February 12, 2025

A trencher is used to create a narrow excavation below the surface of the ground within a broad range of construction and infrastructure projects and sites. Trenches are characterised by being deeper than they are wide, when directly comparing with a ditch, a hole, or a pit. Working with a plant leasing company will help you to find the right equipment and machinery for trenching and various other tasks around a construction site. It is important to understand what is available to you and how a professional, expert team of plant hire experts are there to help you maximise any task.

Is there a different between trenching and excavating?

Every trench is an excavation, that is for certain. It isn’t the case though that every excavation is a trench. This can be seen in the description of an excavation being any man-made cavity, trench, or depression that is formed below the surface of the ground through the removal of earth. A trench must have a greater depth than width, with the width never exceeding 15 feet, whereas an excavation can be any shape or size.

Why do we need trenches?

You see trenches used in a wide range of construction, infrastructure, and civil engineering projects. This is a technique uses to help with the process of laying electrical cables, sewage lines, pipes, or telephone wires. On residential plots of land trenching is used to help dig irrigation or to install plumbing connections, pipes for heating systems, or electricity cables. On a wider level, trenching is used to deliver drainage and sewer lines.

Are there different types of trenches?

The shape and purpose of the trench will determine its type:

  • Straight trench – this is a trench with parallel sides that are at right angles to the base
  • Sloped trench – angled sides that prevent cave-ins on new construction sites or when installing large pipes
  • Bell-bottom pier hole – these trenches have a narrower top than bottom, in a bell shape. Used for footing installation to support foundations
  • Benched – a trench with sides that have been cut away in the shape of steps

Every project will have a different requirement of course and understanding the type of trench will help determine the type of help you need from your plant hire specialists. Ensure you use the best machinery for the most effective, safest outcome.

Trenches are an important part of the vast majority of major construction and infrastructure projects. Undertaking such tasks requires precision, high levels of safety standards, and the use of the best machinery and equipment around. Choosing a plant hire service that ticks all these boxes will help you go a long way to completing trenching tasks on time, safely, and within budget, before moving on to the next phase of the project. Your plant hire company will have the latest models of equipment, the highest standards of safety for trenching, operational advice and training, and the ability to deliver to any site on time. Make sure you choose the right partner for your plant lease needs.