Trencher (machine)
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A trencher is piece of construction equipment used to dig trenches, typically for laying pipes or cable, or for drainage. Trenchers may range in size from walk-behind models, to attachments for a skid loader or tractor, to very heavy tracked engineering vehicles. Depending on the type of digging implement, a trencher may be classified as a chain trencher or a rockwheel.
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[edit] Chain trencher
A chain trencher cuts with a digging chain that is driven around a rounded metal frame, or boom. It resembles a giant chainsaw. This type of trencher can cut ground that is too hard to cut with a bucket-type excavator.
The angle of the boom can be adjusted to control the depth of the cut. To cut a trench, the boom is held at a fixed angle while the machine creeps forward.
[edit] Rockwheel
A rockwheel is a toothed metal wheel—effectively a giant circular saw. Rockwheels can cut harder ground than a chain trencher, including cutting through solid stone. They are also used to cut pavement for road maintenance and to gain access to utilities under roads.
The teeth on a rockwheel are removable and made of high strength steel (HSLA steel, tool steel or high speed steel) or tungsten. When the machine is under heavy use, the teeth may need to be replaced as frequently as every day.
[edit] Applications
A trencher may be combined with a drainage pipe or geotextile feeder unit and backfiller, so drain or textile may be placed and the trench filled in one go.
[edit] See also
- Bucket-wheel excavator, a larger cousin of the trencher.
- Paddys motorbike, a type of trench compactor.
