Buying Guide
Tractor & Trencher Guide
A tractor-mounted trencher only works if it's genuinely matched to your tractor — horsepower, PTO and linkage all matter. Here's what determines the fit.
Horsepower Is the Starting Point
Every tractor-mounted trencher is rated to a horsepower range, because the digging chain or wheel draws real load off the tractor's PTO — undersizing the tractor stalls the machine in anything but the softest ground, and oversizing it just wastes capital you didn't need to spend. Match the trencher's stated power requirement to your tractor's actual PTO horsepower, not its engine horsepower, which is usually higher.
PTO and Linkage Configuration
Most AFT tractor-mounted trenchers run off a standard 6-spline PTO at 540 RPM, mounted on Category I or Category II 3-point linkage depending on the machine's size and weight. Before ordering, confirm your tractor's linkage category and PTO speed match the trencher's requirement — this is a straightforward compatibility check, but it's an easy thing to miss.
Vario Transmission and Creeper Gearboxes
Trenching speed depends on forward travel speed being genuinely slow and consistent — production trenching is typically done at well under 1km/h. A tractor with a vario (continuously variable) transmission or a creeper gearbox gives the fine, consistent speed control that produces a clean, even trench. Without one, holding a consistent low speed is harder and cut quality can suffer.
Tractor-Mounted Machines in the AFT Range
Every figure below is pulled directly from the product specification — see the individual product page for full detail.
- AFT100 — 80–140+ hp (60–105kW)
- Wizz Wheel 75 — 130+ hp, CAT3 linkage
- AFT45 — 30+ hp, CAT I linkage
- Sandbander — 40+ hp (wheeled) / 70+ hp (carried)
- Wizz Wheel 55 — 75+ hp, CAT2 linkage
Not Sure What Your Tractor Can Carry?
TrenchWorks can confirm compatibility against your specific tractor's horsepower, PTO and linkage before you commit — talk to us before you order.
Common Questions
Tractor & Trencher Guide: FAQ
What horsepower tractor do I need for a trencher?
It depends on the machine and the ground — AFT tractor-mounted trenchers are built for tractors from 30+ hp up to 130+ hp, matched to the trencher's stated PTO power requirement rather than the tractor's engine horsepower.
What PTO speed and linkage do AFT tractor-mounted trenchers use?
Most AFT tractor-mounted trenchers run off a standard 6-spline PTO at 540 RPM, mounted on Category I or Category II 3-point linkage depending on the machine's size and weight. Confirm your tractor's linkage category and PTO speed before ordering.
Do I need a vario transmission or creeper gearbox?
Not for every machine, but a vario (continuously variable) transmission or creeper gearbox gives the fine, consistent low forward speed that produces a clean, even trench. TrenchWorks can confirm what your tractor needs for a specific unit.
Can I use the tractor I already own?
In most cases, yes — an attachment trencher is matched to your existing tractor's horsepower, PTO and linkage rather than requiring a dedicated carrier, which is the main cost advantage over a self-propelled trencher.
Ready to Put a Trencher to Work?
Talk to the TrenchWorks team about your project, or request a quote for the right machine for the job.