HOW TO CLOSE OFF THE OPEN SIDES OF AN EXCAVATION?

Deep (16’+) four sided systems are normally an ideal place to use a slide rail system. Allowing contractors to go vertically deep, while maintaining the surrounding area. In some cases, a slide rail system is just not feasible. For those situations, the stacking of steel trench shields can be the answer. However, the question remains on how to close off the open sides of an excavation?

If the trench shields that are being used were stacked with inside stacking pockets, the Pro-Tec Equipment Pin-on hanger brackets would be the answer. To close off an open side, the Pin-on Hanger Brackets use a trench shield panel that is longer that the spreader pipe used in the system (ex. If the spreader pipe were 84” long, an 8’ long trench shield panel would need to be used). The hanger brackets pin-on through the lift eyes of the trench shield panel (collars facing away from the inside of the excavation), enabling the panel to be lowered onto the spreader pipe of the system. This can be repeated as many times as needed to complete close off the side of an excavation.

This is just one example of how a trench shield system can be used to close off a third and fourth side. If you would like to know others that may work for an upcoming project, feel free to contact Pro-Tec Equipment at 800-292-1225 or click here to email us.