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This trencher brochure from Auburn Machine Works was on eBay before I snatched it. Given it features a CJ-3B, I figure this is a 1953 or 54 brochure. There’s no form number.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3500.
Nick is selling this CJ5 with a plow, half top, and working trencher.
“I take cash or PayPal. Firm on price. First with payment takes it. Located in Shipshewana, IN. 1959 Willys Jeep CJ5 with Auburn Jeep-A-Trench. AgriJeeps were a standard CJ with aftermarket farm equipment, making a dual-purpose vehicle.
This is one of very few operational trencher Jeeps left. I can send you a video of it trenching my backyard. This particular trencher is the latest, greatest version available for the Jeep. It sits inside the bed, rather than hanging off the back. It removes quite a bit of stress from the chassis and body. Hydraulic boom raise/lower and gear-driven chain. Has a new heavy duty clutch kit, fuel tank, fuel pump, lines. Tires all hold air. Runs and drives nice.
Continue reading
Doesn’t run. Has rust.
https://louisville.craigslist.org/pts/d/bristow-1961-jeep-willys-jeep-trench/7187386744.html
“For that special person in your life that has everything…but NOT a Jeep-A-Trench!
1961 Jeep Willys
Jeep-A-Trench
4cyl. overhead valve
Rear passenger side leaf spring broke so it was retired.
Everything is here.
PTO driven unit in rear.
I have not engaged the PTO in fear for my life.
With a hot battery it starts right up and doesn’t smoke!
Runs strong (can send video).
Zero brakes
Not drivable at this time.
Just a really cool, rare unit with a neat history.
Clear Indiana title!
Special Machinery plated
$2500.00 Hour west of Louisville of I64 Exit #79”
It’s rare to find these without a jeep. It looks in pretty good shape. It doesn’t seem to have the PTO parts included?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/713426812528542/
“Willys trencher unit. In good shape”
UPDATE: Price dropped to $1800.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/132385384566178/
(08/29/2019) “1956 Jeep cj5 trench a Jeep This is a very rare Jeep very few were made like this. It is a complete Jeep with all the pto’s and parts for trencher only thing missing is back chain covers This is a project does not run Frame is bent and body is rough Does not have title or vin plate I have a 55 parts Jeep that comes with it that has a good frame and vin tag no title Will provide a bill of sale This is a project I picked up and just don’t have tome to dedicate to it have to finish my projects will sale with parts Jeep for $2200or $1800 without parts Jeep”
UPDATE: **SOLD** $2000
“1952 Willys CJ3A Auburn Jeep-a-Trench Trencher Jeep.
Project – must sell to save this iron. I will consider fair offers. Early Auburn Trencher wheel drive, on a 1952 Willys CJ3A.
No Title. Low miles. NE Ohio. Akron / Canton Area. This Trencher was used to dig irrigation ditches on a golf course in Northern Ohio. It was sitting outdoors when I saved it.
Frame is in great shape. Leaf springs are ok. Body is pretty good (my opinion), No filler. Could use new front floor of course. Half cab top bows – no canvas, no door frames, Monarch Governor with handle and cable. Motor and Transmission are locked, I disconnected the drive shaft to roll it. I removed all brake drums also, found one rear hub was cracked so I replaced both rears hubs. Green narrow 16″ jeep wheels go with it, see last picture.”
No PTO parts are included in the sale.
https://joplin.craigslist.org/pts/d/riverton-willys-jeep-trench-attachment/6979679793.html
“Selling the jeep-a-trench attachment off a willys jeep. This jeep has been sitting outside for 20+ years.
I have a tractor and 2 post lift to remove and load on your trailer.
NO PTO parts are included for $375 – I’ll remove the bolts holding it to the frame and send it home with you.
Located 5 miles North of Riverton KS”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3900.
Maury found this great old trencher for sale.
“1959 factory Jeep A trench. Runs like a sewing machine. New ignition, fuel pump, and clutch. Master cylinder needs to be replaced (new one with the truck), gas tank has a leak (using a boat tank to move truck around), exhaust needs a new down pipe. Thats all the bad news! Trencher is an auburn trencher made and installed here in nebraska. Jeep comes with both doors, new master cylinder, new brake shoes, full set of 12 inch bits as well as lots of links and spare parts.”
Needs a closer look.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/629712947520508/
“1949 willys jeep with trencher, trencher was working when this got parked. The body is in pretty good shape just been sitting under trees for couple years. Beside the trencher and body it need some work. Tires air up though and she will roll. Has 4 speed transmission. Everything is there for the trencher. Good project for someone looking to redo an ole willys jeep.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3200.
(10/28/2016) Used to have a Trencher on the rear.
“To many projects and with a third baby on the way I won’t be getting to all of them. Selling my 1952 Jeep Willys CJ3A. This Willys originally had a factory option Jeep-a-trench trencher (which has since been removed) on the back, so the Jeep still has the factory rear PTO. Has the T-90 3 speed manual transmission and the Dana Spicer model 18 transfer case. 4 cylinder F head Hurricane 134 ci engine. I have never had it running. Has factory half soft top and soft doors. Jeep has been in my shed for over 12 years. Have title and much of the original paperwork on it. Was in a shed when I got it and has continued to be. Little to no rust. Perfect for winter restoration project..”
There are some great illustrations that accompanied this patent filed August 15, 1950, by Friedrich Schmidt on behalf of Auburn Machine Works.
According to the filing, “An object of this invention is to provide means for digging trenches particularly suitable for mounting on a conventional vehicle such as a truck or jeep without any substantial modification thereof and driven from the vehicle power take-01f. It is a related object to provide novel means coordinated with the digger portion of the device for enabling the vehicle to be advanced positively at a speed which is only a fraction of the normally obtainable minimum speed and with the engine operating at full rated R. P. M. I”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2000.
Jeep lacks brakes and the trencher needs some work. Has a Meyer half cab and a plow up front.
“Here is one of the Holy Grails for the Jeep Collector. The “Jeep-A-Trench.”
I recently uncovered this Jeep from a farm in Winters Texas. The rancher had owned the Jeep since the 1960’s or so. It has the ultra rare Jeep-A-Trench rear end and the front mounted Dozer blade. It is also outfitted with the Arctic top and hard doors. All the glass is good and I even have the back cab glass thats in perfect shape. The seal just dried up.
The Jeep has no found rust through, been in Texas since new. Even the under seat tool box is solid. The Jeep was paint industrial yellow likely when the gear was installed. But the factory original was that nice turquoisey blue.
The Jeep runs and drives but currently has no brakes. The front blade still works and automatic raises and lowers from inside cab. The rear Trencher is all there minus needing a new drive chain and slide on dual sprocket. The unit is otherwise 100% complete.
The Jeep has four new tires and a new battery. I had never even seen one of these Jeeps. There’s a brass data plate that states….”Jeep-A-Trench” on the Jeep. Super cool find.”
Includes a Jeep-A-Trench trencher and a plow.
https://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/d/1959-jeep-cj5-jeep-trench/6750714176.html
“1959 Willys Jeep A Trench !!!!
Based off a CJ5
Very rare find!!!
Rear trencher attachment and front blade for backfilling or snow removal
134F head engine
Was running a year ago.
Needs work to make it a runner.
Missing fuel tank,
Body tub is in fair shape, we have new ones in stock also.
Would make an excellent winter project!!
We have a title in hand.”
Thanks to a couple folks for sharing this link. It has an automatic?
https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/d/jeep-trench/6687497420.html
“I’m trying to sell this Jeep truck equipment vehicle for this old man he’s asking 4000 for it I don’t know much about it but we can go look at it. He has a lot of other things for sale too.”
UPDATE: Still Available. No pics provided.
https://dubuque.craigslist.org/pts/d/vintage-willys-jeep-rolling/6638871386.html
“I am parting out a Willys Jeep CJ2 CJ3 rolling chassis that at one time had a PTO driven rear trencher on it. I have already used the following: wheels/tires……springs…..PTO driveshaft. They are not for sale.
The following parts are for sale:
Front driveshaft……….$150
Rear driveshaft………..$150
Transmission…………..$225
Transfer case…………..$225
Front axle……………….$175
Rear axle………………..$150
Frame…………………….$150 (has cracks and reinforcements)
Engine block ……………$125 (missing head and intake/exhaust manifold as well as other small parts)
PTO shift unit…………..$175
Complete trencher drive system ……..PTO shift unit…….engage/disengage control w/sprocket……large drive sprocket from emergency brake hub…….two drive shafts with universal joints…….shaft mounting pillow blocks…….rear chain drive sprocket
………………………………$400 for all trencher stuff.
Email or call with any questions…….NO TEXTS……NO TEXTS
Thanks”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $300.
Mike spotted this trencher.
“1960s Auburn Trencher that will cut 12″ wide and up to 10′. Bracket on back will attach to Willys Jeep. This is not a show piece and will need some work to get it functional, but all the pieces are there. There is an awful lot of steel so it could be worth scrapping. We can work out delivery if needed.”
UPDATE: **SOLD**
Seller believes it to be a Tux Park.
“For sale I have I believe a 1964 willys cj5 tuxedo park with 15000 original mileage. This was purchased from the original owner. I had this running a couple years ago it ran great the dauntless v6 ran great and it drove good. The trencher worked just as it should. It is equipped with a half cab that is in great shape. There is some small spots of surface rust here or there but it Is rock solid no rot. The trencher has been on since day one I have the tailgate that was removed to install it. Along with the jeep I have a ton of spare trencher parts there is almost enough to build a second trencher minus the boom. I have no clue what this is worth I don’t want to give it away if interested message me and we can talk.”
TJ shared this post from Barnfinds.com of a collection of jeeps near Franklin, Pennsylvania. I figured someone might recognize the location?
https://barnfinds.com/roadside-junkyard-fiasco/
Here are a couple pics:
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2800.
(01/22/2018) Ted’s got this trencher for sale.
“For sale late sixties CJ5 Auburn Jeep A Trench 1968? Would make a great yard truck/ Plow Jeep,comes with dirt plow and snow plow. Starts, runs good and drives , clutch feels good , no brakes . Body’s kinda rough but frame looks pretty good . Havent had a chance to go over it well to check everything but seems to be pretty complete , missing one of the augers. PTO engages and shaft spins . Not very familiar with these units so will try my best to answer any questions. Looks complete enough to restore or get going and use as is, or would be a great parts donor for another Auburn Trencher unit. Front counter weight there ,as is the creeper gear , pto assembly, Fhead motor, overload springs ( Canfields or Koenigs ?) etc Too many Jeeps to work on this one needs a new home $2800 Feel free to call,text, or email for details , I will try my best to answer all questions. If I miss your call (very loud at work) I will return the call”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4000.
“1953 Willys Jeep, front blade, metal half cab, Auburn trencher, x-Bflo. Fire Dept. Telegraph Dept., 8500 original miles – needs restoration. $4000.”
This was published around 1950. It’s less story and more marketing, but still interesting. The argument that the trencher doesn’t affect the roadability of the jeep might be a stretch ….
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2800.
(12/04/2017) Ted’s selling this CJ-5. I estimate it to be around mid 1968, but that’s just a guess based on the serial number.
“For sale late sixties CJ5 Auburn Jeep A Trench . Starts, runs good and drives , clutch feels good , no brakes . Body’s kinda rough but frame looks pretty good . Havent had a chance to go over it well to check everything but seems to be pretty complete , missing one of the augers. PTO engages and shaft spins . Not very familiar with these units so will try my best to answer any questions. Looks complete enough to restore or get going and use as is, or would be a great parts donor for another Auburn Trencher unit. Front counter weight there ,as is the creeper gear , pto assembly, Fhead Governor , overload springs ( Canfields or Koenigs ?) etc”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1500.
Nick’s selling this trencher jeep.
“For sale is a 1946 Willys CJ2A I purchased in St. Louis. It was used as a true agrijeep, fitted with the early Jeep-A-Trench equipment. It has:
-Complete PTO system
-Complete gear-engagement system
-Trencher mount
-Coil helper springs
-Complete engine that turns free
-Trans/tcase”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1000.
(09/13/2017) Craig shared this one. Seller is including a snow plow and front counter weight as well. Looks like a good price.
“1957 Jeep A Trench trencher,snow plow and front counter weight. Will sell all together or separately”
This photo from the October 1954 issue of Kaiser Willys News got me thinking. Anyone know when the first jeep trenchers were manufactured?
