Donate a trencher that has been parked since the last utility job

Where donated trenchers come from

Irrigation and landscape contractors, electricians running underground service, fence companies, and small utility outfits. The machine was bought for a contract, the contract ended, and the next round of work is subbed out instead.

Rental yards retire walk-behind trenchers regularly. They are hard on themselves, the chains and teeth wear, and a yard would rather turn one over than keep rebuilding it.

We also get plows and vibratory plows, which are a related but distinct machine. Same form, same process, and they sell to the same buyers.

Small machine, simple haul

Walk-behind trenchers move on a small equipment trailer. Ride-on and tractor-mounted trenchers go on a tilt-deck. Either way this is one of the least expensive hauls in the equipment category, which is good for the cause because less of the sale goes to transport.

If the trencher is already on its own trailer, say so. We can often take the trailer with it and sell them as a package, which is what most buyers want anyway.

Tell us whether it starts and whether the chain turns. A trencher that runs but will not dig, usually a clutch or drive issue, is a different listing than one that is complete and working, and both have buyers.

What decides what a trencher brings

• Digging depth and width. The core spec. A 36-inch depth machine and a 60-inch depth machine are different products to a buyer.
• Chain and teeth condition. A worn chain with missing teeth is a known cost. Fresh teeth are visible value.
• Engine hours and starting. Most are gas or small diesel. A machine that starts on the first pull or the first turn of the key sells much more easily.
• Attachments. A backfill blade, a vibratory plow attachment, a boring head or a rock chain widen the buyer pool.
• Make. This is a two-name market at the top. The recognized brands sell noticeably faster.

Makes and models we accept

Trenchers are shopped by brand more than most small equipment.

• Walk-behind and ride-on: Ditch Witch 1000 through RT series, Vermeer RT and LM series, Toro TRX and Pro Sneak, Barreto, Little Beaver.
• Tractor-mounted and larger: Case Davis, Astec, Trencor, Bradco and Digga backhoe or skid-steer trencher attachments.
• Plows and related: Ditch Witch vibratory plows, Vermeer plows, Case and Burkeen cable plows.

Not seeing yours? The list above is a search aid, not a restriction. We accept any make or model in this category, named here or not, including orphan brands and builders long out of business. What decides a donation is the condition and the paperwork, never the badge, so put yours on the form even if it is not listed.

Manufacturer names appear here so you can find your own machine. No manufacturer sponsors, endorses or is affiliated with this program.

The paperwork, and what you can deduct

No title on the machine itself. A bill of sale, the original invoice or a business asset record settles ownership. If it comes with a trailer, the trailer usually does have a title and that one we do need, or we route you to the state title rules page.

Giving Center sells the trencher and your deduction is the gross sale proceeds on Form 1098-C. Most trenchers land in the $500 to $5,000 band, where you file Form 8283 Section A and no appraisal is required. A large late-model machine can clear $5,000, and above that line the IRS requires a qualified appraisal at your expense.

If the machine is older and needs work, the sale may come in under $500. In that case your deduction is the lesser of fair market value or $500 and we send a written acknowledgment rather than a 1098-C. We would rather tell you that up front than have you find out in February.