The TerraTrencher™ provides quick, easy, versatile trench digging when and where you need it.
Able to be used either freehand or with a Wheel Support accessory, it digs rapidly with little turf or ground disturbance. This allows rapid back-filling and quick site cleanup, increasing your productivity and profit on every job.
TerraTrencher 500
TerraTrencher 800
The TerraTrencher, originally called a Terrasaw, was invented and developed in Northland, New Zealand by Keith Fergusson. As the world’s first portable powered mini trencher it created a whole new category of digging tool, with unique capabilities. After years of development to meet the extreme demands of commercial trenching, it has become the niche “go-to” tool for an ever-growing range of professional and private users.
TerraTrencher products are manufactured and supplied by Terrasaw Industries Ltd, with our headquarters in East Tamaki, Auckland, NZ.
We are proudly New Zealand owned and operated and have a network of participating Stihl shop dealers throughout Australasia and in several other regions.
TerraTrencher Australia’s Head Office is located in Brisbane and has dealers in all the major centres.
TerraTrencher products are manufactured and supplied by Terrasaw Industries Ltd. Both Terrasaw Industries Ltd and TerraTrencher Global Ltd (our international arm) are New Zealand owned and operated and located in East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand.
TerraTrencher Australia’s Head Office is located in Brisbane and has dealers in all the major centres. We have a network of participating Stihl shop dealers throughout Australasia and in several other regions.
Yes, customers in the greater Auckland area can hire a machine direct from us (booking is required).
The TT500 model can cut a neat trench up to 500mm (20 inches) deep by 38-40mm (1 ½ inches) wide and the TT800 model can cut a trench at least 670mm (26 inches) deep by 38-40mm wide.
All fitted TerraTrencher models are dedicated trenchers, built for professional trenching. Typically each model is sold as a complete unit with a power head specifically matched to the trencher for its torque, power and its superior air filtration system, which we further enhance with our custom filter kits.
However, if a customer already has (or intends to purchase locally) a compatible Stihl power head from the MS 4, 5 or 6 professional series it is possible to directly supply a conversion kit with detailed instructions. Contact us to confirm suitability.
Trenching/burying…
Plus…
even ice fishing!
A TerraTrencher costs much less than conventional diggers but it is hard to compare, being a uniquely portable trenching unit. There is no other trencher available that can perform as well as a TerraTrencher. This patented unit is an engineered design and built to be a professional contractors “Trencher of Choice.” Beware of cheap unsafe copies! If you look at either the capital or hire costs of conventional trenching, including the additional cost of trailers, special transporters, much larger cost of turf re-instatement and the total labour time involved, a TerraTrencher will typically save you significant money.
Yes! The self-sharpening digging teeth enable cutting through tree roots up to 30mm (1 inch) in diameter. In fact some contractors use our equipment for root pruning, root barrier installation, and to undercut and transplant trees.
That really depends on the type of soil. In good loamy or organic soils you can expect to trench for anywhere between 800-1000 metres (3,300 feet) or more per chain. If you are trenching in hard clay, sandstone or rocky conditions you can expect somewhat less distance.
Even in friable soils it is common to unexpectedly strike a rock or other solid object. If the rock is approximately the size of the trench the TerraTrencher teeth will wrench it free and remove it. If the rock/solid object is solidly in place the operator feels the obstruction, rises over it and continues trenching. The obstruction is later removed with a pick, crowbar or similar.
Yes, the TerraTrencher has multiple primary and secondary safety features. These include good ergonomics/weight distribution, an ideally geared/manageable digging chain speed, a durable dirt guard that can handle rocks and a strong drive chain guard. It also has replaceable shear bolts to protect the equipment in the event of an immovable object strike and electrical isolation on the wheel support control handle. The Owner’s manual has full safety instructions which are summarised on the side panel of the chain guard. Importantly, it also retains the safety features designed into one of world’s best chainsaw powerheads, including a chain brake for kick-back protection, anti-vibration engine mountings and a chain catcher.
Yes, in fact undergrounding water pipes or electric fence cable across a race or a gateway is perfectly suited to a TerraTrencher used freehand. It’s one of the reasons that the trencher was invented. If the rock/gravel is compacted, use a pointed crowbar dropped every 50mm (2 inches) to loosen the surface. This makes trenching easier and extends the life of your chain. Remember, the TerraTrencher is primarily designed to dig soil, not compacted rocks or stones. If you routinely trench in abrasive pumice or rocky soils, you might benefit from our hard faced chains. See “Useful Info/Chain Guide”, and “Spare Parts/Digging Chains”.
Yes, you can lay wide pipe (e.g. for sewer or rainwater lines) by doing 2 parallel cuts at appropriate width and removing the centre. This technique can also be used to quickly carve out building footings/foundations.
Yes, you can trench around a 200 litre (44 gallon) drum! You can even cut 90° junctions to suit irrigation “Tees” etc. Try doing that with any other trencher!
The easy ability to cut tight or gentle curves can often reduce the need for pipe elbows or joiners, reducing cost and installation time.
The wheel support has several advantages when cutting longer trenches. It supports the weight of the unit, reducing user fatigue – the remote throttle control allows easy operation from a standing position. The wide back strap allows the operator to use their body weight to keep the trencher moving at optimum speed with minimal effort. For those needing deep trenches it permits steep digging angles to fully vertical, and has a rotary depth adjuster for easy maintenance of a constant depth. With its quick-release handle you can go back to versatile freehand digging in seconds.
Yes, several. It uses much smaller engines than conventional trenchers and requires no trailer or special/heavy vehicle to transport it. As a result, fossil fuel emissions are significantly reduced.
Because it cuts such a slim trench the ground/soil structure disturbance is kept to a minimum. Not only is this very pleasing to property owners, it reduces topsoil erosion, vegetation loss and the impact on soil fauna and flora. With so little turf disturbance, re-instatement – even of manicured lawns – is rapid. (See “Videos”).
This product is almost completely recyclable. At our head office we are happy to receive TerraTrencher material for recycling or disposal.
Yes, being the inventor of this category of digging tool we also developed a comprehensive 20 page manual that include lots of tips to help you to be a highly efficient and profitable operator.
Individual and group or corporate training is available by arrangement.
© 2024 Terrasaw. All Rights Reserved.
