It’s important to identify the trencher’s role on the jobsite. Will it be replacing excavators that had previously done the trenching work? Find out how the trencher will fit with existing equipment and the efficiencies gained by adding it to a jobsite machinery lineup.

Determining the right-sized trencher is dependent on the type of ground conditions the machine be working in. Smaller, lower-horsepower machines are efficient in soft soils, but as the relative hardness of the ground increases, so do the demands on the machine. Trenching harder rock requires more weight and horsepower, and the right trencher will handle the application better.

Before employing a trencher on your next project, you also need to determine whether buying a unit or renting is the right fleet-management decision. If future projects lead you to believe that you’ll be able to keep a trencher busy consistently, outright ownership likely makes economic sense. On the other hand, if you think you will only need a trencher more sporadically or only on select jobs, renting may be a more practical strategy.

If you’re still on the fence about whether you should consider using a trencher for your next large-diameter project, visit The Trencher Effect site to learn about all the other benefits a dedicated trencher can deliver on your next trenching job.