Used Trenchers For Sale
Buying a new trencher can cost you quite a bit more then purchasing one of the used trenchers for sale. You can find quite a few good deals on used trenchers for sale by visiting auction sites such as eBay. eBay helps you connect with other contractors and residential homeowners who are looking to recoup the costs that they spent on the machine, that may not be available in your local area, or hard to track down. Before you purchase a used trencher though, you are going to want to take a look at the different types, and how to properly buy the machine to ensure you are getting exactly what you need, without paying too much money for it.
Different Types
Chain Trencher – A chain trencher works exactly as the name describes, with a large chain. Many operators consider these the chainsaws of trenchers because of their design. These types of trenchers are useful for cutting through stone in the ground, as well as any materials that cannot be broken down with an excavator. The chain that surrounds the circular frame can be raised and lowered to the desired cutting depths.
Wheel Trencher – These trenchers offer increased mobility because of the way that they are designed. Wheel trenchers are designed to sit on a frame with four wheels that helps them move around and finish the job much quicker than chain trenchers. They are also cheaper to purchase and maintain than chain trenchers because of their design.
Portable Trencher – Portable trenchers are even more versatile than wheel trenchers, but are designed more for use in a residential environment rather than heavy duty construction environments. You’ll find these types of machines being most commonly used for digging out trenches for irrigation lines in sprinkler systems, as well as edging around various landscaping jobs. Portable trenchers weigh the least, averaging between 150lbs to 200lbs total, which makes them very easy to maneuver.
Rock Wheel Trencher – If a chain trencher doesn’t cut it, you may want to think about a rock wheel trencher. These trenchers are designed like a large circular saw, but feature heavy duty teeth that can apply more force to the material you are removing than a chain trencher is able to. If you have bedrock or solid stone to cut through, you will find yourself using a rock wheel trencher more often than other types of trenchers.
How To Buy
To make sure that you are getting the right sized equipment for your jobs, and that you are not paying too much, you are going to want to take a look at a few key areas outlined below. These different areas are going to help you determine exactly what you need, while also helping you set a budget for the amount of money you can spend on the equipment.
Size And Price – If you are operating a larger scale construction operation, you may need a trencher that has a high horsepower engine, which also means that it comes with a much higher price tag. However, if you are not going to be digging into bedrock or solid stones, you can get away with the typical sized residential style trencher that digs between 40 and 48 inches deep. These trenchers typically feature motors between 25 horsepower and 40 horsepower total, and can cost upwards of $30,000 or more for a brand new model.
Cost To Maintain – You will also want to think about the costs required to properly maintain the trencher. Because of the nature of the work that these machines perform they are going to require periodic maintenance. You may find yourself replacing the tracks, tires, bucket teeth, as well as any sprockets or chains that are in the machine. The engine requires daily maintenance in the form of fuel and oil, which will need to be added onto your overall budget and taken into consideration.
Amount Of Productivity – How much work you are going to need to get done will also help you determine the size and style of trencher you are going to need to do it. If you have a large amount of work, you are going to need a trencher that can work fast, such as a chain or rock wheel trencher. However, if you are simply digging out areas for utility lines, or irrigation lines to be put in, you can use a smaller portable trencher machine.
Machine Versatility – If you are going to need to perform jobs other than digging out trenches for lines, you will want to try to find a machine that has the capability of accepting attachments, such as a backhoe loader. This will help you keep from having to buy multiple machines to get the jobs done.