Jul. 07, 2025
Contractors in the market for a ride-on trencher will find several brands and models to choose from, as well as a considerable number of options. We asked the experts how to ensure your new trencher is a profitable addition to your fleet and what features you will find on new models. Local dealer support is key to making that selection. “You can compare specs on a website, but there is nothing like talking to someone who has been there and done that, who can help you determine what you should be buying and why,” says Steve Seabolt, Product Category Manager for Ditch Witch ride-on trenchers and Trencor large-track trenchers. Here are the questions you can expect the dealer to ask.
Profitable trenching requires matching the size of the trencher to the job. According to Ed Savage, Infrastructure Solutions Product Manager for Vermeer, the depth of the trench is dictated by local codes, while trench width is determined based on the size of the pipe or product being installed.
Ditch Witch offers five ride-on trencher models to dig trenches from 4-8 feet deep and widths up to 24 inches. Vermeer offers nine ride-on trencher models to dig 5-8-foot-deep trenches up to 18 inches wide as well as seven large track drive trenchers with a trench cutting capability up to 48 inches wide and as deep as 18 feet. Trencor ride-on trenchers are designed to dig trenches for large-diameter pipelines for oil and gas as well as sewer and water. Trencor offer five models capable of digging trenches 16 inches-6 feet wide and 20-30 feet deep. Micro trenchers offer a faster and more efficient way to dig ditches for fiber optic cable. They dig a one-inch-wide trench 12 to 26 inches deep through asphalt or concrete while a vacuum extractor removes the spoils.
The type of soil you will be digging in plays a big factor in selecting a trencher and digger-chain setup. Different cutters can be attached to the digger chain to get the most productivity and lowest cost of operation out of the machine. Vermeer ride-on trencher models range from 46.8hp to 126hp, while Ditch Witch models range from 49hp to 121 hp. Vermeer’s large track-drive trenchers range from 185hp to 600hp. Trencor models start at 350hp and go up to 950hp. A chain trencher is suitable for digging through mixed soils and softer rock or frost, while a rock saw or micro trencher can manage to dig through concrete and asphalt. Hard rocks require a rock saw or a larger trencher like those manufactured by Trencor. Digging systems also vary. According to Seabolt, in soft soils, chains are equipped with cup teeth while mixed soils may utilize cut teeth, carbide, or PDC (Polycrystalline diamond compact) bits mixed. Harder conditions require HD chains with carbide cutters while sticky conditions may call for 4-pitch chains with offset and space cut cutters.
Both Seabolt and Savage say tracks are increasingly in favor among buyers. “Tracks give you more flotation,” says Savage. “In muddy conditions, tracks are beneficial.”
“Tracks spread the load out and can be friendlier on turf than tires,” adds Seabolt. “The biggest thing is they let you take on more jobs in more conditions.” On the Ditch Witch RT70 and RT80 buyers have the option of setting up with either tires or tracks. “Tracks can be added later, or they can remove the tracks and install tires,” says Seabolt.
Attachments make ride-on trenchers a more versatile machine and that means greater utilization. “A backhoe attachment, vibratory plow, trencher, rock saw or backfill blade can give owners more flexibility,” says Savage.
“You want a trencher that is productive and versatile enough to maximize ROI, that will allow you to take on more jobs and be productive with more uptime,” says Seabolt.
With labor in demand, ride-on trencher manufacturers have focused on improvements that make ride-on trenchers easier to operate. For example, on the Vermeer RTX, the engine automatically slows down the ground speed to keep RPMs in a range for maximum productivity. “In the past, the operator would have to set and adjust different settings to do this,” says Savage. When difficult conditions are encountered while trenching, causing the digger chain to stall, Vermeer’sTrenchSense electronic control system automatically pauses the forward motion of the tractor to prevent engine shutdown. The machine then automatically reverses the ground drive, resumes digger chain motion, and automatically starts moving the machine forward again, all without operator input. Similarly, Vermeer’s auto plunge cut helps operators start the ditch. “Auto plunge takes the operator error out of a task that can be tricky for a new operator, eliminating the chance of stalling the digger chain,” says Savage.
“Ditch Witch continues to make the controls on ride-along trenchers more intuitive, shortening the learning curve for operators,” says Seabolt. Increased commonality across all the Ditch Witch ride-on trenchers makes it easy for operators to go from model to model and be productive. Anti-stall technology prevents the engine from stalling and dying when you encounter rock or debris while working. According to Seabolt, the chain can be cleared with the push of a button. Other operator-friendly features include an enhanced rear-steer indicator that allows for easy viewing of the rear wheel positioning and a Trench Depth Meter that provides remote measures of depth and distance via sensors mounted to the tractor and digging attachment, thus eliminating the need for manual measurements.
Both Savage and Seabolt agree that more attention is being paid to operator comfort. They are seeing more units specified with climate-controlled cabs and interest in ergonomic features. The Ditch Witch RT70 features a 120-degree rotating seat, more leg room, and enhanced visibility. On the Vermeer consoles, all controls are placed on the right. “Since most operators turn to the right, it makes for better ergonomics,” says Savage.
Maneuverability can be an important buying consideration as well. For tight jobsites contractors should look for ride-on trenchers with a compact profile such as the Ditch Witch RT45 and the Vermeer RTX450.
According to Seabolt, maintenance has been an area of focus for Ditch Witch. “All of the daily maintenance points are in one area, making it easy and convenient for the operator,” says Seabolt. Both Vermeer and Ditch Witch provide telematic software to help equipment owners monitor and manage their machines. A strong dealer with readily available parts and service will not only help you maximize your trencher uptime but will help you select the right ride-on trencher for the job.
5 Must-Ask Questions When Renting a Trencher
Choosing the Right Concrete Pump for the Job
Vacuum excavators, hydrovac, or vacuum trucks continue to become increasingly popular among construction contractors, especially for those specializing in utilities. Using a hydrovac instead of a normal excavator allows crews to bring underground utilities to daylight for repair, inspection, or verification; also called daylighting or potholing. By using a hydrovac, or vac truck (hydro excavation) to dig instead of a typical excavator (mechanical excavation), the risks of underlying utilities are significantly decreased.
Not only are vac trucks quite niche in their application, but they’re also costly. If you are in the market for one, consider the following.
How much can the truck hold? Vac trucks have two tanks—one water tank and one debris tank. Once the debris tank is full, the vac truck has to dump the content from its debris tank before it can continue excavating. Being able to carry more will result in fewer trips to the dump, which means more time excavating and making money.
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Foremost vac trucks come in tandem and tri-axle configurations. Knowing the weight you want to carry and how much you can legally carry will help you choose how many axles you need.
“Helping customers understand their needs, including the number of axles they need to carry the desired load is where I begin the customer journey when a customer doesn’t know what they need,” says Rod Bischke, General Manager of Summit Truck Bodies (Summit Truck Equipment in Canada)--Foremost Vac Trucks distributor and manufacturer of high-quality, custom-designed truck bodies.
A hydrovac is different than a mechanical excavator in that the vac truck can’t dump its load anywhere. With dry excavation (using an excavator), the dirt can be deposited anywhere. However, once you introduce water into the process, now the excavated material has to be dumped at specific sites that collect what is considered to be contaminated material.
“Someone working in the patch in Alberta who doesn’t have to worry about traveling main highways while loaded may choose to buy the biggest truck they can afford, so they can dig all day without leaving to dump the collected material,” says Tom O’Brien, Customer Liaison at Foremost Vac Trucks. “Also, DOTs are pulling over hydrovac trucks more regularly than they did 15 years ago. And drivers are getting ticketed, so they’re becoming more conscious of their truck’s capacity and the legal weight limits.”
The flip side to carrying as much weight as you can is to be small and maneuverable.
“Someone in downtown Toronto who has to maneuver small streets and a lot of traffic will want something smaller. Of course, if you work in a city like Toronto, it can take two hours to drive to a dump site, so you can spend more time traveling than digging,” says O’Brien. “It’s all about where they’re working the most.”
To satisfy the needs of various clients, Foremost started the Rival line a few years ago in addition to their line of Conventional vac truck line and why they build their models in four different model sizes. “The customer in Chicago wants something completely different than the customer in Montana,” says O’Brien.
According to O’Brien, some people want a larger blower size for stronger suction, while others want dual hose reels or larger booms. Other customers prefer one brand over another brand just because of how each one empties its waste.
“When shopping between hydrovac manufacturers, it’s like choosing between Chevy, GM, and Ford. Everyone has their preferences. And each one has things people like and things people don’t like,” says O’Brien.
Always inquire about what options are available. There could be a feature available you didn’t realize could be a great benefit to you.
For example, the Foremost Rival line can be equipped with a misting kit, which gets applied to incoming dry material to make it fall faster. They can also be equipped with hydraulic connections, so customers can run a tamper or jackhammer, or other powered equipment off the rear of a truck instead of bringing in a separate machine or power source.
All equipment breaks down—no matter which brand you buy—what’s more important is how fast you can get it back on the road, says Bischke.
“I used to own and operate equipment before becoming a distributor, and what I found was one of the biggest problems was the lack of service,” says Bischke. “Since we can service our customers’ trucks across Canada, it’s a huge benefit for us and our customers. Readily available parts and service is one of the reasons people seek out Foremost Vac Trucks.”
When it comes to buying a hydrovac, don’t look for discounts. For many manufacturers, inventories are tight, supply chains are slowing down sales, and there’s a lot of competition for new equipment.
“The only way to pay less is to take your chances at the auction,” says Bischke. “However, Foremost vac trucks are designed to decrease owning and operating costs.”
“On our Conventional line, we put a bigger door on the debris tank for easy removal of debris, which saves time cleaning, says O’Brien. “We’ve also improved the filtration system so there’s less wear and tear on filters. These filters can cost $. And these trucks go through filters quickly. If we can lengthen the life of the filters, we can save our customers some money.”
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Pros - Cons Of A Vacuum Excavator
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