Frequently Asked Questions

Trenchmate has a fleet of hiab and flat deck trucks to deliver product anywhere in New Zealand. All our truck drivers are fully licenced to use hiab cranes and are competent in loading and unloading product. We deliver trench shields made up and ready to go, so there's minimal downtime on site.

Yes. Each shield/box is delivered with a safe working procedure - this has a step-by-step process for you to follow if you wish to adjust the struts to a different width.

Yes. Every one of Trenchmate's trench shields have a cutting edge at the bottom and a cutting edge on the front face to make it easy to pull the trench shield through the trench.

Yes, however Trenchmate recommends using our push beam (formerly called beater beam) which is a steel box section that attaches to the top of the trench shield and protects the aluminium from getting damaged.

We take excellent care of our gear to ensure it is in good condition and to health & safety standards so customers can be certain it's safe and up to the job. Each product is checked prior to leaving the yard to comply with certification. When a Trenchmate product is delivered to site, the truck driver takes photos when unloading and the customer signs to say that the product is in good condition. If a trench shield is damaged when picking up, the truck driver will take photos of damage and notify customer of damage. Trenchmate's engineering department will assess damage and quote for repairs to be carried out to comply with certification.

No this is outside what the product is certified to do and can cause major damage to personnel and product.

Yes, Trenchmate have a range of lifting chains available for hire. Each shield comes with 4 rated shackles attached to the product.

Under WorkSafe New Zealand guidelines, trench shoring or protective support is required when a trench is 1.5 metres or deeper, or where there is a risk of collapse regardless of depth. Shoring must prevent ground movement and protect workers inside the excavation. A competent person must assess ground conditions, soil stability, and adjacent loads before entry. Trenchmate supplies trench shields, boxes, and accessories engineered to meet AS 4744.1:2000 and AS 5047:2005 standards for New Zealand site conditions.

A trench shield consists of two parallel steel or aluminium side panels held apart by adjustable struts, providing continuous protection along linear pipeline digs as work progresses. A trench box (or 4 sided pit box) features closed walls on all four sides, creating a fully enclosed perimeter designed for isolated excavations such as manhole installations, pump stations, or valve pits.

Hire costs depend on trench depth, length, hire duration, and the system required. Trenchmate offers a cost effective solution through our modular design: you only pay for the specific panels and struts you actually need, and the system scales easily as your project scope changes. Contact our team with your project details for a tailored quote.

LiteBox is a rigid aluminium shield system designed for structural ground support, fast one person handling, and reliable trench access during service connections. Inflatable shields are temporary air bladders meant primarily for short term pipe repairs or irregular gaps, but they do not provide the structural shore rating or physical protection of aluminium shields. For most shallow utility works, LiteBox delivers superior safety, durability, and site versatility. Visit our LiteBox page for full specifications and hire options.

Siltmate was custom engineered by Trenchmate specifically for New Zealand site conditions and local environmental discharge regulations. The Siltmate SM50 packs a high capacity hopper tank and an integrated solar powered chemical dosing system into a compact 10ft container footprint for fast, plug and play dewatering without relying on site power. While imported alternatives like Siltbuster offer complex modular setups for large industrial jobs, Siltmate gives Kiwi contractors a simpler, all in one solution for everyday site compliance.