Is a 9" bucket good for trenching?

[5030]

Re: Is a 9\" bucket good for trenching?

Henro:

The beer didn't cost you anything, you made it didn't you? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[jmattox1]

Re: Is a 9\" bucket good for trenching?

Which is more important time or money?

If have the time short on cash, and have the back hoe use it.

If you don't have the time money is not a concern by all means rent a trencher.

Me personally I have 2 water lines to put in aprox 150'. I have the back hoe and will use it. Not worried about the time. Money saved from renting will more than pay for all plumbing parts.

 

[chrisjbell]

Re: Is a 9\" bucket good for trenching?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Which is more important time or money?

If have the time short on cash, and have the back hoe use it.

If you don't have the time money is not a concern by all means rent a trencher.

Me personally I have 2 water lines to put in aprox 150'. I have the back hoe and will use it. Not worried about the time. Money saved from renting will more than pay for all plumbing parts. )</font>

Absolutely true. And for 150', considering that we've already invested some fair $$$ in a backhoe (because we need them /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) it probably would make sense to use it, rather than forking over money to rent. At 500' I'd start to wonder - but if I had the time (and money was as tight as it is /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif) I'd use the BH.

For a thousand feet + the trencher would make sense regardless, I'd think.

But I do agree with this point.

 

[hayden]

Re: Is a 9\" bucket good for trenching?

I think the depth you need to reach makes a difference here. If you are only going down 1-2 feet, like with irrigation lines or power, then a trencher works great. Ive found that for water lines that need to be 3-4 feet down, the trencher is problematic. It's hard to reach that depth, adn if y9ou encounter a big rock down there, it won't pull it up and you'll be diging by hand or with the BH anyway.

I dug a 400' water line trench 3-4 feet deep with a 16" bucket. It clearly leaves a bigger scar than a 9" bucket would, but I discovered the value of being able to climb into the trench to connect fittings, etc. and it would have been impossible at that depth with a 9" trench.

Hopefully among all these responses you'll be able to piece together what's best for your situation.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Is a 9\" bucket good for trenching?

There aren't many people from the northern climates here are there? Water pipe needs to be 6' deep where I live. Any trenchers do a good job of that? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

--->Paul

 

[dourobob]

Re: Is a 9\" bucket good for trenching?

How far north is north?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Even in balmy Central Ontario Canada if we want to be sure underground water lines won't freeze we go 4-5 feet in non-travelled areas and at least 6 feet under areas like driveways.
Quite a task for a trencher I think - although I have never used one - but an even bigger challenge for connecting fittings as mentioned earlier.

Bob

 

[jmattox1]

Re: Is a 9\" bucket good for trenching?

Also a point of interest. If I am digging on somewhat flat ground I stay in the BH seat if I need to move. Just throw in neutral raise FEL and stabilizers and use BH to push me back. Set tractor in gear, drop FEL, drop stabilizers and keep digging.

But ALWAYS make sure you are not going to roll into ditch before attempting this.

 

[5030]

Re: Is a 9\" bucket good for trenching?

I know about Ontario winters. I snowmachine every year for 3 weeks in Cochrane, Ont. I don't have a "Skidoo", however. I ride the "other" brand.
Absolutely faster than my Kubota. Does about 135mph if you have the guts and no brains in your thumb

 

[nicklan]

Re: Is a 9\" bucket good for trenching?

hayden,
Beat me to the punch /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I was wondering when someone would post that lived in an area where there is frost 2-3+ feet in the ground. I just put in 500' of line 4+ feet deep and 5+ feet deep with 2" dow board for a thermal break for areas that will be driven over. Took awhile to get done. I have a 18" bucket and all sandy soil, so I had to cut the banks back alot to prevent cave-ins. Looked like I was recreating some type of WWI trench warfare reenactment. The good side is at least now I can run my backhoe fairly well as long as I don't start "thinkin about it" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Nick

 

[5030]

Re: Is a 9\" bucket good for trenching?

You know that's why they make trench boxes? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif