Trench excavation machine

Types of trench excavation machines

Trench excavation machines are available in different models and types, each suited for specific tasks and requirements. The following are some common types of trench digging machines:

• Tracked excavators

  A tracked excavator is a machine with a house that rotates 360 degrees on a track or wheeled undercarriage. It is designed to have a movable arm equipped with attachments like buckets, side cutters, and others. This machine is controlled by an operator from a cab. Due to their large size, tracked excavators are suitable for deep and wide trench excavations. They are commonly used for utility installations and large infrastructure projects that require great excavation depth and volume.

• Mini excavators

  Similar to the tracked excavator, a mini excavator is smaller, more compact, and suitable for smaller-scale trench excavations, tight spaces, or urban areas. Like their larger counterparts, mini excavators have an articulated arm and interchangeable attachments. They come in different sizes and are ideal for digging trenches for residential utility projects, water pipes, and irrigation systems.

• Trencher

  A trencher is a digging machine specifically designed to dig trenches with great accuracy. Trenchers come in different sizes - large on-road and smaller off-road. Large and standard chain trenchers are used for larger-scale projects on road and bigger, while smaller ones are used for small, localized projects. Unlike other trencher types, chain trenchers have a series of chains positioned closely together, which are powered by hydraulic or mechanical motors.

• Vacuum excavators

  A vacuum excavator is a machine used to safely expose buried utilities or other structures. This machine comprises a digger pot, a high-pressure water system, and a vacuum system for material transfer and separation. Vacuum excavators can be truck-mounted or trailer-mounted. Unlike conventional digging machines, a vacuum excavator uses hydro-excavation and suction to excavate soil. This makes it an ideal option for sensitive or delicate digging projects, like when working around utilities or utilities.

• Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Rigs

  An HDD rig is a machine purposely designed to perform trenchless digging. HDD rigs use a guided drilling method to horizontally drill boreholes while also creating a small diameter pilot trench. The machine creates a pilot hole, and necessary pipelines, cables, or conduits are then pulled through the hole. HDD machines are most suitable for crossing beneath roads, rivers, or other obstacles and when working in environmentally sensitive areas.

Specification and Maintenance

Machine trenches are essential moving parts of any construction project; in that regard, they have to be of the right size and weight to be of any use. Here are a few industry-standard specifications for machine excavators and trenchers:

• Cutting Width and Depth: The cutting width and depth are the most important specifications for a trench digging machine, as they determine the width of the trench and how deep it will be dug. Different types of trench excavation machines have varying cutting widths and depths depending on their sizes and what they are built to do.
• Power Source: The excavator machine's power source is responsible for producing the tractive efforts required to move the soil and operate any other functions. Trenching machines may be powered by hydraulic systems, diesel engines, electric motors, or any other recognizable engine.
• Cutting Chain or Disk: The type of component of the machine that is responsible for cutting through the soil directly plays a significant role in the excavator's overall ability to cut through diverse soil types. This will also determine excavation efficiency.
• Operating Controls: The excavator controls are usually in the form of hydraulic levers, joysticks, electric buttons, or any other means that allow the machine operator to control and direct the excavator's functions, movements, and actions.

Overall, the excavator machine will need maintenance checks from time to time to maintain its performance and keep it in a good, intact state. The maintenance is often done on the moving parts of the excavator that have seen wear and tear after extended use.

• Fluid Levels: Throughout its working life, a trench digging machine would have required various fluids to run smoothly, including fuel, engine oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant, grease, etc. Therefore, it is paramount to check the fluid levels to ensure they are at the required levels and top them off whenever necessary.
• Cleaning: Excessive dirt and debris build-up can lead to serious and sometimes fatal accidents. Therefore, it is always a good idea to clean the excavator machine and its components from time to time to maintain optimal performance and prevent the risk of accidents.
• Inspection: The trench excavation machine should be thoroughly inspected regularly. The things to look out for through inspection are hoses, belts, chains, cuts, cracks, etc. Early detection of issues like abnormal wear and tear can save the machine from grave consequences.

Scenarios of using the trench excavation machine

Using an excavator trenching attachment, there are several scenarios where this excavating machine may be useful in an industry application or in the home.

• Utility Installation

As per the attachment's name, the first and obvious industry application for using a trencher excavator is when utilities are being installed underground. This includes gas pipelines, drainage systems, electrical and fiber optic cables.

• Landscaping Projects

When there is a need for making differing landscape features, an excavator can be used to dig trenches for creating features like ponds and decorative landscape borders. With the help of the trencher attachment, landscaping drainage solutions can be created by digging trenches for drainage pipes or trenches to create landscape borders and irrigation.

• Foundation Work

If there is a need to create a foundation for a new construction use a trench digging machine to dig out the foundation. The trencher excavator can also be used to dig footings of required depth and width for supporting walls and fences as well as shallow foundations.

• Construction Joints

In the case of constructing control joints in concrete, the jointer plays a vital role. If a solid concrete needs to be jointed, it is ideal to use the motorized concrete jointer as it would provide a precise and efficient solution. Typically, concrete trenches are made to prevent the concrete from cracking by creating predetermined openings through which the cracks can occur.

• Trenching for Tree Roots

In an excavation scenario where significant landscaping and trees are an important part of the property, one may wish to remove tree roots without harming the tree. In such a scenario, a trencher excavator can be useful. Instead of uprooting a tree, one can dig a trench around the roots. This will allow for future excavations and the tree may continue to grow unbothered.

How to choose trench excavation machines

When buying a trench digging machine for sale, it's important to consider the factors that will impact their purchasing decision and the customer base. These factors are property size, soil types, number of trenches needed, size and weight capacity, budget, and customer support.

Small, walk-behind trenchers are ideal for residential property because most projects will not require an extensive or deep trench. Other trench excavation machine types suitable for small properties are chain trenchers and vibratory plow . Customers with large properties or commercial land to dig will most likely need a more powerful model like the heavy-duty chain trencher. Earthmover-sized trencher machines will also be suitable for industrial land.

Soil type is an important factor when choosing a trencher. Rocky soils will require a more powerful machine with strong digging teeth. Vibratory plows are ideal for loose and sandy soil.

When purchasing trencher machines in bulk, the retailer should calculate their budget to determine how many they can buy. It helps to compare quotes from different suppliers. Retailers should also consider buying trench excavation machines in bulk to negotiate for discounts.

It's important to choose a supplier that offers good customer support. Suppliers that offer a warranty on the product are more likely to offer better customer support. The retailer should also verify the supplier's product knowledge to ensure they will receive the support they need when required.

Trench Excavation Machine Q&A

Q1 What is another name for a trenching machine?

A1 In the engineering field, a trench excavating machine is also called a trencher.

Q2 How does a trenching machine work?

A2 Trenching machines dig and lift soil in an inverse conveyor belt-like manner. The digging chain's angle and movement direct the excavated soil into a pile or back onto the ground in an excavated trench.

Q3 What are the two main methods of trenching used in engineering?

A3 The two most commonly used methods of trenching are the open cut method and the horizontal directional drilling method.

Q4 Are trenching machines safe to use?

A4 Trencher machines are considered safe excavation methods when monitored and used properly. Nonetheless, they are still considered high-risk excavating machines. Operators must be adequately trained and familiar with the excavator's features and controls. The excavating site's soil composition must also be known to the excavator operator. In this manner, the digging depth can be properly set so that underground utilities are not damaged.