Backhoe Backhoe trenching

notamustang · Apr 20, 2005

2.5' at 700' I would go with a ride on trencher. How rocky though? They get bouncing when you start hitting larger rocks /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Also you will want to dig to about 3' so you do not have clear out the whole trench. There will be spots but for the most part 3' should cover a lot of the clean out.

michiglenn · Apr 20, 2005

I just put in 500' of 4" perforated tile in my fields. Depth was 3-4 feet with a 24" bucket. I am reasonably efficient I believe, and I averaged 50' an hour, total job (digging, uncoiling, laying, leveling, and covering). You will not be as fast or efficient as a trencher, but I have the backhoe for a variety of uses, so that is what I use. Good luck, and enjoy your machine. It sounds like you are going to learn a lot real soon... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

JerryG · Apr 20, 2005

An experienced operator digging to that depth with that hoe should be able to dig at about 50 feet per hour in that kind of soil.

bandit67 · Apr 20, 2005

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( How deep do the standard rental trenchers go? I have about 700 feet of trench to do real soon and was going to use my backhoe, but if the trencher will go through rocky soil to about 2 1/2 feet, it sound alot quicker. )</font>

Well then why did you buy a backhoe? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Part of the justification for the backhoe is so you don't have to rent equipment. Shame on you for even considering NOT spending that quality time on your own backhoe, and renting another machine to make the job go "a lot quicker". /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif How will you even be able to go out and sit on your backhoe after making it sit and watch you putting your hands all over that other machine? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif And don't think your BX won't know what's going on out there if you try to lock it in the garage. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

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SCB · Apr 20, 2005

Yes. I have considered what my BX will be feeling while locked in the garage. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

That was too funny. The reason I am considering using a trencher is speed. The 700 feet that I have to trench will be on three other properties that have been nice enough to give me an easement. The other part about the trencher is there is less soil disturbance. I have to cross three driveways in that 700 feet also. I'm thinking that I could be done much faster with the trencher. I have timed myself on a few other projects and I am at about 50 feet an hour with my hoe. So if I can complete ditching in one day with the trencher I can be backfilled and complete in a weekend.

m3rd · Apr 20, 2005

I used a trencher for 3" drainage pipe a couple of years ago. Just last week I extended the pipe using my BX23. There was no contest. The trencher could not go through rock and the cutting chain would come off. It took me all day to go 80 feet at 2 ft down. With the BX23 I went 50 feet in an hour.

SCB · Apr 20, 2005

What kind of rock were you encountering. I have some rocks that will range from softball size down, but mostly they will be golfball size. What do you think? Thanks for the help.

m3rd · Apr 21, 2005

Rocks would vary in size from 3" to 10" in diameter. Golf ball size should not be a problem for a trencher.

LBrown59 · Apr 22, 2005

1*First get some paint or lime and mark the line you are going to dig.
2*Don't try to dig at the limit of the hoe's reach. It will mostly pull you backwards.
v8dave
******************
1*I found that aluminum spray paint is the most visible for this.
Just started to lay out the paint line for a 150 to 200 foot ditch this morning but got rained out before I could get it painted.
I drove a stake at each end of where the ditch will be. Next step is to run a string line flat on the ground from one stake to the other then paint a 3 or 4 inch wide mark right down the through the yard using the string as the center of the paint mark.
Once you've painted the line simply straddle it with the tractor.
As you dig keep the painted line centered with the center of the bucket.
When you get done you should have a nice straight ditch.
BTW: Don't forget to take up the string before you start digging. LOL
If I'm on any kind of a slope I always lower the out rigger that's on the down hill side first. When I go to move the tractor I always raise the up hill out rigger first.
2*Because the BH can or does move the tractor around I keep a close watch on where the out rigger pads are at all times.
The last thing you want is for them to drop into a low or soft spot and flip the tractor.