By Karly Rupp
Featured in: Heavy Equipment Guide
For projects that require extensive trenching, ride-on trenchers [LINK] have long been the mainstay machines in the underground construction industry. They are the optimal choice for completing various landscape, hardscape, and construction-grade tasks. From fibre to utility installation, ride-on trenchers empower contractors to tackle tough ground conditions and diverse projects efficiently.
Ride-on trenchers offer:
- Cost-effective solution
- Versatility for various tasks
- Ease of operation
- Operator-focused design for enhanced productivity
Ride-on trenchers are comfortable and easy to operate
Ride-on trenchers combine versatility and comfort to maximize productivity. Today’s ride-on trenchers are designed with operator comfort in mind, which is essential for productivity and job site uptime. For example, Ditch Witch’s PT37 is engineered to alleviate operator pain points and prioritize comfort. Similarly, the RT125 Quad model includes features such as an ergonomic, high-back swivel seat, added legroom, tiltable steering, and crab and coordinated steering.
Ride-on trenchers are also easy to operate. The seat deck and operator controls are consistent across different models, allowing operators to transition between machines with ease.
However, due to their range of sizes and capabilities, contractors must understand their project needs when selecting a trencher. This includes assessing ground conditions, trenching depth requirements, and attachment options. By understanding these factors, contractors can choose the right trencher and attachments, ensuring job site safety and efficiency.
Choose the right ride–on trencher for your needs
Selecting the correct ride-on trencher is dependent on the product being installed. Compact ride-on trenchers are ideal for smaller-diameter installations like electrical, fibre, and utility lines. Larger utilities, such as water, gas, and sewer lines, often require a larger ride-on trencher. For example, if an operator typically installs 4-inch pipes, a compact trencher is suitable. However, for large pipe installations, such as 8- or 12-inch sewer or water lines, a larger trencher is necessary.
Contractors should also understand local job site requirements and regulations for trench depth, which can vary between jurisdictions. For instance, one city may require gas lines to be installed at 48 inches, while another may require a 52-inch installation.
For extensive trenching projects, larger ride-on trenchers offer deeper digging capabilities and increased operator comfort, making them ideal for long-distance installations. These machines are well-suited for mainline work along roads or highways, including long-haul fibre or pipeline projects, typically requiring more than 100 feet of trenching and depths up to 8 feet.
Additionally, ground conditions and soil types are critical factors when selecting the right ride-on trencher and chain configurations. There is a ride-on trencher and chain configuration designed to get the job done, whether in rock, clay, or sandy conditions.
A “combo” chain, which is one of the most popular and versatile configurations, has alternating cup and shark teeth, allowing operators to break through both moderate and tough ground conditions. In contrast, a cup chain excels in sandy soils with little rock.
Consulting with a local dealership is always recommended. Ditch Witch’s dealer network understands its territories well and can recommend a machine and chain suited for specific ground conditions and job sites.
Maintain your trencher for efficiency
To ensure your operators are ready to meet demand and complete jobs efficiently, routine maintenance and regular inspections are vital. Maintenance routines help operators stay ahead of wear and tear, allowing them to address issues promptly. The operator’s manual offers essential information, including maintenance schedules and guidelines for checking fluids, oil, and coolant levels at prescribed intervals. Following the manual’s recommendations helps minimize unwanted downtime.
Daily inspections should include checking all wear items, especially the chain. Proper chain tension is vital for optimal machine performance. A good rule of thumb for checking chain tension on a standard trencher is that two to three fingers should fit between the chain and the lower part of the boom. Additionally, operators should monitor the teeth wear on the chain and sprocket, as these ground-engaging parts wear quickly.
Improperly tensioned chains can lead to premature wear and reduced efficiency. Chains that are too loose will vibrate the equipment and cause unnecessary wear, while overly tight chains will create different wear patterns on the sprocket or sidebars. Larger trenchers require bigger chains that need more sag than smaller equipment. Therefore, maintaining the correct chain tension is essential.
By adhering to these maintenance and inspection practices, operators can ensure their trenchers perform optimally and remain reliable on the job site.
Trenchers are a go-to choice for utility contractors and landscapers when they want to quickly and efficiently install product, which is why it’s so important to ensure these machines are always ready and performing at their best for each new job.
A variety of attachments are available
One of the top reasons ride-on trenchers remain valuable assets to underground construction crews is the variety of attachments available. Options like the standard trencher, backhoe, vibratory plow, and microtrencher transform a ride-on trencher into a multitool for the job site. These attachments enable operators to address various construction needs with a single machine, maximizing uptime, improving job site performance, and increasing ROI.Just as selecting the right trencher is fundamental based on project requirements, operators must also choose the appropriate attachments for each specific task.
For example, a standard trencher attachment typically digs 4 to 5 feet into the ground and creates a trench 6 to 12 inches wide. This trencher attachment is ideal for installing irrigation lines, fiber, or cable.
To install fiber in asphalt or concrete, utility contractors can turn to a microtrencher attachment, which is designed specifically for faster fiber installation. A microtrencher attachment creates narrower trenches (0.5 to 3 inches wide) and is typically working in the gutter pan that parallels the road, causing minimal disruption to the surrounding infrastructure, saving time and money.
A backhoe attachment is stationed at the front of the machine and is used to start and finish a trench. It is beneficial for precise digging near urban hazards and is commonly used in rehabilitation and repair projects. A vibratory plow attachment is used to bury flexible pipe, conduit, and cable. They create less ground disturbance than standard trenchers and are ideal for installations as the machine drives. However, they may be challenging to operate in hard or rocky conditions, which is why contractors have the option to add a rock saw attachment. Rock saws are specifically designed to bury power or fibre in those types of tough conditions.
Consulting knowledgeable dealers can provide valuable insights into selecting the best machine and attachments. Additionally, when installing or changing attachments, it is recommended that operators contact their local equipment dealer for safe exchanges, as these professionals have the proper training and equipment.
Ride-on trencher versatility is essential for underground projects
Ride-on trenchers have long been essential for underground construction projects. With the increasing ability to configure these machines with various attachments, their benefits continue to grow. By staying informed about industry trends and understanding job site considerations, maintenance routines, and attachment options, contractors can enhance job site productivity and efficiency.
