Trencher rental in Yuba City
A chain trencher that runs on our stand-on mini skid steer. Dig sprinkler, drip, drainage and conduit trenches in a fraction of the time a shovel takes.
What the trencher is for
- Sprinkler and drip lines. Lay out a whole irrigation system in an afternoon.
- Drainage. French drains and downspout lines that move water away from the foundation.
- Electrical and low-voltage conduit. Power to a shop, a gate, landscape lighting or a pool pump.
- Water lines. A new line to a hose bib, a garden or a barn.
- Fence and edging footings. A clean, straight trench for a mow strip or a block wall base.
How it works
The trencher attachment mounts to the front of our mini skid steer. A toothed chain cuts the soil and an auger pushes the spoil to the side of the trench, so the dirt is right there for backfill. Lower the chain into the ground at the start of your line, then back the machine slowly along your path. Switch the trencher for the bucket when you’re done and use it to push the dirt back in.
Before you dig: call 811
Contact 811 or USA North at least two working days before you start. California requires it, it costs nothing, and marking crews will flag the buried gas, power, water and cable lines. Hitting a gas or power line with a trencher is dangerous and expensive. Private lines you put in yourself, like old sprinkler mains or a line to a shed, won’t be marked, so dig carefully near those.
Tips for a clean trench in Yuba-Sutter soil
- Soften hard ground. Late-summer clay can be like concrete. Soak the trench line the day before.
- Mark your path. Use marking paint or string so you trench straight the first time.
- Go slow on the first pass. Let the chain do the cutting. Pushing too fast stalls the chain.
- Plan around trees. Stay out of the drip line of trees you want to keep, or you’ll cut feeder roots.
Booking the trencher
Text or call (530) 649-5285 with the job, your address and how many feet you’re trenching. Or request it online.
Questions
How much does it cost to rent a trencher in Yuba City?
The trencher attachment is $100 a day, $500 a week and $1,300 a month. It runs on our mini skid steer, which is $300 a day, so plan on renting both.
Do I need to call 811 before trenching?
Yes. California law requires you to contact 811 at least two working days before you dig. It’s free. USA North 811 sends crews to mark gas, electric, water and communication lines on your property.
How long does it take to trench a backyard?
In typical Yuba City soil, most homeowners can trench a full sprinkler layout in a few hours once they’re comfortable with the machine. Hard, dry clay goes slower in late summer. Watering the trench line a day ahead softens it.
Is a trencher better than renting a walk-behind trencher?
On a stand-on loader you ride instead of wrestling a walk-behind machine across the yard, and the same rental also moves your dirt and backfills the trench with the bucket.
Renting from a nearby town?
Pickup is in Yuba City. Here’s what renting looks like from each town we serve.