which trencher should i rent?

[iron]

i have about 300ft of sprinkler irrigation lines i need to install. soil is mostly clean because i added about 50 yards to my smallish yard to get it closer to level.
https://www.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Hydraulic-Trencher-18/E712MTH/index.html
https://www.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Trencher-18/T-4-HS18/

difference in pricing is $137 vs $87, respectively (full day).

the videos i saw made it looks like the T-4 spins faster and digs faster, but i do like the idea of self-propelled with the 712.

thoughts?

 

[begreen]

Depends on what your soil is like. Our soil is glacial till, filled with rocks and boulders. For our yard I'd opt for the heavy duty 712.

 

[Highbeam]

Self propelled for sure. I hand dug 30 of 90 feet just today and am having second thoughts on toughing it out. Photo is just sod peeled.

I’ve used the self propelled and they are awesome so long as the ground is dry. In the mud it really makes a muddy mess. You’ll still be hand digging the bottom smooth.

 

[zrock]

Self propelled for sure you will thank yourself not having to tug and pull the thing around.. It should leave the bottom of the trench smooth if its going the right speed.