Diggin It
Super Star Member
I got it. I got it. I got it
I ain't got it.
I broke it.
It was 18-20' above ground, so by the formula posted above, I figured 30" buried, maybe 36". I got to 48" and still didn't get to the bottom of it. But at the point I could lean it over 30 degrees or more. With a tow strap, it leaned another 15 degrees or so before ...... SNAP. Ooops.
Tried to get the broken base out of the ground. No go. Neither the FEL or BH would lift it. Had to have the neighbor come over with his 4020. Once he pulled it up (with ease) and laid it down, I could lift it by hand ... probably 80 lbs or better, but I could. Figure the suction and 50 years added enough resistance that Lil Blue couldn't handle it. Turns out there was almost 5 feet buried.
Looking at it (pictures later), it was partially rotted at ground level so there was very little chance it was going to come out and go back up in one piece. Kind of surprised it hadn't come down in a storm after looking at it.
Neighbor reminded me he had a 40 footer a utility company had left behind when they replaced a few poles. Went at that one with a pole length adjuster (chain saw) and we were able to get that one uprighted. This one is down 3 feet. 24' total, 20-21' above ground. 10% of the pole length would be around 2', plus a little over a foot is what I did. Tried to go deeper, but the gravel was packed too hard. Base is packed and tamped, but I may add a couple of guy wires for a few months until it settles well with weather. No power lines on it for stress, only a single telephone wire and a camera.
I ain't got it.
I broke it.
It was 18-20' above ground, so by the formula posted above, I figured 30" buried, maybe 36". I got to 48" and still didn't get to the bottom of it. But at the point I could lean it over 30 degrees or more. With a tow strap, it leaned another 15 degrees or so before ...... SNAP. Ooops.
Tried to get the broken base out of the ground. No go. Neither the FEL or BH would lift it. Had to have the neighbor come over with his 4020. Once he pulled it up (with ease) and laid it down, I could lift it by hand ... probably 80 lbs or better, but I could. Figure the suction and 50 years added enough resistance that Lil Blue couldn't handle it. Turns out there was almost 5 feet buried.
Looking at it (pictures later), it was partially rotted at ground level so there was very little chance it was going to come out and go back up in one piece. Kind of surprised it hadn't come down in a storm after looking at it.
Neighbor reminded me he had a 40 footer a utility company had left behind when they replaced a few poles. Went at that one with a pole length adjuster (chain saw) and we were able to get that one uprighted. This one is down 3 feet. 24' total, 20-21' above ground. 10% of the pole length would be around 2', plus a little over a foot is what I did. Tried to go deeper, but the gravel was packed too hard. Base is packed and tamped, but I may add a couple of guy wires for a few months until it settles well with weather. No power lines on it for stress, only a single telephone wire and a camera.
