There is disclosed an apparatus and method for moving with an excavator arm a trench box having a pair of adjacent spreader bars at a forward end. The apparatus has a bracket end for connecting to the excavator arm and a hooking fork. The hooking fork has a first surface that engages the first spreader bar of the trench box. The apparatus also includes a second surface for engaging the adjacent second spreader bar when used to lift the trench box from the trench or move the trench box along the trench floor.