Lightweight Drag Box

A mobile trench shield designed to be pulled by an excavator for rapid, linear pipe-laying

Up to 5.0m excavation depth
Trench widths up to 3.2m
18.9 to 34.1 kN/m² permissible pressure
Rapid excavate and drag technique
Temporary Works Design available
Nationwide delivery and hire

The Lightweight Drag Box is a highly efficient, mobile trench shield designed for continuous linear pipe-laying. Rather than being statically installed, it is pulled through the trench by an excavator as works progress, significantly speeding up production rates in self-supporting, stable ground.

Available for sale and hire across the UK, this lightweight system is the perfect alternative to heavy-duty drag boxes when site lifting capacity is restricted, or when using a standard backhoe.

Key Features and Capabilities

The excavate and drag technique. Designed specifically for stable ground, the drag box acts as a continuous mobile shield. An excavator digs ahead of the box and then pulls the entire unit forward, allowing groundworkers to lay pipes efficiently without repeatedly removing and reinstalling static trench boxes.

Towing mechanics. The system is engineered to be pulled safely. It features a heavy-duty front strut and two dedicated front eyelets, allowing it to be easily chained and dragged by a standard site excavator or backhoe.

Lightweight efficiency. With complete 2.0m base boxes starting at just 776kg, this system is exceptionally nimble. It provides an ideal solution for urban sites or projects where heavy lifting plant is unavailable, serving as a lighter alternative to our Super Drag Boxes.

Adaptable sizing. The base boxes stand 2.00m high and can be extended with 1.00m top boxes to reach depths of up to 5.0m. Using interchangeable Type A, B, or C adjustable spindles and extensions, the external trench width can be fine-tuned up to 3.2m.

Temporary Works Design

Dragging a box through a trench requires a careful assessment of ground stability, earth pressures, and machine capacity. Our in-house engineering team provides full Temporary Works Design services to ensure the Lightweight Drag Box is specified correctly and safely for your exact ground conditions. Contact our team for a free consultation.

Lightweight Drag Box: Common Questions

What is the difference between a trench box and a drag box?

The primary difference is how they are used: a standard trench box provides static support in unstable ground using a 'dig and push' method, whereas a drag box is a mobile shield that is pulled continuously along the trench by an excavator in self-supporting, stable ground.

When is a drag box suitable for my excavation?

A drag box is highly suitable for continuous, linear pipe-laying in stable ground where there are no crossing services. Because the shield simply progresses forward with the work, it allows contractors to achieve much higher daily production rates.

What machinery is required to move the Lightweight Drag Box?

The Lightweight Drag Box is designed to be pulled by a standard excavator or backhoe. It features a heavy-duty front strut and two robust front eyelets, allowing operators to connect a chain sling and drag the box forward through the trench.

What trench widths can the Lightweight Drag Box support?

The Lightweight Drag Box can support external trench widths up to 3.2m. This is achieved by swapping the internal struts between Type A, B, or C adjustable spindles and using spindle extensions where required.

Can the Lightweight Drag Box be extended for deeper trenches?

Yes, the Lightweight Drag Box can be extended to support excavations up to 5.0m deep. This is achieved by stacking 1.00m-high top boxes onto the standard 2.00m-high base box.

Hire Lightweight Drag Boxes

We supply Lightweight Drag Boxes for sale and hire nationwide, backed by expert technical advice. Please contact SEL to discuss your project requirements or to get a competitive quote from your nearest depot.

Box Dimensions & Properties

Plate Length (L)	Plate Height (H)	Pipe Clearance (LC)	Permissible Earth Pressure	Weight Per Box
m	m	m	kN/m²	Type A (kg)	Type B (kg)	Type C (kg)
2.00	2.00 base / 1.00 top	1.50	34.1	776 / 406	792 / 412	827 / 420
2.50	2.00 base / 1.00 top	2.00	30.0	894 / 462	910 / 468	945 / 476
3.00	2.00 base / 1.00 top	2.50	25.0	1016 / 518	1032 / 524	1077 / 532
3.50	2.00 base / 1.00 top	3.00	18.9	1362 / 582	1378 / 588	1413 / 596
4.00	2.00 base / 1.00 top	3.50	23.0	1610 / 844	1626 / 850	1661 / 858

Spindle Dimensions & Weights

Spindle Type	Internal Width (bC)		External Width (b)		Permissible Axial Force	Weight
Spindle Type	min (m)	max (m)	min (m)	max (m)	kN	kg
Type A	0.53	0.73	0.66	0.86	160	14.2
Type B	0.71	0.91	0.84	1.04	147	16.9
Type C	1.05	1.50	1.18	1.63	124	20.9

Note: The total trench width increases by 40mm when 4.0m long boxes are employed.

Lightweight Drag Box Information Sheet

Lightweight Drag Box User Guide

Essential handling accessories and alternative shoring systems

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