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The TrenchBadger Pro 10\/12 is \u201clike a Weed Eater on steroids,\u201d says Dale Ballenger, president of TrenchBadger Inc., Boynton Beach, Florida. The unit is a handheld, upright trencher with interchangeable blades for varying depths and widths. \u201cThey trench using the full diameter of the trenching blades, instead of the historical boom and chain,\u201d he continues. This model\u2019s design is focused on ease of use for the operator, as you stand upright while excavating.<\/p>\n
In 2019, The Toro Company, Bloomington, Minnesota, added to their TRX walk-behind trencher line with two models, the TRX-250 and TRX-300, which focus on performance, serviceability, ease of use and operator comfort. Both models utilize the company\u2019s Intelli-Trench technology, which optimizes hydraulic flow for the job\u2019s digging conditions. This design allows the handle to remain in place without constant adjustment, reducing operator fatigue.<\/p>\n Redesigned in 2019, MiniTrencher\u2019s EZ Kart also focuses on ease of use, with bigger, more stable wheels, better depth selection and aesthetic improvements. \u201cMost notable are our innovations in chain and dirt deflection,\u201d says J.J. Harris, general manager at MiniTrencher, Vancouver, Washington. \u201cOur newest chains dig better, longer and wider, and our new dirt deflectors better mitigate rock ejection.\u201d<\/p>\n John Deere, Moline, Illinois, has two new trencher attachment models, the TC36 and TC48, which are ideally suited to lighter-duty tasks, for customers in light construction applications. These can be configured to different soil and trench specifications, increasing uptime. The stabilization assist from the integrated skid shoe delivers optimal angles and more precise digging. These new models focus on operator comfort, with a spring-loaded trencher boom that reduces system shock. The multiple digging chain options these attachments add can drive lower operating costs.<\/p>\n Also notable in relation to newer models is that most manufacturers we talked to have avoided increases in pricing. \u201cWe try to maintain an affordable option for our customers,\u201d says Kukuk.<\/p>\n The latest trends indicate that size of the machine is increasingly important, with smaller trenchers and attachments that allow you to \u201cdo more with less\u201d coming to the forefront. \u201cOn smaller job sites, demand for compact equipment increases,\u201d says Kukuk.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially during the pandemic, we have seen an increase in residential work. With more time for home improvement projects, trenchers have been utilized more frequently.\u201d<\/p>\n Smaller trenchers are easier to move around and deliver faster trenching, such as E-Z Trench\u2019s EZ900 and EZ9100, which fit through a 34- or 36-inch gate, says Monty Porter, vice president of national sales at the Loris, South Carolina-based company.<\/p>\n Harris at MiniTrencher also speaks to the challenges in residential jobs, pointing out that many traditional trenchers cannot get into backyards with the downsizing of yards.<\/p>\n With increases in automation and a need to reduce labor, many landscape and irrigation professionals have a need for a handheld machine to address smaller areas, whether for residential or commercial work.<\/p>\n Thinking outside the box can also boost your income stream. \u201cSome landscapers have (added) landscape lighting to their services,\u201d says Ballenger. \u201cLow-voltage wiring was once installed with the rocking of a shovel to create a void, then laying the wire in the semi-trench. Now, with mini-trenchers, more landscapers are cutting clean lines to rest the wire in.\u201d You may have options you haven\u2019t previously considered, especially if you\u2019re working with a smaller trencher or an attachment that allows you to go where bigger trenchers can\u2019t. Harris suggests landscape lighting, dog fencing, robotic mower fencing, erosion control fencing and fence posts, for starters.<\/p>\n Of course, larger jobs continue to demand large equipment with better reliability, lower operating costs and increased productivity. Well-maintained, high-powered trenchers can run constantly for months on end for bigger projects, such as commercial utility installations and residential housing developments. But powerful machines that can handle more work and a longer job don\u2019t have to be enormous. As Porter at E-Z Trench puts it, \u201cOur equipment has always been a convenient size to load into a pickup or a work van, versus a trailer.\u201d<\/p>\n Wondering how to decide which trencher to use? Experience is key, as there are so many factors to consider, including the depth needed, the time allotted to complete the job, soil conditions and access to the space.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there isn\u2019t access, I will need a machine I can carry in,\u201d says Harris, and adds that you should also consider what may be too much machine for a job, or not enough. \u201cThe smaller the machine, the shallower the trench,\u201d he adds, \u201cBut many irrigation professionals never go deeper than 12 inches.\u201d<\/p>\n Also consider versatility, suggests Kukuk. \u201cWhen faced with a job that goes beyond just trenching, a stand-on skid steer with a trencher attachment is an option. These machines can switch out different attachments with ease, so contractors can customize the attachment to an array of landscape and irrigation applications, allowing for maximum ROI, productivity and efficiency.\u201d<\/p>\n Whatever equipment you use, regular maintenance and inspection directly influence uptime. Most of the experts we talked to suggest checking equipment at the beginning of the day, periodically throughout the day, and again after completing the day\u2019s work. Not responding to warning signs of wear and tear can lead to costly downtime. While the manufacturer\u2019s suggested service intervals are important to follow, machines don\u2019t know the schedule, which is why daily inspection is so important. The constant vibration and digging action of a trencher means that eventually parts will come loose. Familiarize yourself with what your trencher looks and feels like when it\u2019s in proper working order, regularly checking points like cutting bits, belt tension and connection points.<\/p>\n Not only is your equipment at risk if you don\u2019t understand how to properly maintain and proactively prevent it from incurring damage, so are you and your staff. Downtime and expenses from injuries can be both costly and personally upsetting.<\/p>\n Make sure everyone who uses your equipment fully understands how it is supposed to look, work, feel and sound. \u201cWear your PPE!\u201d says Harris. \u201cSo many landscapers and irrigation professionals ignore this practice. Show your customers that you care about their property by showing that you care about your body.\u201d<\/p>\n And don\u2019t stretch people or machines beyond capacity. \u201cEach piece of equipment has efficiency boundaries,\u201d says Ballenger. \u201cLearning these boundaries will greatly enhance the use of the machine and the life of the equipment.\u201d<\/p>\n With the changes and improvements in operator comfort and added efficiency, the right trenchers for your landscape and irrigation work can save hassle, energy, time and money. If you\u2019re focusing on increasing productivity, it might be time to talk to a dealer about acquiring the right trencher for your business.<\/p>\n Renting a trencher can be advantageous if you only need it for the occasional larger job and don\u2019t want to deal with the costs and duties of another machine in your fleet to maintain and repair. But if you are renting trenchers every month, it\u2019s probably time to consider buying. While renting can take some of the work away that ownership requires, you have to balance the investment in labor.<\/p>\n Many landscape and irrigation professionals will get to a point where they need to focus on speed, making work less \u201cpeople-intensive,\u201d as J.J. Harris, general manag er at MiniTrencher, Vancouver, Washington, puts it. \u201cIt may be a cash flow exercise that shows that making payments will cost less per month than renting.\u201d He adds, \u201cMini-trenchers tend to pay for themselves within five weeks (or less), so purchasing one is almost always a better idea than renting.\u201d<\/p>\n Consider your typical work, including soil condition and dimensions of trenches. These can help guide your choices. Your local dealer can help you identify the best machine for your needs after a discussion about your typical trenching needs and workflow. Going with the cheapest or smallest may not be wise. \u201cBuying a trencher that will not go as deep as you consistently need is going to cause an issue,\u201d says Harris. \u201cIf you are always renting the next size up, you made the wrong purchase.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dig into trencher trends and save time and money on your jobs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":4759,"parent":0,"template":"","main-categories":[32],"class_list":["post-4070","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","main-categories-equipment"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"trencher](\"https:\/\/innovativepixel.com\/IGIN\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/dirt-trenchers-3.jpg\")
Job site changes<\/h2>\n
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Trencher selection and avoiding downtime<\/h2>\n
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Rent vs. buy<\/h3>\n
This article originally appeared in Irrigation & Green Industry magazine.<\/em><\/h6>\n
Nina McCollum <\/strong><\/a> is a freelance writer based in Cleveland and can be reached at mccollumnina@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"