how was this? i'm about to embark on something similar in the next weeks and am wondering just how long it's really going to take. need to dig about 200', 40" deep.
as you were moving along the trench were you able to raise the bucket and scoot the tractor along with the backhoe, or do you need to actually drive forward.
It might be worth your while to rent a trencher
first to accomplish several things;
1. break the hardpan to 40 inches in depth
2. push aside the volume of dirt removed
by the trencher as you are pulling the
dirt through the trench with less effort
3. give yourself an automatic bench mark
to follow for the depth of the trench.
4. this will be the big help-dig the trench to
reduce the time needed for the excavation
and break through any roots first and find
any thick roots you may have to cut with
a saw.
a. this will also reduce the strain on the lower
boom as the less dirt there is, the less chance
there is that the cylinders on the lower boom
and dipper bucket will be bent as there is less
mass to dig against as the trench allows the dirt
to be pulled forward with near zero resistance.
Before you backfill-
Fill the trench with water to make quick work of the
settling and then have near zero work to do when
regrading after a few days as the water will hasten
the settling of the dirt.
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Pronovost or not at all!!!:thumbsup::licking::drool: