RegL
Platinum Member
One thing not mentioned yet. Before you start digging, you should call in a utility locating servece to mark any that might be there. Big fines for digging up phone cables, electric,ect. Not to mention it could light you up.
Backhoe Backhoe trenching
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LBrown59
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you should call in a utility locating service to mark any that might be there.
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Just because you call it don't mean all utilities will mark their lines because not all the companies are signed up with the call before you dig utility locating service outfits.
I ran into this last Monday when I called call before you dig.
I had to call and notify the TV cable company the water company and a sewer out fit I didn't even know was around because none of them were signed up with call before you dig so the utility locating service would not notify these three utilities.
So I had to do that on my own.
Disclaimer:
This was just relating my experience but since experience don't count naturally someone without this experience would know more about it.
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Just because you call it don't mean all utilities will mark their lines because not all the companies are signed up with the call before you dig utility locating service outfits.
I ran into this last Monday when I called call before you dig.
I had to call and notify the TV cable company the water company and a sewer out fit I didn't even know was around because none of them were signed up with call before you dig so the utility locating service would not notify these three utilities.
So I had to do that on my own.
Disclaimer:
This was just relating my experience but since experience don't count naturally someone without this experience would know more about it.
Good points about the utility locator service. I have taken care of that one already. And Lbrown59, while reading your post, I began to think that you were finally getting it. But Nope, you had to throw the disclaimer in there just to incite someone. Just Grow up Man, were here to talk tractors. Not see who we can flame.
PineRidge
Super Member
I do agree with calling the local utilities before you start your dig.
One one particular project the gas company marked their line on the opposite side of the drive where it was actually located so they aren't infallible guys. You would have at least thought that the gas meter on the correct side of the house might have tipped their mistake but hey it was a Monday...... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
When I use the BH I always expect the unexpected that way I'm never surprised when I find it.
One one particular project the gas company marked their line on the opposite side of the drive where it was actually located so they aren't infallible guys. You would have at least thought that the gas meter on the correct side of the house might have tipped their mistake but hey it was a Monday...... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
When I use the BH I always expect the unexpected that way I'm never surprised when I find it.
marks
Silver Member
Rent a ride-on-trencher, i.e. a Ditch Witch I trenched one-half mile in three hours. The soil is clay with some rocks, you can expect some bouncing. Trenching shovels work well for cleaning out the bottom of the trench. As already mentioned contacting the local Underground Service Alert company is a must, yet look for culverts other indicators of sprinkler systems and so forth.
rswyan
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( One one particular project the gas company marked their line on the opposite side of the drive where it was actually located so they aren't infallible guys. You would have at least thought that the gas meter on the correct side of the house might have tipped their mistake but hey it was a Monday...... )</font>
When I was trenching for my french drain and had them out I found out something interesting - the guy who showed up was only there to mark the large high-pressure transmission line that runs across our property. Said a different Dominion East Ohio business unit handles marking the lines that feed premises and he only did the transmission lines. (The premise line and the transmission line are within a couple of feet of each other but are not connected)
Oh yeah - the guys that handle the premise lines either never showed up - or saw the flags that the transmission line guy had put out and figured someone else already tagged them. Didn't bother to stop by or call. Gotta love it.
When I was trenching for my french drain and had them out I found out something interesting - the guy who showed up was only there to mark the large high-pressure transmission line that runs across our property. Said a different Dominion East Ohio business unit handles marking the lines that feed premises and he only did the transmission lines. (The premise line and the transmission line are within a couple of feet of each other but are not connected)
Oh yeah - the guys that handle the premise lines either never showed up - or saw the flags that the transmission line guy had put out and figured someone else already tagged them. Didn't bother to stop by or call. Gotta love it.
PineRidge
Super Member
Rswyan I'll just bet if someone hit their gas line as a result of improperly marking or in your case not marking it at all they would scramble for excuses.
Since they run a tracer wire with the non-metallic gas line I really don't know how one could ever be marked incorrectly in the first place.
Since they run a tracer wire with the non-metallic gas line I really don't know how one could ever be marked incorrectly in the first place.
LBrown59
Super Star Member
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I had to dig a ditch that I had to start at both ends and work toward the middle.
I got it all done but about 15 feet in the middle.
How do I dig this 15' out between the ends of the 2 trenches to link them together?
I got it all done but about 15 feet in the middle.
How do I dig this 15' out between the ends of the 2 trenches to link them together?
kn6md
Member
I have handled the trench meeting in the middle problem two ways. The easiest was for a trench that did not need inspection—I dug about 75% one way, put the PVC water pipe in, and back filled enough to be able to drive over. Turn the backhoe around, start at the other end, and you are able to just back off and over the trench when you reach the backfilled area.
The second method I used was to fill the trench with sections of rail road ties to ground level, cover with three quarter plywood, and drive off. This trench had to stay open for an electrical inspection.
My backhoe will lift the tractor up off of the extended backhoe feet so I can move the machine right or left with the hoe controls to stay centered on the painted dig stripe but only if the FEL is off the ground so that the unit can rotate on the front wheels. Accordingly, I don’t think I could “walk” the backhoe off of the trench like the big Case (and other) machines can. I also don’t know how anyway—I need to see it done--but would probably be afraid to try it.
Another solution mentioned somewhere in TBN was to did a perpendicular trench (in your case 15 feet wide) to connect the two trenches. This has always involved tearing up too much ground for me, although it would work just fine.
Good luck,
Bill Vorhies
The second method I used was to fill the trench with sections of rail road ties to ground level, cover with three quarter plywood, and drive off. This trench had to stay open for an electrical inspection.
My backhoe will lift the tractor up off of the extended backhoe feet so I can move the machine right or left with the hoe controls to stay centered on the painted dig stripe but only if the FEL is off the ground so that the unit can rotate on the front wheels. Accordingly, I don’t think I could “walk” the backhoe off of the trench like the big Case (and other) machines can. I also don’t know how anyway—I need to see it done--but would probably be afraid to try it.
Another solution mentioned somewhere in TBN was to did a perpendicular trench (in your case 15 feet wide) to connect the two trenches. This has always involved tearing up too much ground for me, although it would work just fine.
Good luck,
Bill Vorhies
