So what do you have planned
this summer? Are you planning to install the underground dog fence to keep
Rover from, well, roving? Is it finally time to add curb appeal with
low-voltage lighting? Maybe you’ve decided it’s time for a sprinkler system. If
you have any type of job planned where trenches need to be dug, you need to
give serious consideration to using a walk-behind trencher.

 

Certainly you can accomplish
your goal with hand tools. But you’ll save quite a bit of time with the proper
power tool, such as a walk-behind trencher. Even more important than your time,
you’ll save your back with this handy tool. Unless you are a professional
landscaper, you probably only need a trencher once or twice. Fortunately,
Action Rental and Sales has trenchers available for rent, allowing you to get
your job done with minimal investment.

 

For projects where a narrow
trench is needed for burial of underground electric lines, water lines, etc., a
trencher offers many benefits over other types of digging equipment such as
excavators. Trenchers create a smooth floor and smooth sides. In addition,
trench floors are even, which is difficult to accomplish with an excavator.
Trenchers also grind the soil into a fine state as it is removed. This makes
that soil ideal for use as backfill.

 

Regardless of how you dig
your trench, the first step should always be a simple phone call to 811. About
a week before you start your job, make the call, and they will send all
utilities to your dig site to mark any underground wires and pipes. Trenching
unmarked ground is a major safety hazard. As the old saying goes, “If you break
it, you buy it.” That’s true for any underground utilities you damage. And the
fact is that monetary loss could be the least of your worries in this
situation. The call to 811 is free, and it’s definitely worth your time.

 

Once you know it’s safe to
run a trench on your site, you can plan out the area where you plan to dig.
Landscape paint, similar to what the utility companies will use to mark
underground lines, is an easy way to mark your path. If you are renting a
walk-behind trencher, pay special attention to the safety precautions. The team
at Action Rental and Sales will walk you through the process of operating any
of our trenchers. Here are a few safety tips that apply to all trenchers:

–       
Wear appropriate protective
equipment, such as a hard hat, safety glasses, ear protection and protective
boots.

–       
Never wear loose
clothing or jewelry that can catch on the trencher during use.

–       
Keep onlookers away from
the jobsite while operating the trencher.

Like any tool, a walk-behind trencher takes a little
practice to get the hang of how it is used. Following these tips will help keep
you on the right track as you use the tool to complete your project:

–       
Before starting, perform
a worksite inspection, taking note of all obstructions, drop-offs and steep
slopes.

–       
Operate the trencher’s
engine at full throttle while trenching.

–       
Start the trencher
before lowering the cutting parts to the ground.

–       
Avoid making sharp,
sudden turns while trenching.

 

With
proper site preparation, the right tools and a little practice, a walk-behind
trencher is sure to speed your landscaping project. The pros at Action Rentaland Sales are glad to help you choose the trencher that is right for your job,
and they will show you how to use it. If you need delivery and pick-up of the
trencher, they can arrange that as well. So if this summer’s project requires
digging of trenches, remember you can save both time and your back with the
right tool: a walk-behind trencher.