Pro-Tec Equipment | Steel Trench Shields | Trench Boxes

Pro Series Shields

Steel Trench Shields | Trench Boxes

Pro Series™ Shields

The Pro Series™ line of trench shields (trench boxes) from Pro-Tec Equipment incorporates performance and safety features that provide increased job safety and productivity. Pro Series trench shields (trench boxes) are available in 4", 6" and 8" thick sidewalls. Each is designed to meet the depth and machine capacity for the intended project. The Pro HD Series offers the same standard and optional features as the Pro Series, but delivers exceptional depth ratings for extreme projects. They are available in 6" and 8" thick sidewalls. Learn more below.

How to Size a Steel Trench Shield

How to size a trench shield

To determine the right size of trench shield for your job, there are a series of questions you have to answer. Here are the main ones. Answer them, consult the tables and information which accompany our specific products, and always refer to manufacturer's serialized specific tabulated data* and all applicable safety standards prior to each use.

What kind of job is it?  

E.g., sewer, repair, water main, manhole, pump station, bore pit, etc.

Depth of cut?

Soil conditions?

B-soils (45 lbs per foot of pressure)
C-60 soils (60 lbs per foot of pressure)
C-80 soils (80 lbs per foot of pressure)
Hydrostatic

Figuring out spreader length

If working with pipe, what is the outside diameter of the pipe? 
(It is recommended that the trench shield be at least 12” wider than the pipe)

What is the width of the bucket, including any side cutters?
 (It is recommended that the trench shield be at least 12” wider than the bucket)

Figuring out Trench Shield length

If working with pipe, what is the length of the pipe sections?
 (It is recommended that the trench shield be 2’ – 4’ longer than the pipe)

Figuring out maximum weight of trench shield system

Take the working weight of the machine that is going to be used at the job site and divide it by 5. That will give you the maximum weight your machine can handle for a trench shield (including spreaders).

Example:
Cat 336E L has an operating weight of 86,200 lbs. 86200/5 = 17240. A trench shield with spreader pipe would need to weigh less than 17,240 pounds to be used with this excavator.

Trench Shield Standards & Options

Trench Shields standards & options

Pro-Tec Equipment

Trench Shield Standards

Pro-Tec Equipment trench shields (trench boxes) incorporate standard performance features that help improve productivity while increasing safety on the job.

  • Industry’s first standard 4-point lifting system
  • Industry’s strongest knife edge
  • Full length double top rail provides built-in “I” beam strength – on all 4” or thicker trench shields
  • Recessed collar assemblies
  • Professionally engineered and certified
options

Options:

What you need when you need it

The Pro-Plus package is available on all Pro-Series trench shields (trench boxes). The Pro-Plus option features three keys upgrades: double outside end post, ¾” thick collars and ½” x full length push pads. The Pro-Plus option is ideal for rental fleets because it can add usable years to the life of a trench shield.

Pro-Plus Package:

  • Double outside end posts: Provide extra protection on the front and back end of the trench shield from excavator bucket damage
  • ¾” thick collars: Reduces pin hole deformation and enlargement
  • ½” x full length push pads: Attached to the top of the trench shield, the push pad provides an extra layer of protection from excavator bucket damage

Additional Options:

  • Foam filling: Excessive weight buildup from soil and water inside of side walls is prevented by foam filling.
  • Extended collars: The extended collars provide increased usability from standard spreader pipes and are available on all Pro and Pal series trench shields. Extended collars allow the width of trench shield system to be extended in 6” increments, while using the same size spreader pipe.
  • Stacking pockets: Pro-Tec Equipment’s trench shields can be equipped with stacking pockets to connect shields vertically, while restricting lateral movement. With Pro-Tec Equipment’s stack pocket locations, all sizes of Pro-Tec Equipment Pro and Pal trench shields may be stacked with each other.
  • Cutouts/replaceable doors: Not every project is the same. Some projects require pipe to go through the trench shield. Pro-Tec Equipment can handle that problem by incorporating cutouts into the trench shield. Replaceable doors are also available.
EG 4 sided-Example Double-Square

Railing Post System

Pro-Tec Equipment's Railing Post System serves as an extra precautionary measure, providing temporary railing around excavations that involve trench shoring and trench shielding equipment.

Certified by a Registered Professional Engineer to meet or exceed O.S.H.A. handrail standards, the Railing Post Systems are two-piece, lightweight systems that can be adapted to work with sheetpile, aluminum and steel trench shields and our Slide Rail Shoring panels.

Railing Post System features:

  • Two-piece system: Post and Saddle are pinned together, enabling the posts to be easily removed to provide digging access for excavators.
  • Universal saddles: One saddle to fit sheetpile, aluminum trench shields, steel trench shields and slide rail shoring panels
  • Lightweight system: Constructed of tube steel. Designed to enable two workers to carry and place assembled systems on site.
  • Registered by a Professional Engineer: meets O.S.H.A. handrail standards. Each system has a stamped technical data sheet.



Pro 4 Series - Steel Trench Shields Industry-leading 4" Steel Trench Shields | Trench Boxes

pro series 4

Pro 4 Series

Pro Series Options:

  • Foam filling – prevents soil and water buildup
  • Extended collars
  • Pro-Plus Package – adds life and usability
  • Cutouts and replaceable doors
  • Stacking pockets
  • Custom sizes

Standard features:

  • Industry’s first standard 4-point lift system
  • Full-length double top rail provides built-in “I” beam strength
  • Recessed collar assemblies
  • Professional Engineer Certified to meet or exceed O.S.H.A. requirements
  • On knife edge shields: the industry’s strongest knife edge
  • On flat bottom shields: full-length double bottom rail provides built-in “I” beam strength bucket damage

Pro Series - 4” Double Wall Shields

Standard Metric
Height x Length Model Weight** Pipe Clearance Shield Capacity* Depth of Cut* B-Soils Depth of Cut* C-60 Soils Depth of Cut* C-80 Soils
ft lbs in psf ft ft ft
4 x 10 Pro 4-410 2920 21 3000 67 50 38
4 x 12 Pro 4-412 3290 21 2640 58 44 33
4 x 16 Pro 4-416 4100 21 1440 31 24 19
4 x 20 Pro 4-420 4880 21 960 20 16 12
4 x 24 Pro 4-424 5700 21 660 14 11 9
6 x 10 Pro 4-610 3750 41 3000 67 50 38
6 x 12 Pro 4-612 4340 41 3000 67 50 38
6 x 16 Pro 4-616 5440 41 1500 32 25 20
6 x 20 Pro 4-620 6600 41 1140 24 19 15
6 x 24 Pro 4-624 7800 41 780 16 13 10
8 x 10 Pro 4-810 4650 55 2400 52 40 31
8 x 12 Pro 4-812 5390 55 2040 44 34 27
8 x 16 Pro 4-816 6800 55 1500 32 25 20
8 x 20 Pro 4-820 8240 55 1140 24 19 15
8 x 24 Pro 4-824 9850 55 780 16 13 11
10 x 10 Pro 4-1010 5750 70 1740 37 29 23
10 x 12 Pro 4-1012 6640 70 1440 30 24 19
10 x 16 Pro 4-1016 8320 70 1140 24 19 16
10 x 20 Pro 4-1020 9990 70 960 20 16 13
10 x 24 Pro 4-1024 11820 70 780 16 13 11

*PSF (pounds per square foot) ratings indicate maximum shield capacities. Depths are based on B, C and C-80 soil types as described in OSHA’s 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart P, October 31, 1989 with Type B not exceeding 45 PSF per foot of depth, Type C not exceeding 60 PSF per foot of depth and Type C-80 not exceeding 80 PSF per foot of depth. Determine actual soil pressure and consult manufacturers' tabulated data prior to each use.

** Weight of shields = two sidewalls, no spreaders.

Job site photos are strictly intended for general product information only and may not comply with all applicable safety standards. Always refer to manufacturers’ serialized specific tabulated data, O.S.H.A. 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P for excavations and all applicable safety standards prior to each use

Pro 6 Series - Steel Trench Shields

pro series 6

Pro Series Options:

Pro Series Options:

  • Foam filling – prevents soil and water buildup
  • Extended collars
  • Pro-Plus Package – adds life and usability
  • Cutouts and replaceable doors
  • Stacking pockets
  • Custom sizes

Standard features:

  • Industry’s first standard 4-point lift system
  • Full-length double top rail provides built-in 
  • “I” beam strength
  • Recessed collar assemblies
  • Professional Engineer Certified to meet or exceed O.S.H.A. requirements
  • On knife edge shields: the industry’s strongest knife edge
  • On flat bottom shields: full-length double bottom rail provides built-in “I” beam strength bucket damage

Pro 6 Series 6” Double Wall Shields

Standard Metric
Heightx Length Model Weight** Pipe Clearance ShieldCapacity* Depth of Cut* B-Soils Depth of Cut* C-60 Soils Depth of Cut* C-80 Soils
ft lbs in psf ft ft ft
4 x 20 PRO 6-420 5490 21 1380 31 23 18
4 x 24 PRO 6-424 6440 21 1020 21 17 13
4 x 28 PRO 6-428 7320 21 720 16 12 10
6 x 20 PRO 6-620 7410 41 1500 32 25 20
6 x 24 PRO 6-624 8850 41 1080 23 18 14
6 x 26 PRO 6-626 9430 41 900 19 15 12
6 x 28 PRO 6-628 10250 41 780 16 13 11
8 x 16 PRO 6-816 7740 64 1860 40 31 24
8 x 20 PRO 6-820 9290 64 1500 32 25 20
8 x 24 PRO 6-824 11100 64 1080 23 18 15
8 x 26 PRO 6-826 11800 64 900 19 15 12
8 x 28 PRO 6-828 12660 64 780 16 13 11
10 x 16 PRO 6-1016 9900 85 1440 30 24 19
10 x 20 PRO 6-1020 12000 85 1200 25 20 16
10 x 24 PRO 6-1024 13920 85 1080 22 18 15
10 x 26 PRO 6-1026 14350 85 900 18 15 13
10 x 28 PRO 6-1028 15200 85 780 16 13 11

*PSF (pounds per square foot) ratings indicate maximum shield capacities. Depths are based on B, C and C-80 soil types as described in OSHA’s 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart P, October 31, 1989 with Type B not exceeding 45 PSF per foot of depth, Type C not exceeding 60 PSF per foot of depth and Type C-80 not exceeding 80 PSF per foot of depth. Determine actual soil pressure and consult manufacturers' tabulated data prior to each use.

** Weight of shields = two sidewalls, no spreaders.

Job site photos are strictly intended for general product information only and may not comply with all applicable safety standards. Always refer to manufacturers’ serialized specific tabulated data, O.S.H.A. 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P for excavations and all applicable safety standards prior to each use

Pro 8 Series - Steel Trench Shields

Pro 8 Series 8” Double Wall Shields

Standard Metric

Pro Series Options:

  • Foam filling – prevents soil and water buildup
  • Extended collars
  • Pro-Plus Package – adds life and usability
  • Cutouts and replaceable doors
  • Stacking pockets
  • Custom sizes

Standard features:

  • Industry’s first standard 4-point lift system
  • Full-length double top rail provides built-in “I” beam strength
  • Recessed collar assemblies
  • Professional Engineer Certified to meet or exceed O.S.H.A. requirements
  • On knife edge shields: the industry’s strongest knife edge
  • On flat bottom shields: full-length double bottom rail provides built-in “I” beam strength bucket damage
Heightx Length Model Weight** Pipe Clearance ShieldCapacity* Depth of Cut* B-Soils Depth of Cut* C-60 Soils Depth of Cut* C-80 Soils
ft lbs in psf ft ft ft
4 x 20 PRO 8-420 6250 21 2117 47 35 26
4 x 24 PRO 8-424 7280 21 1426 32 24 18
4 x 28 PRO 8-428 8250 21 1034 23 17 13
4 x 30 PRO 8-430 8770 21 899 20 15 11
6 x 20 PRO 8-620 8350 41 2000 44 33 25
6 x 24 PRO 8-624 9790 41 1461 32 24 18
6 x 28 PRO 8-628 11150 41 1055 23 18 13
6 x 30 PRO 8-630 11990 41 915 20 15 11
8 x 20 PRO 8-820 10470 64 1800 40 30 23
8 x 24 PRO 8-824 12340 64 1463 33 24 18
8 x 28 PRO 8-828 14070 64 1200 25 20 16
8 x 30 PRO 8-830 15000 64 916 20 15 11
10 x 20 PRO 8-1020 12900 85 1740 37 29 23
10 x 24 PRO 8-1024 15100 85 1260 26 21 17
10 x 26 PRO 8-1026 15990 85 1140 25 19 14
10 x 28 PRO 8-1028 17100 85 1020 23 17 13
10 x 30 PRO 8-1030 18200 85 900 20 15 11

Pro HD Series - Heavy Duty Sheilds

Pro HD Series - Heavy Duty 6” Double Wall Shields

Standard Metric
Height x Length Model Weight** Pipe Clearance Shield Capacity* Depth of Cut* B-Soils Depth of Cut* C-60 Soils Depth of Cut* C-80 Soils
ft lbs in psf ft ft ft
8 x 24 PRO HD6-824 13100 64 1500 33 25 19
10 x 16 PRO HD6-1016 11200 85 1551 34 26 19
10 x 20 PRO HD6-1020 14150 85 1500 33 25 19
10 x 24 PRO HD6-1024 18010 85 1481 33 25 19

Pro HD Series - Heavy Duty 8” Double Wall Shields

Standard Metric
Height x Length Model Weight** Pipe Clearance Shield Capacity* Depth of Cut* B-Soils Depth of Cut* C-60 Soils Depth of Cut* C-80 Soils
ft lbs in psf ft ft ft
8 x 24 PRO HD8-824 15870 64 1902 42 32 24
8 x 28 PRO HD8-828 23130 64 1800 40 30 23
10 x 24 PRO HD8-1024 18470 85 1879 42 31 23
10 x 28 PRO HD8-1028 26000 85 1440 32 24 18

Spreaders - Trench Box Spreader Sets 8" Schedule 80 Spreader Pipe

4-Pipe and 5-Pipe Sets

There are several variations in the style of common trench boxes. Some are designed to utilize 4 spreader pipe (such as those set up in a 4-pipe repair, also known as 4-pipe independent) which provides maximum pipe clearance through out the trench shield, 4-pipe pull which provide lower front spreaders to allow excavator boom clearance) and others are designed to utilize 5 spreader pipe.

The most commonly used spreader pipe on Pro-Series trench shields are the 8" schedule 80 spreader pipe. No matter if the trench box is set up to accept 4-pipe or 5-pipe, it is stated on our engineer stamped certification sheets that a minimum of 2 spreader pipes are required on each end with the approved pins and keepers. In general, the 5th spreader is used as a means to rigidity to larger, deeper trench boxes.

For specially designed trench shields that require 5 or more spreader pipe, or pipe of a different specification (i.e. 10" sch. 120), please refer to certification sheet.

H4 Spreader Sets

Set of (4) 8" Sch. 80 Spreaders, Includes pins and keepers

Standard Metric
Model Inside Width Weight
in lbs
H4-24 24 470
H4-30 30 560
H4-36 36 650
H4-42 42 740
H4-48 48 820
H4-60 60 1010
H4-72 72 1170
H4-84 84 1350
H4-96 96 1510
H4-108 108 1692
H4-120 120 1860
H4-132 132 2040
H4-144 144 2210

H5 Spreader Sets

Set of (5) 8" Sch. 80 Spreaders, Includes pins and keepers

Standard Metric
Model Inside Width Weight
in lbs
H5-24 24 590
H5-30 30 690
H5-36 36 800
H5-42 42 910
H5-48 48 1020
H5-60 60 1240
H5-72 72 1450
H5-84 84 1670
H5-96 96 1890
H5-108 108 2110
H5-120 120 2320
H5-132 132 2540
H5-144 144 2760

Features and Benefits

Protection Engineered for Added Safety

Full length double tube top rail provides built in "I" beam strength, helps prevent bucket damage. Superior structural strength provides greater durability and depth ratings. Additional 4 Point System horizontal and vertical structural members in the sidewall impart maximum shield strength and better depth ratings than competitive shields. High strength steel, Schedule 80 steel pipe spreaders and superior welding techniques complete the package. Collars are encased in heavy wall tubing inserted between twin end-posts. Collars are 100% perimeter welded to impart maximum durability to these critical connecting points.

Industry’s first, safer 4-point lifting system

Industry's first 4-point lifting system makes handling and assembly easier, faster and safer.

Contact Pro-Tec

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Why Pro-Tec Equipment

why-pro-tec-location

Pro-Tec Equipment is designed with superior quality, safety, dependability and durability in mind. We have continued to expand our range of equipment and services to ensure you, our customer, have what you need to meet the constant challenges you face at the worksite. Your success is our success.

Learn More

Download Product Literature

Downloadable PDFs of our product lines.

Related Literature:
View All

*PSF (pounds per square foot) ratings indicate maximum shield capacities. Depths are based on B, C and C-80 soil types as described in OSHA's 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart P, October 31, 1989 with Type B not exceeding 45 PSF per foot of depth, Type C not exceeding 60 PSF per foot of depth and Type C-80 not exceeding 80 PSF per foot of depth. Determine actual soil pressure and consult manufacturers Tabulated Data prior to each use.

Job site photos are strictly intended for general product information only and may not comply with all applicable safety standards. Always refer to manufacturers’ serialized specific tabulated data, O.S.H.A. 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P for excavations and all applicable safety standards prior to each use.