Trench Boxes for Rent

United Rentals offers a wide selection of trench box rentals to ensure the safety of your crew during excavation projects. Our inventory includes steel and aluminum trench boxes, manhole trench shields, and trench box ladders and platforms.

For our full list of trench boxes for rent, view the items below. For more information, visit our resource section.

Cat Class Code

ATB-0006

6 ft. Aluminum Trench Box

6 ft. tall aluminum shield
8 or 12 ft. panel lengths
Spreader bars adjust from 24-144 in.
Optional 4-way lifting sling and lifting lugs
Uses: Ideal for protecting your crew in trenches and excavations on utility, pipeline and construction jobsites

Cat Class Code

ATB-0008

8 ft. Aluminum Trench Box

8 ft. tall aluminum shield
Shield panel lengths of 8-20 ft.
Spreader bars adjust from 24-144 in.
Arch spreaders available in 60-144 in. sizes
Uses: Ideal for protecting your crew in trenches and excavations on utility, pipeline and construction jobsites

Cat Class Code

ATB-0010

10 ft. Aluminum Trench Box

10 ft. tall aluminum shield
8, 10 or 12 ft. shield panel lengths
Spreader bars adjust from 24-144 in.
Arch spreaders available in 60-144 in. sizes
Uses: Ideal for protecting your crew in trenches and excavations on utility, pipeline and construction jobsites

Cat Class Code

ATB-BB02

2 ft. Modular Aluminum Trench Box, Build-a-Box

2 ft. panel height
Shield panel lengths of 3-16 ft.
Spreader bars adjust from 24-144 in.
Optional 4-way lifting sling and lifting lugs
Uses: Ideal for protecting your crew in trenches and excavations on utility, pipeline and construction jobsites

Cat Class Code

ATB-BB04

4 ft. Modular Aluminum Trench Box, Build-a-Box

4 ft. panel height
Shield panel lengths of 3-16 ft.
Spreader bars adjust from 24-144 in.
Accepts 6, 8 or 10 ft. sheeting
Uses: Ideal for protecting your crew in trenches and excavations on utility, pipeline and construction jobsites

Cat Class Code

ATB-BB06

6 ft. Modular Aluminum Trench Box, Build-a-Box

Arch spreaders available in 60-144 in. sizes
Shield panel lengths of 3-16 ft.
Spreader bars adjust from 24-144 in.
Arch spreaders available in 60-144 in. sizes
Uses: Ideal for protecting your crew in trenches and excavations on utility, pipeline and construction jobsites

Cat Class Code

ATB-BB08

8 ft. Modular Aluminum Trench Box, Build-a-Box

8 ft. panel height
Shield panel lengths of 3-16 ft.
Spreader bars adjust from 24-144 in.
Arch spreaders available in 60-144 in. sizes
Uses: Ideal for protecting your crew in trenches and excavations on utility, pipeline and construction jobsites

Cat Class Code

ATB-BB10

10 ft. Modular Aluminum Trench Box, Build-a-Box

10 ft. panel height
Shield panel lengths of 3-16 ft.
Spreader bars adjust from 24-144 in.
Arch spreaders available in 60-144 in. sizes
Uses: Ideal for protecting your crew in trenches and excavations on utility, pipeline and construction jobsites

Cat Class Code

STB-04FT

4 ft. Steel Trench Box

Assemble into 2, 3 or 4-sided configurations
4-ft. panel height for shallow trench work
Features heavy-duty stacking sockets and lifting pockets
16-in. pipe clearance
Uses: Ideal for protecting crews from cave-ins during utility work and spot repairs
Dimensions are customizable within the ranges provided above based on your project's specific needs

Cat Class Code

STB-06FT

6 ft. Steel Trench Box

Assemble into 2, 3 or 4-sided configurations
6-ft. panel height for common excavation depths
Double-wall construction for maximum stability
40-in. pipe clearance
Uses: Ideal for protecting crews from cave-ins during sewer and pipeline projects
Dimensions are customizable within the ranges provided above based on your project's specific needs

Cat Class Code

STB-08FT

8 ft. Steel Trench Box

Assemble into 2, 3 or 4-sided configurations
8-ft. panel height for deep trenching applications
Includes integrated lifting pockets
64-in. pipe clearance
Uses: Ideal for protecting crews from cave-ins during major pipeline and infrastructure jobs
Dimensions are customizable within the ranges provided above based on your project's specific needs

Cat Class Code

STB-10FT

10 ft. Steel Trench Box

Assemble into 2, 3 or 4-sided configurations
10-ft. panel height for maximum depth protection
Features spreader sockets for adjustable widths, lifting pockets and replaceable push blocks
86-in. pipe clearance
Uses: Ideal for protecting crews from cave-ins during demanding pipeline and sewer work
Dimensions are customizable within the ranges provided above based on your project's specific needs

Cat Class Code

940-9559

Trench Access Platform

Manufactured in lightweight aluminum grade 6061-T6 in natural finish
Slip resistant grid mesh floor
Removable handrails on both sides
Platform features built-in ladder support bracket
Uses: Ideal for providing crew with a safe means of access and egress to and from trenches and other excavations

Cat Class Code

940-9560

Trench Box Ladder, Hanger

Made from 0.5 in. A36 steel plate
500 lb. maximum allowable vertical load
Approximately 12 in. by 8 in.
Secures ladder to trench shield with adjustable clamps
Uses: Ideal for securely attaching a ladder to a trench box for safe entry and exit

Cat Class Code

940-9561

Trench Box Ladder, Top Section

Slip-resistant rungs provide a secure foothold
Configurable for various trench depths
Top section adjusts from 2-10 in. to fits most trench boxes
Heavy-duty steel with a powder-coat finish
Uses: Ideal for providing trench workers safe entry and exit

Cat Class Code

940-9563

6 ft. Trench Box Ladder Extension

6 ft. ladder extension
Slip-resistant rungs provide a secure foothold
Configurable for various trench depths
Heavy-duty steel with a powder-coat finish
Uses: Ideal for providing trench workers safe entry and exit

Cat Class Code

940-9564

12 ft. Trench Box Ladder Extension

12 ft. ladder extension
Slip-resistant rungs provide a secure foothold
Configurable for various trench depths
Heavy-duty steel with a powder-coat finish
Uses: Ideal for providing trench workers safe entry and exit

United Rentals has the trench boxes you need for utility installation, foundation work and general excavation. Our inventory includes lightweight aluminum trench boxes for smaller excavators and heavy-duty steel trench boxes for maximum protection. We offer various sizes with wall heights from 4 to 10 feet, and modular designs that can be stacked for deeper trenches. Keep your crew safe from trench cave-ins with our inventory of trench shields from trusted manufacturers like GME, Speed Shore and Pacific Shoring. Whether you need a standard trench shield rental or a specific manhole box, we have the equipment to keep your excavation site safe and productive.

Learn more about our trench box rentals in our FAQ section below.

What are the safety regulations for trench boxes?

All trenching and excavation work must comply with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926, Subpart P. This requires a competent person to inspect the site and ensure proper safety measures are in place. Trench boxes, or trench shields, must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's tabulated data, which specifies the maximum depth rating for different soil types (A, B and C). If the trench box is used in a sloped area, it must extend at least 18 inches above the ground.

Can trench boxes be stacked?

Yes, many of our trench box models are designed to be stacked to safely increase the depth of an excavation. The overall depth of the stacked trench shields cannot exceed the manufacturer's tabulated data for that configuration.

When is a trench box required?

According to OSHA regulations, a protective system, such as a trench box, is required for any trench that is 5 feet deep or more, unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. For trenches less than 5 feet deep, a competent person can determine if a protective system is necessary. For any excavation 20 feet or deeper, the protective system must be designed by a registered professional engineer.