By Jonathan Kozlowski, Rental Magazine editor.
Featured in: Rental Magazine
From digging a trench for utility installation to a variety of landscape, hardscape and construction-grade tasks, trenchers are one of the easiest and most affordable solutions for underground work. Designed to meet specific needs for the homeowner and contractor alike, these machines offer benefits such as:
- A significant increase in efficiency and speed for the job at hand
- Project time and labor cost reduction
- Precise control over trench dimensions, ensuring consistent and accurate results
- Able to handle various ground conditions and adapt to diverse tasks with interchangeable attachments
With a focus on ride-on vs walk-behind models and why one might be a better option than the other, should your customer require a trencher, here is some insight to help. Understanding the specific needs of the project at hand will help choose the best equipment for their particular job conditions to ensure productivity and efficiency. Regardless, both are designed to meet specific needs, ensuring that operators can choose the best equipment for their particular job conditions.
Project Size
The choice between the two depends on project scale, terrain, budget, and operator comfort, with ride-on trenchers suited for large-scale tasks and walk-behind trenchers for smaller, more precise jobsites.
Ride-On Trenchers – Ideal for larger projects beyond 1,000 ft. or deeper than 48 in. and wider than 6 in., a larger, more powerful ride-on can lend to a smoother ride by absorbing shock and bucking. Due to their larger size, these are best suited for more open areas with space to operate. They boost operator comfort through an ergonomic operator station with user-friendly controls to reduce effort and allow extended work periods.
These larger machines are equipped with powerful engines capable of digging deeper and wider trenches, enabling operators to cover more ground quickly and efficiently. Additionally, with a growing number of attachments, ride-on trenchers give operators the ability to customize their machine to meet almost any jobsite need, maximizing uptime, improving jobsite performance increasing ROI. Along with a higher productivity and ability to handle rougher terrain, the ride-on trencher can come with a higher cost and maintenance requirements.
They’re ideal for heavy-duty projects like utility installations and construction sites on rougher terrain or uneven ground.
Walk-Behind Trenchers – In contract, walk-behind models are more compact though less powerful. Their smaller size allows them to be more versatile and highly maneuverable, while ideal for jobsites with a more even terrain. Great for homeowners and smaller-scale projects, walk-behinds are ideal for shorter work projects like landscaping, installations like irrigation and sprinkler systems, home improvement projects, small utility lines, piping, fencing, etc.
These were designed to be used by operators looking to spend the least amount of time and labor on the jobsite. Operators of walk-behind trenchers can experience fatigue if trenching for a sustained period of time. Suggest a walk-behind if the project areas are limited on space like lawns and backyards with landscaping obstacles—their maneuverability allows operators to more easily navigate around obstacles, enhancing overall performance. Ditch Witch’s CX-series walk-behind trenchers, for example, are easier to transport and operate in confined areas, offering a practical solution for landscapers and contractors working on smaller-scale projects.
Operation of a walk-behind trencher is generally straightforward with fewer controls, they can be an accessible option for less experienced operators.
Walk-behind trenchers come in tracked and wheeled units which provide their own benefits of maneuverability and footprint. Tracked units tend to absorb impact and bucking while trenching.
Digging Into It
Common issues regarding trenchers have included, dig depth, limited maneuverability, traction, and operational difficulty. However, today’s models have significantly addressed these complains with simplified designs by providing more intuitive controls, automatic wheel drive propulsion systems to act like a cruise control adjusting trenching speed based on conditions—eliminating the need to constantly adjust the wheel speed.
Today’s trenchers are also designed to provide more horsepower and enhanced versatility to handle high-demand work with smaller crews, a bonus given the state of the workforce shortage. Ditch Witch, for example, has simplified maintenance by eliminating daily grease points, allowing operators to focus more on their tasks rather than on machine upkeep.
Recent innovations in trenchers have focused on enhancing operator comfort and improving power and efficiency to boost productivity and retain skilled workers in a competitive market. OEMs are incorporating features such as adjustable seats, ergonomic controls, and improved engine designs that push heat away from the operator. Additionally, modern trenchers now often include high-back swivel seats, control consoles, and added legroom to ensure a more comfortable and efficient working environment. These updates, along with enhancements in power and operational efficiency, aim to alleviate operator pain points and prioritize their comfort, ultimately leading to better job performance and satisfaction.
Another crucial aspect is maintenance. A ride-on trencher will typically require more comprehensive maintenance due to their complexity, whereas walk-behind trenchers might be easier and less costly to maintain. It’s recommended that rental companies consider the availability and compatibility of replacement parts, as having readily accessible parts can minimize downtime and keep projects on schedule.
Developed with the assistance of Brant Kukuk, compact equipment product manager for Ditch Witch, and Sarah Barreto, Marketing, Barreto Manufacturing Inc.
