More about Groundwork Boxes

A trench box (also known as a trench shield or shoring box) is a prefabricated steel or aluminium structure designed to support the walls of an excavation, preventing soil collapse and ensuring the safety of workers within the trench. You may also see our range described as shoring boxes, a term used widely across the industry.

Altrad Generation's groundwork box range covers trench boxes, manhole boxes and drag boxes for safe excavation shoring. If you need a trench box for sale or hire, browse the full range below or contact your local branch for advice on the right model.

Trench Boxes

Altrad Generation trench boxes are two sided support systems designed to be installed by an excavator using a dig and push or excavate and lower technique. Every trench box in our range is designed to meet BS EN 13331 and BS 5975, the UK standards for trench lining systems and temporary works, and can be used alongside our manhole boxes for full protection across an excavation.

• Backhoe Trench Box: A lightweight trench box designed for use with smaller machines such as 180 degree and rubber tyred excavators, ideal when lifting capacity is limited on site.

• Mini Trench Box: Suited to installing utility pipes and services in trenches up to 4 metres deep, with top panels available to increase excavation depth.

• Standard Trench Box: Our most widely used trench box, adjusted using a pin and clip system, with up to two extension boxes available to add further depth.

• Super Trench Box: A 5 metre panel trench box with edge protection and ladder access systems available, usable alongside our manhole boxes.

• Magnum Trench Box: The largest trench box in our range, designed for deep pipe laying and effective down to around 6.6 metres, provided ground pressure does not exceed the permissible load for this box.

Manhole Boxes

Manhole boxes give you four sided support for installing precast manhole rings and small chambers, with integral end return panels for extra protection. Our manhole boxes can be combined with trench boxes to provide continuous protection along a full excavation run.

• Backhoe Manhole Box: A four sided box with integral end return panels, suited to smaller excavations up to around 3 metres deep, with various strut lengths for non square configurations.

• Standard Manhole Box: Supports excavations up to 5.3 metres deep and 4.7 metres wide, with additional extension boxes and closing panels available.

Drag Boxes

If your project involves long, continuous pipe runs, a drag box offers a speedy alternative to a static trench box. Installed using an excavate and drag technique, a drag box is placed in a predug trench and moved forward as each section of pipe is laid, and both options below can be used alongside our manhole boxes.

• Maxi Drag Box: A lightweight drag box sized for long pipe runs to increase productivity and installation speed, with edge protection and ladder access systems available.

• Standard Drag Box: Acts as a shield to protect workers in self supporting soil, with lifting points for safe slinging.

Key Features and Benefits

• Meets UK Standards: Our trench boxes are designed to meet BS EN 13331 and BS 5975 for trench lining systems and temporary works.

• Combined Protection: Use trench boxes and manhole boxes together to protect workers along a full excavation run.

• Design Service Available: If your project is likely to exceed the permissible safe working load, our team can advise on manhole braces or alloy waler alternatives.

• Hire or Sale Options: Flexible options to suit your project and budget.

Applications

• Utility installation and repair for water, gas and telecommunications

• Drainage and sewerage work

• Foundation excavation

• Cable laying for electrical and fibre optic services

• Manhole installation and maintenance

• General excavation and trenching work

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a trench box?
A. A trench box, also known as a trench shield or shoring box, is a prefabricated steel or aluminium structure designed to support the walls of an excavation, preventing soil collapse and keeping workers safe within the trench.

Q. What is the difference between a trench box and a manhole box?
A. A trench box gives you two sided support and is used along the length of a trench run. A manhole box is a four sided system designed for precast manhole rings and small chambers, and it can support excavations up to 5.3 metres deep and 4.7 metres wide. Trench boxes and manhole boxes can be used together to protect workers along a full excavation.

Q. What is a drag box used for?
A. A drag box gives you a mobile shoring solution for long, continuous pipe runs, offering a speedy alternative to a static trench box. It is installed using an excavate and drag technique, where the box is placed in a predug trench and moved forward as each section of pipe laying is completed.

Q. Do you offer trench boxes for sale?
A. Yes. Altrad Generation offers a wide range of trench boxes for sale as well as hire. Contact your local branch to discuss the sizes and configurations available for your project.

Q. What sizes do shoring boxes come in?
A. Our trench box range covers widths from around 600mm up to 4.5 metres, with extension boxes available for extra depth. Manhole boxes reach up to 5.3 metres deep and 4.7 metres wide.

Contact your nearest Altrad Generation branch to discuss trench boxes, manhole boxes and drag boxes for your project.