Soil Slicers

Underground installation is a critical part of new construction. Newly built homes and expanding communities require underground utilities to thrive and stay connected, planted landscapes need upkeep with sprinkler systems nestled beneath the soil and drainage is always important for channeling downpours and irrigation.

When it comes to smaller subsurface installations in small quarters, trencher attachments and skid steers can get the job done. With enough power to dig through tough earth and a compact design to fit onto tight jobsites (like backyards and in between homes), this twosome can get the project done and get vital utilities up and running quickly.

“Trenchers are popular where smaller utility lines are buried underground, and where there is no need to spend extra energy and time digging a standard 8-in. or wider ditch with a compact excavator or backhoe,” says Randy Bauserman, attachments product manager for Komatsu’s Utility Division. “Also, utilizing a trencher on a skid steer loader eliminates the need to move these other machine types to a site when only a small trench is needed for the job.”

Before a crew can take advantage of this equipment, matching the machine’s capabilities to the implement and understanding how to operate the pair is important to ensure productive, unproblematic work.

Buying Basics

Once a contractor decides that a trencher attachment is just what his or her project ordered, picking the right implement for their machine is crucial. The first step in the buying process should be to consult with the skid steer’s manufacturer about which type of trencher may work best with the tool carrier. With that in mind, it’s important to make sure that the trencher is matched to the work capabilities of the skid steer for optimum trenching efficiency.

When considering purchasing a trencher attachment, it’s imperative to match the auxiliary hydraulic flow capacities of the trencher to the attachment, says Greg Rostberg, marketing manager for Bobcat. By properly pairing the two pieces of equipment, an operator will be able to trench efficiently and with enough hydraulic flow for challenging ground conditions.

“Trenchers are designed specifically to use either standard-flow or high-flow hydraulic circuits,” says Bauserman. “High-flow auxiliary hydraulic circuits allow you to do more trenching work in the same period of time as compared to standard flow. If you do lots of trenching, consider purchasing a skid steer loader with high-flow auxiliary hydraulics and pick a trencher to match.”

After deciding what type of trencher attachment complements the hydraulics of the skid steer, the size of implement needed should be determined by what type of projects will be done. Trencher attachments are available in widths of 4 ½ to 12 in. with dig depths from 24 to 60 in. The cost of the implement ranges from $3,000 to $8,100, depending on the size of the trencher, its style of chain and other optional items.

The type of chain pattern and its style of teeth is the next step to customizing the implement to an operator’s needs. By determining the type of projects that the trencher will be required to tackle and the ground conditions it will be faced with, the right type of chain pattern and teeth can be chosen before rolling out onto a jobsite.

“For good digging conditions, teeth are spaced as close together along the chain as possible — this carries more material to the surface quicker due to more contact lift points along the chain,” explains Bauserman. “For sticky digging conditions, only every other tooth is installed along the chain. This allows room for the chain to discharge the sticky material, rather than packing between the closely spaced teeth that are typically used for good digging conditions.”

Aside from the placement of the teeth on the trencher chain, picking the right type of teeth for the chain is the next step in tailoring a trencher to an operator’s demanding work. Cup cutting teeth are the most common style of teeth for a trencher. This particular style of tooth is ideal for work in most ground conditions and is designed with a front-cutting edge that’s shaped to dig and move spoil out of the trench. If a project demands a more thorough dig, a combination of cup teeth and specialty teeth can be used. Rostberg notes: “The carbide teeth assist with the tougher ground conditions, while cup teeth help remove material from the trench. Another combination option is a shark and cup teeth chain for even tougher ground conditions.” Other specialty teeth include scorpion, H-plate, alligator, rock and frost, which lend a hand in trenching through more complex ground conditions.

After finding the right attachment for his or her tool carrier, an operator should also take notice of other implements that can assist a trencher in completing its tasks. Dozer blades and trench fillers are ideal pieces of equipment to complement a trencher. With a blade, an operator is able to drive parallel to the trench to backfill while following the contour of the ground, says Rostberg. A trench filler is a plus because it makes filling a trench easier for an operator once trenching is complete.

One other important attachment to consider for trenching projects would be a land leveler. This particular implement helps level the land after a trench is refilled, explains Ron Peters, product manager for CEAttachments. An attachment like a land leveler is quite useful to restore order to disrupted ground after a project is completed. Land levelers are available in widths of 72, 78 and 84 in. and cost between $1,400 to $1,800, depending on the size.

Optimum Operation

After the ideal implement is selected for the job, proper and safe equipment operation is the next step in performing productive trenching work. Before getting out on the jobsite and trenching, a contractor should always check for buried underground utilities to avoid any potential damage or injuries while digging. The operator’s manuals for both the attachment and skid steer should be consulted prior to trenching. This way an operator will be informed about proper operating practices to ensure efficient and safe work.

When an operator is ready to start trenching, he or she should leave adequate room to maneuver the machine and implement. “Allow about 4 ft of travel until the trencher reaches the spot where you want the trench to actually start — this is the approximate distance it takes to reach full desired trenching depth,” says Bauserman.

Another operating tip to consider is the angle at which the attachment is working. For example, Peters recommends that an operator should angle the trencher slightly around 60 degrees. “A lot of people want to dig at 90 degrees, but it uses a lot more horsepower and it slows your trenching effort down,” he adds. “Operating at a slight angle leads to more productive work.”

By selecting the right attachment for the project at hand and pairing it with a trusty workhorse like a skid steer, contractors can complete a broad range of tasks with proper operating know-how. Whether the to-do list calls for installing broadband for a community or an irrigation system for a landscape client, this machine and implement duo can make heavy-duty trenching work less of a backbreaking experience.

Pam Stask is assistant editor of Compact Equipment, based in Peninsula, Ohio.