DIY Digging trenches for Geothermal

Gofast · Nov 20, 2018

I am looking at digging my own loop field. Two trenched 300 long 6 deep.
I would buy a 16" bucket to do this job.
I have a potato plow and I was thinking about using to start off the trenches.
It may save some digging time.

Has anyone else done this job or dug long deep trenches.

Code54 · Nov 21, 2018

Having dug several larger trenches I don't really think it will matter much if you are using a decent sized hoe or Mini Ex. On the mini I ran a 4' deep water line trench the other day, maybe 30+ feet (little trench, 12" wide bucket for this one), dropped the line in and burred it in about 30 or so minutes. The small amount of dirt moved with the plow won't take more than a minute on the machine so by the time you change the implements, adjust, plow, put away you could have just dug it and been done.

Code54 · Nov 21, 2018

On another note, if you are planning on doing with with a sub compact it will be a LONG project. Digging that deep is very slow on a small hoe since you need to move the machine every foot or two. Rent a Mini Ex and you can knock it out in no time with a LOT less effort.

Gofast · Nov 21, 2018

We posted at the same time

I want to use my CG 1710 I know a mini Ex will be much faster but I really want to use what I have. I have been able to move my tractor with just the hoe with out getting off the tractor.
I just lifted the front end loader and out riggers used the hoe to move the tractor forward.

This weekend I may dig a test trench and time it. First 3' goes fast but I need to test dig deeper.

edgarrian · Nov 21, 2018

Not sure what your depth of the hoe is on tractor but I believe it will depend on the ground ur digging. The type of soil. If its sandy material then you should use an excavator for safety reasons. If its clay and ur trench starts getting water in it. Becarefull when working in a 6ft deep trench as the side can cave in. If you need to fold back the edges of the trench to prevent cave in then do so. As I said this really depends on your type of soil

Diggin It · Nov 21, 2018

At 6' deep, you'll be at the maximum depth. At 600' you may be over stressing the machine. These are made for casual digging, not production work.

Can it be done? Maybe. I haven't tried digging a trench yet, and I haven't gone below about 3' and I'm not sure I would want to.

3Ts · Nov 21, 2018

How wide is your trench? If it's only one bucket width wide it will be easier. I had to dig a hole 9' x 11' and 8' deep with my backhoe (18" bucket) and the depth was close to it's limits. I had to dig along one side move the tractor over to the other side to get the width, then move forward about a foot and repeat. Then there is the spoil. It makes a pile taller than I could reach so I had to spend time moving it back as well. It's a long process but can be done. Be careful, those depths can be dangerous from both falling in and from cave-in.

shooterdon · Nov 21, 2018

I understand the DIY aspect and wanting to use that BH you invested in. But there are times farming out the job makes sense. My concern woukd not be the time it takes, but I am retired; or the stress on the machine, just go slow. My concern is the safety aspect.

buckeyefarmer · Nov 21, 2018

I bought my BH92 for that very reason. I dug 5 trenches 70'x3' wide for slinkies. 18" bucket. Do not remove soil first, it will make it worse. Did not take too long. Doing the geo install myself instead of "farming it out" paid for the tractor and backhoe.