Trenchers
National Trench Safety appoints Fernando Pinera as new CEO
National Trench Safety (NTS), the nation’s largest pure play trench safety solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Fernando Pinera as its new CEO, effective April 1, 2024.
OSHA hits Georgia-based company with $300,000 fine after fatal trench collapse
A Georgia-based company faces a hefty fine exceeding $300,000 from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) due to alleged safety breaches stemming from a trench collapse incident that resulted in the death of a worker in Macon.
OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
A federal inquiry into safety practices following a fatal trench collapse near Fulshear, Texas, has resulted in penalties exceeding $250,000 for a Houston-area contractor.
NUCA opens state-of-the-art trench rescue training facility in Urbandale, Iowa
(UI) — This state-of-the-art facility is set to play a crucial role in enhancing the safety of industry employees who work in subsurface excavations and help prepare those in the state who are leading the rescue at any accident scene.
Contractor killed in San Francisco trench collapse, prompts investigation
(UI) — A contractor in San Francisco's Lower Haight died on Sept. 28 after a trench beneath a sidewalk collapsed. While five workers managed to escape, one male worker became trapped under eight feet of dirt and debris.
Mastenbroek, Port Industries unveil first-ever utility trencher for North American market
The Bulldog’s compact, yet incredibly powerful design, meets the needs of utility cable and pipeline contractors.
Choosing the right trencher: Benefits, configurations, performance optimization
(UI) — Many contractors use excavators to handle the bulk of trenching work because they already have them in their fleet. However, excavators aren’t always the optimal machine for the job, especially in challenging ground like rock and hard clay.
Trenchless methods: Trenchers remain valuable for utility construction
(UI) — In the 1970s, new residential developments were being built with all utilities underground. Of course, water, sewer, and gas lines always had been buried, but now telephone and electric dissertation wires were, too, as would cable television services that would come later.
Fiber Broadband Association digs into microtrenching’s ability to close the digital equity gap
(UI) — The new Fiber Broadband Association white paper explores multiple fiber deployment styles, including microtrenching, horizontal directional drilling, plowing, conventional trenching, and missile boring.
Mastenbroek to unveil first-ever utility trencher the Bulldog
(UI) — Mastenbroek plans to launch its first-ever utility trencher the Bulldog, a small footprint, compact yet incredibly powerful trencher designed to meet the need of utility cable and pipeline layers, in March.
Staggering rise in trenching deaths spurs Department of Labor to enhance enforcement, oversight
In 2022’s first six months, 22 workers have fallen victim to the deadly hazards present in trenching and excavation work – surpassing 15 in all of 2021 – and prompting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to launch enhanced enforcement initiatives to protect workers from known industry hazards.
Microtrenching: Faster, Cost-Effective Solution for Fiber Installation
Microtrenching can provide a faster, cost-effective method for installation, particularly in congested urban areas. It offers contractors the best of both worlds: the efficiency of traditional techniques with the simple clean-up of a trenchless application.
Trenching Electric Conduit in New Mexico
When soil conditions are right and disturbing the ground’s surface is acceptable or not an issue, trenching is the fastest, most economical way to make underground installations.
Track Trenchers Provide Competitive Advantage for Contractors
Two Texas contractors doing different applications of work have found adding track trenchers to their fleet has kept them ahead of schedule and on budget.
Barbco
The co-owner and general manager of Barbco conducted a seminar at about trench safety.
Rock, Weather, Tight Deadlines are No Match for Horizon Pipeline
Pipeline construction projects across America have flurried in recent years, with miles of natural gas line being added almost daily. The bulk of new lines is being constructed in the prolific Permian Basin, with midstream energy companies, like Targa Resources Corporation, expanding to support growing demand for natural gas and liquified natural gas (LNG) exports.
Trenching In Tennessee
Cleary Construction is involved in a major project to relocate and replace utility lines in Smyrna, Tenn. Moving the utilities is necessary due to a road widening project to improve traffic flow in this growing community located about 20 miles southeast of Nashville.
Trencor Update Strengthens 1400-Series Trencher Line
American Augers/Trencor, a Charles Machine Works company, released the first large-scale upgrade to its proven 1400-series trencher line. The new T14-54/617 offers an emissions-compliant engine, state-of-the-art electronics and customer-requested features. “The T14 pays tribute to the venerable 140..
First Look: Ditch Witch Introduces Unique Track Trencher
Ditch Witch has introduced a new 275-horsepower track trencher named the HT275. With its power and 70,000-plus pounds of mass, the HT275 is significantly smaller than most big track trenchers, can do jobs that smaller trenchers can’t, and is much more versatile than other trenchers of comparable si..
Rock Trenching Water Lines in the Desert
The rippling current of the 2008 U.S. housing market collapse struck more than just new home construction in cities like Phoenix, Ariz. It halted planned infrastructure improvements, and the combination proved fatal to many companies whose livelihood depended on the two sectors. A decade later, the..
Ditch Witch MT16 Microtrencher Saves Time, Money On Fiber Deployments
To increase productivity and improve ROI on fiber job sites, Ditch Witch, a Charles Machine Works Company, has introduced the MT16 microtrencher. The cost-effective machine creates an ideal trench in a single, quick and efficient pass when working with the Ditch Witch RT55 or RT80 ride-on trenchers,..
Vac-Tron Equipment Develops Game Changer In Micro Trenching
Primarily an installation method for fiber networks, micro trenching involves cutting a narrow and relatively shallow trench, usually on an asphalt roadway. During the process, a vacuum system connected to the cutter wheel cleanly diverts and transports debris away from the worksite. Once the condui..
Trencher Tractor Care Often Overlooked
Trade magazine articles and online content about maintaining trenching equipment often focus on the digging components of the machine. Certainly, failure to maintain trencher drive and digging chain and teeth limits productivity, can cause excess wear of tractor components and risks costly breakdow..
14th Annual Ditch Witch Customer Event Draws 320 Attendees From 24 Countries
Ditch Witch, a Charles Machine Works Company, hosted its 14th annual international customer event at the Ditch Witch Barcelona Support Center in Spain. As one of the largest underground construction events in Europe, 320 customers attended, representing 24 countries across Europe, the Middle East an..
Track Trencher Maintenance Crucial To Up-Time
Underground Equipment Maintenance: Track Trencher Maintenance Operation of any type of construction equipment results in wear of essential components. Regular track trencher maintenance and replacement of worn parts when necessary keeps equipment productive and extends a machine’s service life. We..
OptiCut Digging System Optimizes Productivity Designed For Walk-Behind Trenchers
Ditch Witch announced its exclusive OptiCut digging system for use behind walk-behind trenchers, designed to enhance machine productivity in all soil conditions, tailored to complement contractor and rental company equipment with its maintenance-free teeth and 19,000-lbs. of tensile strength. The c..
Ditch Witch® to Unveil New Rental Equipment at The Rental Show
Ditch Witch®, a Charles Machine Works Company, will reveal its new C- and CX-Series walk-behind trenchers at The Rental Show, Feb. 22-24 in Atlanta. New Ditch Witch equipment includes a line of walk-behind trenchers with six models – the C12, C14, C16, C16X, C24X and C30X. Each trencher is designed..
New Ditch Witch C- and CX-Series Walk-Behind Trenchers
Designed to Maximize Return on Investment Ditch Witch® , a Charles Machine Works Company, has introduced the new C- and CX-Series walk behind trenchers to provide contractors and rental companies with greater performance, reliability and serviceability. Exclusive to the Ditch Witch organization, t..
Rubber Tire Trencher: Toro
The Toro RT600 riding trencher is built to deliver smooth, consistent performance in tough digging conditions. The RT600 is the only trencher in its class using a flywheel, torsion shaft and planetary gear reduction system. The flywheel minimizes trencher stalls, the torsion shaft absorbs shock load..
New Products
John Deere The Final Tier 4 444K, 524K and 544K utility-class wheel loaders’ PowerTech engine deliver impressive torque, 444K (124 hp), 524K (141 hp), 544K (163 hp), to help maintain good boom and bucket speed in and out of the pile for heaped loads, even in wet or hard-packed material. The K-Seri..
- DeLa Express seeks FERC approval for Permian-to-Louisiana gas pipeline project
- OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
- Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
- Nevada OSHA fines Elon Musk's Boring Company over safety violations in Vegas tunnel project
- Damage prevention and safety: Turning awareness into action
- Ditch Witch 1030
- Michigan lawmakers introduce bills to create septic codes throughout the state
- Indiana American Water to gain 8,000 water customers with Silver Creek Water acquisition
- Arkansas governor allocates $42 million for water infrastructure projects
- Federal judge finds Flint, Mich, in contempt over lead water pipe crisis