HLA 48-Inch Skid Steer Trencher🔵 Mid
🟡 High Flow
⚠ High-flow machine required
✓ Compatible with high-flow CTL
⚠ Borderline for small-frame machines — verify ROC
✓ Fits most mid-frame skid steers & CTLs
View on hlaattachments.com →
Overview
HLA Attachments' 48-inch chain trencher for skid steers handles irrigation lines, conduit trenching, and drainage installations requiring more depth than a 36-inch unit. Manufactured in Ontario, Canada, and available through HLA's Western Canada dealer network including GLC Equipment. The 48-inch depth capacity suits most utility and agricultural trenching work. A Canadian-built option with local dealer support.
Canada Availability
HLA Attachments are manufactured in Ontario, Canada. Available through GLC Equipment and HLA's dealer network across Western Canada.
Key Facts
- Trench depth: 48 inches
- Type: chain trencher
- Drive: high-flow hydraulic
- Application: irrigation, conduit, drainage trenching
- Canadian-manufactured
- SSQA skid steer quick attach
- Weight: 550–1600 lbs
- Hydraulic flow: 15–30 GPM
Is This Right For You?
✅ Buy if…
- You trench through soft to moderate soil for utilities, drainage, or irrigation lines at 36–60 inch depth
- Your soil is clay, loam, sandy loam, or river bottom — chain trenchers cut fast in these conditions
⛔ Skip if…
- Your soil is solid rock, dense caliche, or Shield granite — chain links and sprockets wear out fast in rock
- You trench in deeply frozen Prairie ground regularly — rock chain at 3–5× wear rate makes winter trenching expensive
🔍 Also consider…
- Rock wheel trencher if your ground is consistently rocky or hardpan
- Standard auger if you're drilling individual holes rather than continuous trench lines
🔧 Machine Compatibility
Compatible with all skid steer brands and compact track loaders via universal SSQA quick attach. Mid-frame machines (S450–S650 class) are the most common fit.
About HLA in Canada
HLA Attachments is an Ontario-based manufacturer that designs and builds attachments in Waterloo, ON, with a dealer network spanning all provinces. Backed by a Canadian warranty and local parts availability, HLA is one of the most trusted names on Canadian job sites.
Care & Maintenance
- Inspect chain teeth after every use — worn teeth slow penetration dramatically and increase drive motor load; a full day's work can dull a chain in abrasive soil
- Lubricate the drive chain and boom sprockets before each use and again after every 4 hours of continuous trenching
- Check the boom bar for cracking or deformation after work in rocky or abrasive conditions — boom cracks propagate quickly under the bending loads of trenching
- Clean soil from the drive motor cooling fins and chain case after summer use — compacted soil on the motor causes overheating on long cuts
- Store the chain with teeth protected from ground contact — resting a chain on carbide tips on concrete chips the teeth before you've even used it
How to Connect
- Attach trencher boom using Bob-Tach
- Connect high-flow hydraulic couplers
- Test chain tension and direction before cutting
- Call 811 and verify all utilities located before first cut
⚠ Safety NoteCanada-wide: call 811 before you dig. Hydraulic trenchers may need 20-35 GPM depending on rock hardness.
⛏️ Before You Buy a Trencher
Most chain trenchers require high-flow hydraulics — confirming your machine's output is the single most important step before purchase.
- Verify your machine outputs 18–30 GPM high-flow Check your flow spec →
- Chain trencher vs rock wheel — match to your soil and rock conditions Chain vs rock wheel →
- Call 811 before any dig — utility locate is required by law in Canada
Find a Trencher Dealer →
Complete the job — you might also need:
✅ Last checked: March 2026
Source: skidsteerattachments.ca/catalog/trenchers/hla-trencher-48/
Ready to Buy? Check These First
⚙️
Confirm Machine Fit
Verify your machine's hydraulic flow meets this attachment's requirements before ordering. High-flow attachments need 25–45+ GPM — standard flow machines won't run them properly.
Check your machine's flow →
🇨🇦
Find a Canadian Dealer
Buy through a Canadian dealer for warranty support, parts, and service. Avoid grey-market imports on high-ticket attachments.
Find dealers by province →
