The bench excavation operation of the excavator during the excavation process is crucial to the safety and efficiency of the project. So choosing the right excavator for bench excavation can be a bit tricky, but with the right knowledge and the key points of bench excavation, you can make the best choice for your project.
Excavation benching helps prevent soil collapse and ensures the safety of workers in trenches and pits. Understanding the types of excavators suited for benching, their capabilities, and how to maintain them can significantly improve safety and productivity. This guide will help you navigate the best options for excavation benching tasks.
Now, let’s get into the specifics of what you need to look for when choosing an excavator for benching during excavation.
1. What is Excavation Benching? Why is It Important?
Benching is used in excavation work to create step-like horizontal levels along the walls of an excavation, in order to prevent soil or rock from collapsing on workers. It is a common technique used in all types of excavation to help ensure workers are safe and the site is stable.
The concept of benching in excavation is that it helps distribute the pressure on the sides of the trench or pit, thus keeping the soil from collapsing. This is essential to keep workers safe and to make sure that your excavation project moves forward without any hitches.
You also need to consider the type of soil and the depth of the trench when designing the benching for excavation. The excavator needs to have the reach and power to handle this kind of work. The right equipment can mean the difference between properly benched trench walls and walls with steps that are too small to provide proper soil stability.
| Excavation Depth | Bench Height | Required Excavator Type | Notes |
| 5 to 10 feet | 2 feet | Small to Medium Excavator | Best for shallow trenches |
| 10 to 20 feet | 3 to 4 feet | Medium Excavator | Requires deeper benching for safety |
| 20 feet and beyond | 5 feet | Large Excavator | Critical for deep excavations |
2. What is the Difference Between Shoring and Benching?
Shoring and benching are both methods used for stabilizing excavations, but they are done in different ways and serve different purposes. This distinction is critical when choosing the right piece of equipment for excavation benching.
Shoring uses supports such as planks or hydraulic systems to prevent the walls of the excavation from falling in on people, while benching uses steps in the excavation walls. Benching is typically used in shallower excavations than shoring.
Shoring and trench benching both have the same goal – preventing trench collapse. But, benching can be more cost-effective for shallow trenches whereas deep trenches require shoring in order to prevent a cave in. So, depending on how deep your excavation is and the specific risks, trench benching could be the right approach.
| Method | Depth Suitable For | Equipment Used | Benefits | Limitations |
| Excavation Benching | Shallow trenches (less than 20 feet) | Excavators with extended reach | Cost-effective, easy to implement | Limited for deep excavations |
| Shoring | Deep trenches | Hydraulic supports, planks | Provides stability in deep excavations | More expensive, complex setup |
3. What is the Purpose of Excavation Benching?
The main purpose of excavation benching is to protect against cave-ins and to protect workers. By creating stable tiers or steps on the walls of trenches or pits, you can distribute the soil pressure on the trench wall and keep things safe.
Benching in the walls of an excavation is what keeps the walls from simply collapsing and killing people or causing injury. Benchin is crucial for worker safety, creating safe access points, and reducing accidents.
In many cases, benching is required by law when working on construction sites and excavations, especially when you are near utilities or working in a high‐traffic area. Benching techniques must be applied or tailored to your specific project. Depending on the soil type, trench depth, and conditions in which your trench will exist, it can make a world of difference in the stability of the trench over time.
| Soil Type | Bench Spacing | Ideal Excavator Type | Best Practices |
| Clay | 2 feet | Medium to Large Excavator | Requires precise, controlled cuts |
| Sand | 3 feet | Large Excavator | Must be monitored for shifting |
| Rocky Soil | 1.5 feet | Small Excavator | Requires powerful digging ability |
4. What is Benching?
Benching is when you shape the sides of an excavation into steps, or benches, in order to keep soil from collapsing. It is a soil stability technique that keeps you safe and makes sure your project performs as expected.
By cutting the excavation walls into steps, it reduces the pressure on the soil layers. You’re not going to have cave‐ins as easily. This is something that’s really important, especially for deep or unstable soils where shoring and things like that may not be practical.
The depth and the number of benches required depend on the type of soil and the conditions in which your soil is located. You must be able to dig your trenches and excavate in such a way that the angles are correct for the depth and that the benches are stable and spaced correctly for your safety.
| Excavator Model | Ideal Bench Depth | Excavator Reach | Operational Efficiency |
| CAT 320D | 3 feet | Medium reach | Best for medium-depth trenches |
| Komatsu PC200 | 4 feet | Extended reach | Excellent for deep trench benching |
| SANY SY135C | 2 feet | Short reach | Best for narrow trenches |
5. Which Excavators are Best for Excavation Benching?
It is important to choose the right excavator when it comes to excavation benching. The size, reach, and power of the excavator you select will make a huge difference in properly making benches with the right step dimensions for safety.
Brands like CAT, Komatsu, and SANY have models and sizes of excavators that are perfect for excavation benching. Use factors like how deep you have to dig and how far out you need to reach, as well as knowing that your machine is big enough and has enough power to move the soil as needed.
For shallow excavations, you want to use a smaller excavator probably with a moderate-sized arm to dig the trenches and set the benching steps. However, if you get into a deeper trench, you’ll need a bigger machine with a bigger arm and more hydraulic capacity to handle the soil.
| Brand | Model | Reach | Ideal for Benching | Hydraulic Power |
| CAT | 320D | 15 feet | Yes | High |
| Komatsu | PC200 | 20 feet | Yes | Moderate |
| SANY | SY135C | 12 feet | Yes | High |
6. How to Ensure Your Excavator Meets Excavation Benching Safety Standards?
Digging benches is a great way to keep your excavation safe and efficient. These trenches are dug with steps or benches on the sides. The idea is to prevent collapses and to spread the force against the walls. You need to
use the right excavator because it needs to have the size, reach, and power to meet the specific demands of digging benches.
Make sure that the backhoe is fitted with rollover protection, safety alarms, and all the required certifications. Regular maintenance and inspection are also necessary to maintain safety levels.
Make sure the machine is correctly equipped, such as having rollover protection, safety alarms, and all necessary certifications. Also, regular maintenance and checks are important to make sure everything is safe.
| Safety Feature | Required for Benching | Checks for Compliance | Maintenance Schedule |
| Rollover Protection | Yes | Must pass inspection | Every 6 months |
| Hydraulic System Checks | Yes | Must be pressure tested | After every major task |
| Stabilizers | Yes | Regular maintenance | Weekly checks |
7. What are the Costs Involved in Excavation Benching?
Finally, you need to learn how to estimate excavation benching costs. The costs can vary greatly depending on the depth of your excavation, the type of equipment you’re using, and the complexity of your job.
The costs to consider for excavation benching are the purchase or rental of the equipment, operator costs, maintenance and safety features. If you’re digging deep trenches, you may also need specialized equipment
that can drive up costs.
While it may cost you more money upfront than if you were to dig a straight hole and slop some plywood on the side, it’s an investment in your long-term business because it will help keep you and your guys safe. You won’t have the potential delays that accidents cause, and you won’t have the potential bills that lawsuits can bring.
| Cost Category | Estimate Range | Notes | Frequency |
| Equipment Rental | $500 – $2,000/day | Depending on size and model | Daily/Weekly |
| Operator Wages | $100 – $300/day | Skilled operator required | Daily |
| Safety Features | $200 – $1,000 | Installation of safety systems | One-time |
8. How Many Hours is an Excavator Good for Excavation Benching?
How long do excavators last? The answer to that question is that it depends. It depends on how well you maintain them. It depends on how often they’re used. It depends on what type of work they’re doing. When
you’re doing excavation benching, it also depends on how many hours that excavator can operate before you have to replace the tracks or do other major repairs.
Excavators are rated to last for thousands of hours, but the number of hours you’ll get out of them when you’re doing excavation benching or whatever work will depend on how well you maintain them.
A well-maintained excavator can easily go over 10,000 hours before you have to replace the tracks or the undercarriage, or do major repairs to the hydraulics. But remember, the more hours on the machine, the more important it is to monitor its performance and the condition of all its components. You don’t want something to wear out or break unexpectedly because that’s when the problems start.
| Excavator Model | Maximum Working Hours | Typical Bench Life | Maintenance Interval |
| CAT 320D | 15,000 hours | 10,000 hours | 500-hour intervals |
| Komatsu PC200 | 12,000 hours | 8,000 hours | 400-hour intervals |
| SANY SY135C | 10,000 hours | 7,000 hours | 450-hour intervals |
9. How to Choose the Best Excavator for Excavation Benching Projects?
Select the best excavator for your excavation benching based on your specific project needs related to depth, soil types, and safety issues. Evaluate the size of the machine, its reach, and hydraulics.
Choose the best excavator for your excavation benching based on your specific project needs. Consider the trench depth and width, soil type, and safety requirements. Also, consider the size of the machine, reach, and the size of the hydraulics. If you’re going deep and the machine has to reach or extend far, you need a large machine with plenty of lifting capability and strong hydraulics. For something shallow, a smaller machine might be a better fit.
Other considerations include the comfort of the operator, fuel burn efficiency, and the availability of spare parts. In addition, think about the reputation of the brand. CAT, Komatsu, and SANY, for instance, make fantastic excavation equipment. However, you really want to make sure you have the right machine for your project.
| Factor | Importance | Recommended for Benching | Ideal Model |
| Excavator Size | Critical | Medium to Large Excavators | CAT 320D, Komatsu PC200 |
| Reach | Very Important | Long reach for deep trenches | SANY SY135C |
| Hydraulic Power | Essential | High power for stability | CAT 320D |
10. Common Pitfalls in Excavation Benching and How to Avoid Them
Benching is a must for safety, but even with benching, people make mistakes. So, here are the most common mistakes and pitfalls you need to avoid.
Some common pitfalls people fall into when it comes to benching include not properly classifying the soil, not getting the proper training from their locality or state, and not following safety guidelines. Address these problems ahead of time to ensure your project goes smoothly and safely.
Pitfalls such as not digging your benching deep enough, not taking water drainage into account, and not using the right machinery can put you in a tough situation. Make sure your team is adequately trained, you’re using the right excavation methods, and you’re keeping a close eye on your machinery and the conditions of your worksite.
| Common Pitfall | How to Avoid It | Consequence of Ignoring It |
| Improper Soil Classification | Conduct thorough soil testing before digging | Could lead to bench failure |
| Insufficient Worker Training | Provide on-site training and certifications | Increased risk of accidents |
| Ignoring Safety Standards | Follow OSHA and local safety guidelines | Legal consequences and injuries |
11. How to Maintain Excavation Benching Equipment for Longevity
You don’t do that by just hoping the hydraulics don’t break, the components don’t wear out, or somebody doesn’t run it off a slope. You do that by maintaining the equipment and catching problems before they catch you in the form of an accident or a machine breakdown.
Regularly checking, cleaning, and greasing the crucial components, such as the hydraulics and tracks, can go a long way to ensuring your excavator’s longevity. In addition to giving your equipment a longer life, maintaining it reduces the risk of something going wrong while you’re down in the trench.
Scheduled maintenance should include monitoring the hydraulics, verifying the undercarriage is in good shape, and ensuring all electrical and mechanical function is in good order. It’s going to cost you time and money you probably didn’t plan on spending by not maintaining the machine as you should.
| Maintenance Task | Recommended Interval | Purpose of Task |
| Hydraulic System Check | Every 500 hours | Ensure optimal performance and efficiency |
| Undercarriage Inspection | Every 1000 hours | Prevent wear and ensure machine stability |
| Full Equipment Lubrication | Every 200 hours | Minimize friction and increase lifespan |
12. Case Studies of Successful Excavation Benching Projects
By reading through real-world case studies, you can see how others have used excavation benching effectively in challenging conditions. Their experiences can help you learn from their successes and avoid their mistakes.
Case studies are a great way to see how careful planning, the right equipment, and proper attention to safety standards can lead to successful excavation benching projects. These case studies also prove that when you do it right, excavation benching can make your site more stable, less risky, and efficient.
I read about a huge trenching project where they had to use excavation benching to keep workers safe in an area with lots of stuff underground and expensive buildings overhead. By doing a thorough site analysis and using the right equipment (a CAT 320D with a super beefed-up hydraulics system), they were able to complete the project without any major incidents.
| Project Name | Location | Equipment Used | Key Success Factor |
| Downtown Trenching | New York City | CAT 320D | Proper training and safety planning |
| Rural Pipeline Work | California | Komatsu PC200 | Detailed soil testing and shoring |
| Urban Road Excavation | London | SANY SY135C | Constant equipment maintenance |
13. How Excavation Benching Contributes to Sustainability in Construction
The cool thing about using excavation benching is that it’s not just about safety; it’s also about being green and reducing waste. You’re ensuring you use your resources efficiently and that you’re not just throwing stuff away.
It minimizes soil displacement, which means you don’t have to push and backfill 50% more dirt. That makes it more environmentally friendly and an all-around greener construction process.
With everybody going green and being so environmentally conscious, any time you can develop a process where you create less of a carbon footprint and you use less, you’re golden.
| Sustainable Practice | How Excavation Benching Helps | Environmental Benefit |
| Reduced Soil Displacement | Creates safe and stable benches | Less disruption to the environment |
| Efficient Resource Use | Uses proper machinery and methods | Reduced waste and material consumption |
| Lower Fuel Consumption | Well-maintained machinery | Lower emissions and carbon footprint |
Summary
Excavation benching is a key process in the construction industry to ensure safety, stability, and efficiency while digging. Knowing the purpose and how it differs from shoring, as well as how to do it safely, can save contractors a lot of headaches. Choosing the right equipment and maintaining it correctly can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. A couple of case studies show examples of how to do excavation benching right. Then you read an excellent point about going green, and I mention in the tip that being green is a good thing.
Since everyone is worried about their carbon footprint, the less dirt you move and the less you use, the better off you’ll be. Contact with us for more information!