Excavation Yield
The efficiency (expressed in m3/ho ML / h) depends mainly: 
 
  • of rock strength (compressive strength) 
  • the abrasive nature of the rock 

In rocky terrain, the performance of trenchers can be between 15 and 20 times higher than conventional methods (excavators). 

In soft soil performance trenchers can be 5 to 10 times higher than conventional methods (excavators). 
 
The actual performance of a plow depends on a set of factors such as the type of terrain (soft soil, compacted soil, rock), lithology, rock hardness, specific conditions and organization of work and other factors such as climate and the transmitted power digging chain.

CHAIN TRENCHERS YIELDS

 

Type of material
Resistance to compression (kg/cm2)*
Hardness (Mohs)
Abrasiveness
Expected yield
m3/h
Clay
10 -100
2
Nil
80 – 350
Gypsum
40 - 450
2
Nil
60 – 350
Limestone
Dolomite
100 – 1.000
3,0 – 4,0
Little to mildly abrasive
20 – 100
Sandstone
100 – 1.500
4,5 – 5,5
Abrasive
16 – 70
Gneiss
Basalt
1.500 – 4.000
6,0
Very abrasive
6 – 20
Granite
Andesite
Quartz
1.500 – 4.000
6,5-7
Very abrasive
Not recommended method
Concrete, Asphalt, etc.
DEPENDS ON THE THICKNESS
The excavation yields indicated in this table may vary depending on the terrain conditions (rock percentage, degree of weathering, fractures, etc).
*1 kg/cm2 = 0,09807 Mpa
1 kg/cm2 = 14,2 Psi

YIELDS OF THE TRENCHING DISCS

Hypothesis: trenches 15-20 cm wide and 0.8 m deep
 
 
EXPECTED YIELD
ML/h
Clay
From 1 to 3 ML/min
Sandstone
Lulite
Mass concrete (unreinforced): 
0.4 – 0.5 ML/min depending on the concrete's composition  (contains SiO2 vs CaCO3)