2.5/5#3 of 4 in name-brand engine trenchers
2.5

A small Kohler-powered trencher for cable, lighting and drip lines down to 18 in. At its current price you get less depth and power than a 24 in import model, so buy it for the engine name and warranty.

Kohler CH270 208 ccEngine
7 hpPower
RecoilStart

Check price at Amazon$2,799

Price checked November 9, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Pros

Kohler commercial engine with a 3-year parts and labor warranty
Five depth stops for shallow wire runs or deeper irrigation lines
Smaller and lighter-duty than the 24 in machines, easier to move around a yard

Cons

Only 7 hp and an 18 in maximum depth, too shallow for frost-line water lines in cold climates
Pull start only
Costs more than the 15 hp 24 in import trenchers at the current Amazon price
DK2 covers the machine itself for 1 year, parts only

How it scores

The rating comes from 4 measured or published factors, each scored 0-100 against fixed reference points for its engine. How we rank explains each one.

Value $399.86 per hp ($2,799, 7 hp)0
Power 7 hp0
Start recoil start only0
Warranty 3-year warranty (longest of machine or engine)100

Specifications

Trenching
Model number	OPT118
Max depth	18 in
Depth settings	5 positions
Engine
Engine	Kohler CH270 208 cc
Power	7 hp
Start	Recoil
Build
Warranty	3 years

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MechMaxx TCR1500 Kohler E-Start Preorder

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Samson WP1500E XR2100

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The priciest trencher here, with a heavier-duty drivetrain than the import clones. The listing is vague on width and start type, and at $4,295 it competes with used pro machines.

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Compare

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