Abstract: A machine adapted to lay a utility cable underground and characterized by leaving no substantial and lasting scar at the surface of the ground, by laying the cable at a uniform depth, by being usable even over the softest ground without leaving any lasting imprint, and by using a reciprocative cutting action avoiding impact vibrations and the annoyance thereof. This machine comprises a body mounted on runners, a cutter in the form of a lever pivoted to the body about a transverse axis and having a cutting edge extending endwise from the body below the runners, a camshaft and motor actuating the cutter, a cable guide guiding the cable downwardly coextensive with the cutting edge, ground-engaging wheels, and a handle carrying the wheels and articulated to select one of three distinct elevation of the wheels relative to the body of the machine.