Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

It may be a crazy idea, but can I use a chainsaw to dig a shallow 4" deep trench?  When I rented a mini-trencher before, I noticed how similar it looked to a chainsaw.  Would it work?  Is it dangerous at all?  The trench is for satellite tv wires.  I have an old chain that I could use.  Thanks.

Yes, you could trench with a chainsaw, for a while at least. And YES it is dangerous as hell !!!!!

Don't attempt it - if you hit a rock and break the chain you could be severely injured. Not to mention the extensive damage that digging dirt will do to the chain and bar, and possibly the engine if it ingests a lot of dust.

Please don't try this! Just rent the tool that is designed for the job.

John Davies

Ouch - that's a scary proposition.

While the machines are similar in many ways, it's important to consider the differences. The trencher has scoops to pick up the soil, while the chainsaw has little blades to cut the wood. Those blades would not pick up and move the soil the same way. The trencher belt moves at a relatively slow speed so there are no dangerous projectiles. Since the chainsaw is cutting and producing tiny bits of sawdust, and because the blades need to travel over the wood many times to cut through it, the chain moves very rapidly. I would expect to have dirt and rocks flying everywhere.

At best I'd expect to end up loosening up the soil enough so you could shovel it out easier. I wouldn't expect it to remove the soil from the trench. In the attempts to do this I could also see multiple trips to the emergency room.

Ok, guys, thanks, probably not a smart idea. 

Make sure you call diigers hotline before you digg-so you don't have a $6,000.00 bill from the telephone company to repair there shallow cable. 

18degrees

There are better (and safer - both for you and the saw) ways to put in shallow pipes and wires. There are even special wire trenchers.

Look at this Easy Digging Guide to Trenching and Trenchers  It covers homeowner and DIY trenching from hand trenching through small walk-behind trenchers.

If that link doesn't work, you can find it at EasyDigging.com in the Garden Guides section.

Good Luck - and be safe...

Greg

if you decide to do it... Please, please, please video tape it and post it somewhere!