Earth Pro Ground Engaging Systems No matter what kind of digging conditions you find yourself facing, EarthPro Ground Engaging Systems has the components to help you get the job done... quickly and efficiently. And we have the expertise to determine what set-up will deliver the best results for each working environment.   This simple chart will help you choose tools that will fit your digging conditions, or let your Astec dealer help you configure a chain for your specific needs. Click the chart to see more The Earth Pro Raptor™ Series is a new breed of digging chain unlike any other on the market. It will change the way you think about digging chain. Click the Raptor graphic to see more Chain Assembles Four-Pitch Cup Chain As the most inexpensive trencher chain, this chain configuration is suggested for use in only the easiest digging conditions. Suitable applications are sand, sandy loam, loose shale, and top soil. "Four pitch" refers to tooth spacing. Putting a tooth on every fourth pitch is the same as having a tooth on every other station.   Two-Pitch Cup Chain This common chain configuration produces the fastest and cleanest trench in some ground conditions. While best suited for trenching sand, sandy loam, loose shale, and topsoil, the two-pitch cup tooth chain configuration can also handle harder applications such as caliche and hard clay. "Two pitch" refers to the tooth spacing. Putting a tooth on every second pitch is the same as having a tooth on every station.   Shark Cup Combo Chain Commonly referred to as a 50/50 chain, this versatile chain configuration allows for trenching in almost any type of ground. Strategically positioned teeth on this chain allow the shark teeth and cup teeth to complement each other’s strong and weak areas. The shark teeth are placed in front of the cup teeth and do the hard work. While the cup teeth are protected by the shark teeth, the cup teeth will do the clean out work.   Rock Cup Combo Chain Commonly referred to as a 50/50 chain, this versatile chain configuration allows for trenching in almost any type of ground. Strategically positioned teeth on this chain allow the rock bits and cup teeth to complement each other’s strong and weak areas. The rock bits are placed in front of the cup teeth and do the hard work. The cup teeth do the clean out work and are protected by the rock bits. Bolt-on Rock Chain More commonly referred to as a bolt-on rock and frost chain, this chain configuration has been designed to aggressively dig in the most severe types of ground. The bolt-on rock chain uses replaceable rotary, bullet-style rock bits to pick and fracture hard rock and frozen ground. As this style requires more maintenance than other chain configurations, it is very important that the rock bits are inspected regularly to ensure they spin freely in the rock bit pocket and are not wearing irregularly. Welded H-Plate Chain This chain configuration is designed for trenching in the most extreme applications. From asphalt to concrete, the welded H-plate chain can dig it. Angle iron welded to the top plate on each station acts as a spoil removal tool and also positions the rock bit at the best penetrating angle. The laser cut "H" top plate used on this chain assembly utilizes cut-outs in the front and rear of each plate to allow for spoils to exit the chain rollers. This chain assembly has extra heavy-duty, heat-treated rock bit pockets, as well as pocket-protector-style rock bits. Welded Shark Chain The welded shark chain is virtually maintenance free. The carbide tipped shark teeth actually out last the chain. Requiring only occasional chain tension adjustment, trencher users can dig hard rock, caliche, coral, and limestone confidently knowing this chain will do the job. This fully welded, low-profile, chain eliminates all of the bolts, nuts, and tube spacers of a standard bolt-together configuration. This also eliminates the possibility of shearing bolts and nuts, resulting in a lost tooth. Our Welded Shark Chain now features a dirt relief hole in every top plate providing even more productivity. Bolt-on Shark Chain Some trencher users prefer the bolt-on shark chain versus the welded shark chain due to the ability to reuse the bolt-on shark tooth adapters. Expect approximately 1,500 hours out of one set of shark teeth while digging in hard rock, caliche, coral, and limestone.