Comparing Trenchers to Compact Excavators

December 29th, 2008 | Tags:

With regards to the comparison of trenchers to compact excavators, both of the machines are popular, very highly productive and also affordable and when it comes to laying piping or cables underneath the ground, both the trencher and the compact excavator have helped the process to become easier. They can both do many tasks that they are expected to complete, but there are some main differences in how they complete the task and also how they perform in residential areas and other such places.

Sizing and Pricing Comparison

In residential applications it has been found that utility installations have a dig depth that will average around 40 and 48 inches. The trencher that meets the above requirements will generally have a price tag of around $40,000 and will boast an engine of 20 to 30 horsepower.

The same budget will buy you a compact excavator that also boats a 30 hp engine, and will belong to the 2.5 metric ton class and will find no problems with digging to depths that are 8 feet down or even further, but a trencher that is expected to so a similar job will generally require an engine that is closer to the 100 hp mark and this can cost from $90,000 and more.

Life Costs Comparison

When looking at how much these two different types of machinery will cost over its lifespan, compact excavators will possibly be the better of the two options. Aside from routine maintenance work and fuel, you will only need to fork out for replacing the rubber tracks, which needs to be done after approximately 2,000 hours, and also replacing the bucket teeth.

Trenchers however, tell a different story and it is very often that the sprockets of the machine along with the teeth and digging chain are classed as high wearing items and will need to be replaced at a more regular basis, meaning that the trencher is more likely to cost you more over a longer period of time.

When given this information, you will need to work out whether or not the life span of your trencher or compact excavator will be worth it and if each individual piece of machinery will be able to complete the task at hand without costing a small fortune on a regular basis.

Productivity Comparison

If the trencher is being used in conditions that are deemed to be reasonable, it will very often stand out by way or productivity over the compact excavator. This trencher will generally work up to four times faster and with regards to straight line trenching; will show a better productivity mark. Wooded areas are also another time where the trencher is more likely to excel over the compact excavator and this is mainly due to the tree logs and roots that may prove difficult for the bucket on the compact excavator to deal with.

Versatility Comparison

A compact excavator can very often perform tasks that the trencher cannot and this is more so the case with the added attachments that come with it. However, a good quality trencher will complete a task in a shorter time frame, as long as the task is suitable for the ability that the trencher has.

What needs to be remembered is that the trencher will also very often come with various attachments such as a backhoe attachment, and this can make small work of ploughing through concrete, asphalt, rocks and many other durable materials. A plough attachment can be added to the trencher for soft soil materials and has the ability to plough cables much quicker than other any method or equipment.

The equipment of choice, whether it is a compact excavator or trencher will depend very much on the work that you have in mind for the machine and also how fast you want the task to be completed.

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