donb108
New Member
I'll need to bury some conduit soon and wondered if anyone has tried this trenching spade before. This video shows the 10" version, but now he makes a 12" version also. Anyone try it out yet?
Any experience with this trenching spade?
- Thread starter donb108
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rodrick
Free energy enthusiast
Depending on the size of the conduit it might work but it’s for putting direct burying wire in for irrigation and phone lines ect at a very shallow depth
donb108
New Member
Right, most of the videos show low voltage stuff with no conduit. I'm planning 1" PVC, carrying 7 conductors, at 18". He has another video showing the 10" version going down to 15" by taking a second pass at it. I was considering getting the 12" version, doing two passes, and hoping to get deep enough.
42OhmsPA
Who likes Electrical Gremlins?
If you have amazing soil it might work.
I'd rent a ditch witch or backhoe with a skinny bucket.
Work smarter not harder.
TM48
Solar Wizard
rogerheflin
Solar Addict
I had time and dug my trench by hand. The first 10-12" of soil was amazing...the last 6-10" was clay and no fun at all.
42OhmsPA
Who likes Electrical Gremlins?
TM48
Solar Wizard
Yeah if you have rock or shale I'd hire someone with a small backhoe. For what the rental places want to rent a backhoe you can probably get a small operator to do the job cheaper.
doityourself2021
Never Give Up - Ever
Or it may be a wash, break even. and you had to do all the work.. however, if you like running equipment and maybe have a few other things you can do at same time you have the rental. becomes a good plan
donb108
New Member
Actually, it is kinda amazing. I'm in south Louisiana where the soil is pretty sandy. And, my neighborhood used to be a farm; really nice soil. When I drove in ground rods for the shed, it was like butter for the first six feet, then hit something really hard; had to move over a few inches and try again.
The trench will be 136 feet and 54 of that is fenced-in; probably can't get a ditch-witch through the gate, so will probably have to dig it by hand, or, something.
I was considering hiring a contractor to do some of this. Maybe I'll get a price for the trench at the same time.
As I recall, I had guy with a back hoe dig an 18" trench for a french drain. It was smooth sailing until he hit some giant roots and rocks. Maybe I'll do a test dig to see what I hit.
It sounds like nobody has actually tried this trenching spade, but everyone is sceptical that it would work. The tool is kinda pricey, about $250 with shipping. I hardly ever dig trenches, so it may not be worth having the tool. If I can get it done for under $400 or $500, that might be a better choice. Or, I might get lucky with the test dig.
Q-Dog
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Most rental places should have a walk behind trencher that will easily dig down 18" and fit through a 3 foot gate.
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TM48
Solar Wizard
The older I get the more I'm willing to spend on equipment.
42OhmsPA
Who likes Electrical Gremlins?
If you have a HD nearby check out what they have.
If the gate is normal width the smaller ones should fit through it with ease.
136' 18" deep by hand sounds miserable, regardless the soil type. I don't consider myself lazy rather efficient...
Trencher Rentals - Trenchers & Diggers for Rent - The Home Depot Rental
Trencher rentals simplify tough projects. Install utility lines, irrigation systems, drainage and more with a trench digger rental from The Home Depot Rental.
www.homedepot.com
If the gate is normal width the smaller ones should fit through it with ease.
136' 18" deep by hand sounds miserable, regardless the soil type. I don't consider myself lazy rather efficient...
donb108
New Member
Not really a fan of Ditch Witch; they're great on flat, wide open spaces, but a real chore if it's on a slope. I'll take a look at Home Depot, maybe one of the smaller machines will work.
I have about 42", it'll probably fit.
kscessnadriver
Solar Enthusiast
I trenched ~300 feet with a walk behind Ditch Witch in a few hours, in ground that can be best described as clay. I’ve got a 1 ton mini excavator, but decided that it was going to be way easier with a trencher
skyking1
Solar Addict
A JD 17 excavator has expandable undercarriage. When narrowed up it is a tippy little creature at 39",
but it expands to 52" and is reasonably stable.
The 17 is the smallest machine I have operated that can "walk and chew gum" at the same time. It behaves like a typical excavator with balanced controls. I have run a few in commercial settings like that one and was impressed for what it was. We have a 35 and a 120 but they were not fitting in this maritime museum.
See if you can get one with expandable tracks like that. Call 811 before you dig, regardless of private property or not. The call is free and worth all that.
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