A handling device for depositing a trench box into an open excavation includes at least one reciprocal trench box wall contact member movable along a first axis; motor means for selective movement of the wall contact member; and a coupling for attaching the contact member and the motor means to a prime mover for selectively moving the handling device along an axis generally perpendicular to the first axis. A system for depositing a trench box in an open excavation includes the handling device and a trench box having a plurality of apertures engageable with the at least one wall contact member. A method for depositing a trench box in an open excavation includes operating the handling device with the trench box having the apertures.