What is the British english name for a 'trencher'?

Jan 27, 2019 Last reply: 7 years ago 23 Replies

I assume we must have a different name for these over here as I can't find any for sale here. So what do we call what the americans call a 'trencher' - that's a thing for digging a trench. (I don't mean a backhoe, I mean a simpler device specifcally for trenches)


Entrenching tool.

Cheers

A picture of what you're looking for would help. When I google for images of an American Trencher, a whole range of tools come up.

But here are some possibilities that look like the most common ones:

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Or perhaps one of these, variously known as a mattock or grub-axe.

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I have a 'trenching spade". Bought many years ago, quite narrow - long handle.

Trencher?

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At least it was when I worked for British gas at the ERS.
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If you were to describe it in detail, we might know what to call it - size, shape, electric/engine/manual.

Wikipedia has

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with pictures.

Mattock. Those of us lucky enough to have had an Adventure Playground near us that we could muck about it, dig tunnels, build fires, and be issued with dangerous tools like mattocks without supervision, will remember them well.

Yes, after much searching I have come to the conclusion that we also call it a trencher, it's just that they're not so popular over here.

I'm looking (maybe) for one to hang on my tractor.

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etc

Makes a change from

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Owain

I assumed he meant one of these.

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In article snipped-for-privacy@mid.individual.net>, Steven snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com writes

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I have a thing called a trench spade. Just a longer narrow spade blade. Helpful with post holes.

In article <270120191617518409% snipped-for-privacy@greenbee.net, Tim Streater snipped-for-privacy@greenbee.net writes

Extremely useful all round tool. Maximum havoc minimum time and effort.

Not something you use on tractor.

One of these works a lot better

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blimey, waffle waffle about hand tools when it has been obvious from the first post he was talking about those chain trenching machines similar to the ones made by the brand name ditch witch, and you can get ones to hang off a tractor.

I was going to suggest a bloke from Eastern Europe who digs it manually. Brian

:-), correct, but I wasn't particularly explicit in my original posting. It's all been fairly sensible.

It looks as if it may make sense for me to hire a 'pedestrian' trench digging machine as they don't cost all that much for a day or two and it is really only a one-off requirement.

Trencher is a british english name for a serving board..

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