Do I need a trencher?

According to Ditch Witch Product Manager Chris Thompson, you should use a ride-on trencher if: Your trench is longer than 250 feet. Your trench is wider than 8 inches. Your trench is deeper than 48 inches.

How long does it take to dig a trench with a trencher?





The short answer is a good working trencher of 100 linear feet will take roughly 12 hours to dig. You can calculate the work period by multiplying the linear feet you need to dig by 0.12. However, how fast you finish depends largely on the trencher power and the soil environment.

Is a trencher faster than an excavator?

Under good conditions a trencher can work three to four times faster than an excavator, Bolay says. “If it’s a fairly open jobsite and there are not a lot of underground or surface obstacles, you can work productively and leave a cleaner jobsite with a trencher than a compact excavator,” he says.

How deep can you dig with a trencher?

You can commonly dig a trench from 12 to 48 inches deep and 3 to 16 inches wide using a rented walk-behind trencher. Most compact ride-on trenchers let you dig trenches about 48 inches deep and up to 12 inches wide, but some heavy-duty trenchers allow you to dig trenches as deep as 6 feet and as wide as 16 inches.

Is a trench digger worth it?

The first big reason why renting a trencher is a no-brainer is the wear and tear it will spare your body. Digging any amount of trench by hand can be crushing work, particularly if the earth you’re working with is at all rocky or filled with obstacles like buried pavers or concrete chunks.

Is a trencher easy to use?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Hi I'm mark from the home depot rental center when you need a trencher that's easy to operate. And can dig trenches up to 18 inches deep we recommend the barreto hydraulic micro trencher.

What is the fastest way to dig a trench?

What is the Fastest Way to Dig a Trench by Hand?

  1. Water the soil for 1 hour the day before excavation.
  2. Use a trenching shovel to quickly excavate the trench.
  3. Use a pick mattock to dig up rocks and break through tough soil.


How much should I charge for trenching?

Digging a trench costs an average of $8 per linear foot, including equipment and labor.



Costs Per Linear Foot to Build a Trench.

Trenching Cost Range Average Cost
Equipment (Trencher) $1.75 – $2.50 $2.12
Labor* $2.25 – $9.50 $5.87
Total Per Linear Foot $4 – $12 $8
Total Per 100 Linear Feet $400 – $1,200 $800



Will a trencher go through tree roots?

Although a trencher can be used to cut through roots, it was designed for creating trenches in soil and may not be able to handle large roots.

How big of a trencher do I need?

Smaller models can often dig trenches between 1 and 4 feet deep and between 4 and 16 inches wide. Larger trenchers can dig ditches up to 18 feet deep and 4 feet wide. One of your first considerations will be the size of trench you need to dig: Smaller trenchers will dig trenches 1-4 feet deep and 4-16 inches wide.

Can I use a chainsaw to dig a trench?



Chainsaws can be modified to handle tasks like trenching, but the modifications will decrease the lifespan and performance of your saw. Many people use their chainsaws for digging trenches because it is an easy way to cut through dirt or other types of material without having to utilize any additional tools.

Can you trench wet ground?

Many thousands of gallons of water could be flowing downslope in the soil toward your property and you need to capture it just like a gutter collects rainwater. You do this with a simple trench that can be anywhere from 2 feet to 8 feet or more deep.

How long does it take to trench 100 ft?

about 12 hours

How long does it take to trench 100 linear feet? On average, you’re looking at about 12 hours to dig 100 linear feet.

What are the advantages of using trenchers?



Trenchers also produce less dust, vibration, and noise than using explosives so they can be potentially used in areas near bridges, roads, railways, and populated areas in general. A vertical wall trench requires less backfill material than a “V” wall excavated trench; making it easier and less expensive to backfill.

Do you need a trailer for a trencher?

Trencher Shipping: Trailer Conditions for a Long-Distance Haul. The most appropriate trailer for use is a Removable Goose Neck (RGN) trailer. Considering that the trailer is an integral part of the assembly involved in actual transportation, it is essential to inspect it, as well as the tractor.

What is the difference between trenching and edging?

What is trenching? Trenching is the process of making a deeper hole to create a border on surfaces such as a lawn. If we compare it to edging, the main difference is that trenching creates a deeper hole while edging only excavates a shallow surface.

Can I use an edger to dig trench?

An edger can be used as a trencher, but you won’t get the best operational efficiency. Specifically, your depth will be very limited, and the whole project will take longer to complete. However, it’s possible to convert an old edger into a mini makeshift trencher.

How do you dig a trench for drainage?



Dig a trench that is 18 inches deep and 9–12 inches wide. Lay water-permeable landscaping fabric in the trench, followed by 3 inches of gravel. Lay your perforated drain pipe in the trench, cover with an additional 3 inches of gravel, and cover the drainage ditch with rocks, soil, or stones.

Should I put rocks in my ditch?

Things You’ll Need



A rock-lined ditch with water flowing in it is aesthetically pleasing. Lining a ditch with rock enhances any ditch. It improves water flow through the ditch, can trap trash and sediment and can reduce erosion.

What is the best tool to dig a trench?

What is the Best Tool for Digging a Trench?

  • The traditional trenching tool kit is: trench shovel, drain spade, pick mattock, and rake.
  • If the trench must be dug on extremely rocky or hard ground, a walk-behind trencher may be required.
  • For detailed borders, use a border trenching tool.