Skid steer trencher searches spike every spring in New Zealand, but the tool that actually lays underground pipe on most lifestyle blocks and small farms isn't a chain trencher at all β it's a tractor-mounted ripper/pipe layer, with a skid steer adaptor bridging the gap for loader owners.
- Novaquip Single Tine Ripper/Pipe Layer (large) is the best skid steer trencher alternative for tractor pipe laying in 2026 at NZ$1,695.
- Budget pick: the smaller Novaquip ripper/pipe layer runs NZ$895 and suits sub-40HP tractors on short runs.
- Skid steer owners need a Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor before any Implements Direct ripper will fit a loader.
- Dedicated chain trenchers dig continuous runs faster but aren't stocked by Implements Direct β hire one for long jobs.
Why this matters
Type "skid steer trencher" into Google and you'll get results for chain-and-boom attachments built for continuous utility trenching on construction sites. That's a real category, but it's overkill and rarely available for a one-off underground pipe run on a lifestyle block or small sheep and beef farm.
Implements Direct doesn't stock dedicated chain trenchers. What the catalogue does carry is the tool most Kiwi farmers already reach for when they need to lay water or drainage pipe: a single-tine ripper/pipe layer that mounts on a tractor's 3-point linkage and opens a narrow slot in the ground without turning over the topsoil. For the vast majority of underground pipe jobs on a compact tractor, that's the more practical purchase than a skid steer trencher.
If you're running a skid steer loader instead of a tractor, the adaptor that converts a skid steer's quick-attach plate to a Euro hitch matters more than the ripper itself β without it, none of the Euro-hitch implements in this guide will bolt on.
What makes the best trenching tool for underground pipe
- Dig depth against your pipe's minimum cover. Check your council's requirements before you buy anything β a shallow ripper won't cut it for pressurised water lines.
- Hitch type. Tractor 3-point linkage and PTO drive versus skid steer auxiliary hydraulics are not interchangeable without an adaptor.
- Soil type. Clay, rock and sand all behave differently under a single tine β heavier soil needs more downforce and a stronger shank.
- Tine or point width matched to pipe diameter. A slot cut too narrow means you're widening it by hand.
- Frequency of use. A one-off job favours hiring a chain trencher; regular fencing, drainage or irrigation work favours owning a ripper/pipe layer outright.
- Weight versus your tractor or loader's lift capacity. An oversized attachment on an undersized machine stalls mid-run.
Skid steer trencher options at a glance
| Option | Best for | Standout feature | Starting price | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novaquip Single Tine Ripper/Pipe Layer (large) | Tractor owners laying pipe on lifestyle blocks and farms | Single-tine design opens a slot without disturbing surrounding topsoil | NZ$1,695 | Needs a tractor 3-point linkage, not a direct skid steer fit |
| Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor | Skid steer loader operators running Euro-hitch implements | Converts a skid steer quick-attach plate to Euro hitch | See product page | Adds a coupling step and cost before any ripper attaches |
| Novaquip Single Tine Ripper with Pipe Laying Attachment (small) | Budget-conscious owners with smaller or sub-compact tractors | Lighter build at a lower entry price | NZ$895 | Shallower dig depth, less suited to longer or deeper runs |
| Dedicated skid steer chain trencher | Contractors digging long, continuous underground runs | Continuous digging without repositioning the machine | Not stocked by Implements Direct | Specialist rental or purchase outside this catalogue |
1. Novaquip Single Tine Ripper/Pipe Layer (large): best overall for tractor pipe laying
This is the tool most lifestyle block owners actually need when the search says "skid steer trencher" but the job is a single water or power line run across a paddock. It's a single-tine shank that pulls through the ground behind a tractor, opening a channel for pipe without windrowing topsoil across the whole run. Mounted on a 3-point linkage, it works with the Novaquip Single Tine Ripper/Pipe Layer (large) listed at NZ$1,695.
Novaquip Single Tine Ripper/Pipe Layer pros:
- Opens a slot for pipe in one pass on most farm soil types
- Simple mechanical design with no hydraulic hoses to plumb in
- Doubles as a subsoiler for breaking compacted ground between jobs
Novaquip Single Tine Ripper/Pipe Layer cons:
- Requires a tractor with 3-point linkage β no direct skid steer fitment
- Single pass depth depends on ground conditions and tractor pull
- Not built for continuous multi-hundred-metre trenching runs
Pricing: NZ$1,695. Best for: tractor owners laying a single underground pipe run on a lifestyle block or small farm. Verdict: Buy if you own a compact tractor and need pipe in the ground once or twice a year.
2. Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor: best for skid steer operators
If your machine is a skid steer rather than a tractor, this adaptor is the part that makes the rest of this list relevant. It bolts a Euro-hitch coupler onto a standard skid steer quick-attach plate, letting Euro-hitch implements run off loader hydraulics instead of a tractor's 3-point linkage. The Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor is the fix most skid steer owners are missing before they can use tractor-style attachments at all.
Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor pros:
- Opens up the entire Euro-hitch implement range to skid steer owners
- One-time purchase rather than buying duplicate attachments for two machines
- Straightforward bolt-on fitment for most skid steer models
Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor cons:
- Adds a coupling step and extra cost before any implement mounts
- Doesn't dig anything on its own β it's a fitment part, not a trenching tool
- Compatibility varies by skid steer make, so check plate dimensions first
Pricing: check the current listing on the site. Best for: skid steer loader owners who want to run tractor-style implements instead of buying a dedicated skid steer trencher. Verdict: Buy if your Euro-hitch implement list already includes a ripper or plough.
Worth noting for skid steer owners doing point work alongside a pipe run β a skid steer post hole borer covers fence post holes in the same job, and it's worth reading the guide on post hole borers for skid steer loaders before you buy either attachment separately.
3. Novaquip Single Tine Ripper with Pipe Laying Attachment (small): best budget option
This is the smaller sibling to the large ripper/pipe layer, built for sub-compact and smaller compact tractors where the bigger unit is overkill. It handles shorter pipe runs and lighter soil-breaking work at a lower price point, which suits a lifestyle block owner doing one job rather than a farm running fencing crews.
Small Ripper/Pipe Layer pros:
- Lower entry price than the large version
- Lighter build suits smaller tractors without straining the 3-point linkage
- Still opens a usable slot for shorter pipe runs
Small Ripper/Pipe Layer cons:
- Shallower dig depth than the large NSR020
- Less suited to rocky or heavy clay ground
- Not the right choice for longer runs across a full paddock
Pricing: NZ$895. Best for: owners of smaller tractors doing occasional, shorter pipe-laying jobs. Verdict: Buy if budget is the deciding factor and your run is under a paddock's width rather than across the whole property.
4. Dedicated skid steer chain trencher: best for continuous long-distance runs
For contractors or farms laying several hundred metres of continuous pipe, a purpose-built chain trencher on a skid steer will out-dig any tine implement β it cuts a consistent trench in one continuous pass instead of a series of ripped slots. Implements Direct doesn't stock this attachment category, so this entry is here for completeness, not as a product recommendation.
Chain trencher pros:
- Continuous digging without repositioning the machine
- Consistent trench width suited to bulk utility work
Chain trencher cons:
- Not available from Implements Direct β sourced through specialist attachment dealers or plant hire
- Higher cost to justify for a single pipe run
- Requires skid steer auxiliary hydraulics rated for the attachment
Best for: contractors or large farms with recurring, long-distance trenching needs. Verdict: Skip for a one-off job β hire one instead of buying, and reach for the tractor ripper/pipe layer for everything shorter than a full trenching contract.
How this list was ranked
Each option is scored against the criteria above: dig depth relative to typical NZ pipe cover requirements, hitch compatibility with tractor or skid steer, soil handling, and price against how often a lifestyle block or small farm actually needs to lay pipe. Implements Direct has supplied tractor attachments to New Zealand farmers for over 22 years, and the ripper/pipe layer consistently outsells anything trencher-shaped for exactly this reason β most underground pipe jobs on a compact tractor don't need a dedicated trencher at all.
Which skid steer trencher option should you choose?
Buy the Novaquip Single Tine Ripper/Pipe Layer (large) if you run a tractor and need to lay pipe once or twice a year β at NZ$1,695 it handles the job without the cost of hiring specialist plant. Skid steer owners should buy the adaptor first, then decide between the large and small ripper based on run length. Save the dedicated chain trencher for continuous, contract-length trenching work you'd hire rather than own.
FAQ
What's the best skid steer trencher for laying underground pipe in 2026?
Most lifestyle block and small farm jobs in New Zealand are better served by a tractor-mounted ripper/pipe layer than a dedicated skid steer chain trencher. The Novaquip Single Tine Ripper/Pipe Layer (large) at NZ$1,695 covers the majority of single pipe-run jobs.
Can I use tractor implements on a skid steer loader?
Yes, with a Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor fitted to the skid steer's quick-attach plate. Without it, Euro-hitch implements like the ripper/pipe layer won't mount.
Is a chain trencher better than a ripper for laying pipe?
A chain trencher digs a continuous, consistent trench faster over long distances, but it's not stocked by Implements Direct and costs more to justify for a single job. A ripper/pipe layer is the practical choice for one-off runs on a tractor.
How much does a ripper/pipe layer cost in NZ?
The Novaquip large ripper/pipe layer lists at NZ$1,695 and the smaller version at NZ$895 as of 2026. Prices vary with any freight or fitment extras.
How deep does a ripper dig for underground pipe?
Dig depth depends on soil type, tractor pull and the specific ripper model, so check your council's minimum pipe cover requirement before choosing a size. Heavier clay or rocky ground reduces achievable depth in a single pass.
Do I need a PTO tractor for a pipe-laying ripper?
No β the single-tine ripper/pipe layer mounts on a 3-point linkage and is pulled through the ground by tractor movement, not PTO drive. PTO is only needed for other implements like log saws or wood chippers.
What's the cheapest way to lay underground pipe on a lifestyle block?
The smaller Novaquip ripper/pipe layer at NZ$895 is the lowest-cost option in this category for short, shallow runs. For anything longer or in heavier ground, the larger NZ$1,695 model handles the job with fewer passes.
One last thing
The single detail that trips up first-time buyers: a ripper/pipe layer doesn't backfill the trench for you β budget time and, if needed, a box blade or grader blade pass afterward to level the ground once the pipe is in. Skipping that step is the most common reason people think the tool "didn't work" when it actually did exactly what it's built for.