The V2050 features a steerable rear-axle, a standard oil cooler, an automatic-style hood. Standard diagnostic ports also increase machine life.

All I can say is, "There has to be a better way!" I know all of you guys are saying the same thing. At least if you are reading this article you are thinking the same thing.

Let me share a little story with you. I've lived in the city now for a while after living in a ranch town with all of the good old boys. Things back home were done the old-fashioned way- by hand. Not because we believed in it, but because we were lacking in the technology department. We were happy to get a K-Mart. That was our source of technology. Now they're going bankrupt.

Anyway, I decided to do some dirt work the other day. So, I grabbed me a shovel and started to get my hands dirty. Not five minutes into the job I was forced to stop. I looked down at my hands and noticed a blister staring back at me. Have I worked at a desk that long? So I said to myself, "There has to be a better way."

The Vermeer Difference

I found a better way- the Vermeer V2050 walk-behind hydrostatic trencher. This thing is impressive. It comes equipped with a 20 HP, 4-Cycle Kohler engine. Firing on two cylinders, the trencher burns 1.9 gallons per hour (gph) from its 5-gallon tank. That's 2 1/2 hours of steady work when the machine is running at 3600 RPM.

An electric starter is located at the operator station along with the other machine controls. The controls are color coded to allow the user to recognize the machine functions. As an added safety feature, the handles on the V2050 are insulated to prevent

operator shock.

The machine is 36 inches wide and therefore it can fit through most backyard gates. Weighing 1,460 pounds, it offers a low center of gravity, which provides stability. The boom measures 36-inches long and comes with a 4-inch cutting chain. Because the boom is reversible, it lowers the maintenance cost and extends the

booms life.

Trench sizes can vary, and so does the digging size of the trencher. The V2050 can cut a trench from 3.5 inches to 10 inches wide. If you really need to get down deep to bury cables or other items, this Vermeer trencher can reach a depth of 48 inches.

As the user begins to cut deeper trenches, there is a greater chance of encountering roots. Well, Vermeer realized this and offers a root-cutter attachment. This attachment helps to clear the trenching path of roots that may interfere with your job.

If your desired path meets up with other obstructions like a sidewalk or a driveway, a PortaBore attachment can be purchased. Adding this attachment to the trencher allows the operator to perform short-length, small-diameter, non-directional underground utility installations.

In case you feel like "tricking out" your new ride, you can have your choice of tires too. Vermeer offers two tire sizes: a 23-inch by 10.5-inch tire or a 23-inch by 8.5-inch tire. Both tires are available in a lug tread, but the 23-inch by 10.5-inch tire also comes in a turf style tread. The only downfall is, I don't think they offer whitewalls.

There is one other benefit to having a trencher- you can borrow things. Just the other day I created a new stream leading from my neighbor's pond to mine. Seems like all those 10-pound trout like to swim in my pond better than my neighbor's pond. I bet those trophy trout will also enjoy being grilled on my barbecue better than his.

Maybe I'll be nice and invite him over for dinner some night- but you can bet I'll be cooking hot dogs that night.