Ditch Witch or Box Blade / Scaraff and Stump Bucket

GE7EA · Oct 20, 2020

I've got a neighbor who asked me for input concerning a waterline leak. It's isolated between the meter and where it enters the house. The problem is the waterline runs under or right beside a 3.5' diameter oak tree. We have talked about running a whole new line or trying to repair the existing one. The current line is about 30 years old. So replacing it seems to be the to do. Neither of us has used a trencher or Ditch Witch so I was wondering if the dear people on TBN could shed some advice? I have a stump bucket and a box blade where I would drop one or two scaraffs down to break up the dirt then use the stump bucket to do the majority of the clean out. Any ideas are much appreciated.

4570Man · Oct 20, 2020

How many feet is the line? If it’s soft soil and it doesn’t to be deep you could probably dig it with the regular front bucket.

/pine · Oct 20, 2020

IMO...nothing would be easier than using a trencher...walk behind or ride on....check your local rental companies...

GE7EA · Oct 20, 2020

Thanks for the input. The line is probably 40'-50' from the meter to the wall of the house.
Might I add that in Upstate SC, there is no such thing as "soft soil". It's typically hard as heck.

GE7EA · Oct 20, 2020

In speaking with my neighbor, she said that she could rent a mini ex for 300$ / day. That should be over kill but would be fun to use.

4570Man · Oct 21, 2020

You could probably hire someone and have the job done for $300, they’re probably going to charge tax and delivery on top of that. I’d be happy to do one for that if it was local. I usually charge $2 a foot for digging/cover up but 50’ wouldn’t be above the minimum. Do yourself a favor and don’t use black poly. Use 3/4 PVC. Don’t use a plastic thread fitting in the meter box either.

GE7EA · Oct 21, 2020

My neighbor is getting some quotes. The first one came back with $1900 which is what led her to start looking at other options. I gave her the number of the guy that does well work for me, he should be much more reasonable than that. Either way the advice that 4570Man has given has been of great benefit. Nice pic BTW. We'll see what they come back with.