway construction and typically mounted on tracks that allow them to maintain traction on uneven or rough terrain.