In Need of Trencher Machine Help...

Are you trying to trench for PVC irrigation pipes?

If so, I'd say don't worry too much about clean, straight lines.  The pipes are quite flexible and the trench lines won't be visible once you fill and sod.  As long as you can snake the pipe through the trench (maybe adjusting with a spade for particularly bad spots), you should be fine.

Using a trencher is always hard work, and I imagine very hard work in our soil.  It's normal to feel like you got beaten up by a grizzly the next day.

(I can't help in the morning, sorry, got to be in early neat and clean.  I probably couldn't do all that much better a job anyway.)

Although saving money doing our own landscaping - that just means that EVERYONE in the house who's old enough and able to lift is HELPING OUT!  NOT FUN.  :)