A trench excavating machine includes an excavating wheel on which are mounted spaced apart peripheral plates equipped with ripping teeth and spades. The ripping teeth are angled outward from the plates at an acute angle directed in the direction of rotation of the cutting wheel to attack the leading edge of a trench being excavated. Ripping teeth and spades are arranged at varying spacing on succeeding plates about the centerline of the cutting wheel. A transverse conveyor located within the circumference of the cutting wheel transports spoil to the side of the cutting wheel. A spoil deflector removes spoil adhered to the inside of the cutting wheel.