Two main pieces of equipment install agricultural drainage tile: the tile plow and the trencher. They solve the same problem in very different ways, and the right choice depends on your soil, timeline, and budget.

How a Tile Plow Works

A tile plow pulls a blade through the soil at a set depth, feeding drainage tile through a boot behind it without bringing soil to the surface. It’s a continuous, single-pass operation.

How a Trencher Works

A trencher digs an open trench, into which tile is laid before the trench is backfilled — physically excavating and removing soil at each pass.

Comparing the Two

• Speed — plows install tile in a single continuous pass and generally cover more ground per day than trenching
• Soil disturbance — plowing disturbs a narrow slot with minimal surface damage; trenching displaces more soil and often needs more time to settle
• Precision — modern plows paired with laser or RTK guidance hold tight depth and grade tolerances
• Best fit — plows suit large-scale, high-volume installation; trenchers can work well in tight spaces, rocky ground, or repair jobs
• Cost — plowing typically means less labor and faster completion, lowering the cost per foot on larger jobs

Which One Should You Choose?

For most row-crop operations installing new drainage across acres of ground, a tile plow like the Soil-Max is the faster, lower-cost option per foot installed — and it’s a machine you can own and run yourself instead of hiring a contractor. Talk to Farm X about which setup fits your fields.