Backhoe Learning to use backhoe

[pitt_md]

I wanted to get the opinions of some of you who own/use backhoes a lot about some work I need to do. I need to trench in a water line to a new horse pasture I am putting in. The trench will be 4' deep and about 50 feet long. I also want to dig a trench to run electricity to the new pasture for an automatic watering system. This trench will be about 100' long and 18" deep.
The problem is that I have never operated a backhoe before and plan to rent one to do it myself. The rental/delivery for the backhoe for one day will be $400 - $500. Getting a excavator to come out and do the work will be around double the DIYS method. Can I as an able, well versed tractor operator expect to get this done in one day? There are no obstructions or obsticals in the path of these trenches. The soil is a sand clay mixture. At this point in time I do not know what size or power the rental unit will be.

All opinions welcome.

Thanks

 

[Egon]

Have you considered a trencher like a ditch witch? Might be a whole pile faster and cheaper.

 

[pitt_md]

In my situation I do not know how I could use a trencher. I built a new house last year and when I did I had the excavator bury a water line just beyond where the well is located. This water line stub is conected to a shut off valve in my basement. Unless I dig down by hand to find the buried line I need to connect to I don't know how I could use a trencher. My back goes out on a regular basis now that I am 50+. I don't mind hard work but don't need to be layed up for a another week trying to finish this project off before winter sets in.

 

[hr3]

I think your going to be pushing it to get it all done in one day.. I have a backhoe on my tractor and I know the first trench i did took a while.. Getting the bottom somewhat level laying the pipe/wire and then trying to back fill neatly.. A weekend would be better just incase...

Good luck and let us know how you make out,,,

 

[Richard]

Unfortunately, I think Egon is right (not to offend you Egon! )

A ditch witch type thing will make this job done in probably 90 minutes?

Now if we set that aside and ascertain that you PREFER to play on a backhoe.... then yes, I still think you can get this done in a day.

The first time I ever used a hoe, I rented a Kubota L-38. I was going to go to the back side of the farm and practice using it...then I stopped, slapped myself upside the head and said, why don't I simply go dig where I want to dig? After all.... if I screw it up, it's not like I'm not already TRYING to harm the ground!!

Second thought... if indeed, you WANT to play on a backhoe (and I use the word 'play' intentionally....cause it CAN be fun!!)

Anyways, if you want to do this on a backhoe, then I'd strongly suggest renting an industrial type machine if you can.

My dad asked me a couple of years ago, to spend the weekend in Lexington, SC to help him at his mother in laws house (my dad at age 75 had a mother in law)

He wanted a section of her dirt/sand yard dug up where a bunch of bush roots had been standing. I agreed. He asked what to rent? Since I have an industrial BH, I suggested he get one.

When I got there, I found a gas powered Terramite machine. He realized it wasn't the full size I was asking for. I got to work on the ground.

I worked this ground for two days digging up these roots and bushes and still, probably didn't get all done that I wanted to get done. The reach on this machine was maybe 9' (as contrasted with maybe 15' on my machine) the digging power of this machine was but a fraction of the power I have. The speed of the controls on this machine was a fraction of what I have. The final insult.... about 3/4 through the last (fortunately) day, one of the wobble sticks broke. Seems the wobble stick ...how to describe this... simply has a bolt that goes through it, holding it onto the valve underneith. I don't think I personally did all this damage but rather it finally gave way while I was using it. What happened is the bolt that holds the lever to the valve reamed out and stripped the threads in the valve body. This rendered the machine useless to me since I was using the hoe 99% of the time.

I'm convinced that had I had my much larger, heavier machine there I would have been able to do the entire job on the first day rather than work two full days and still not get it totally done (thanks in part to the breaking of the wobble stick). The wobble stick was simply more insult to me because it showed me these aren't built as heavy duty as an industrial machine.

I think Dad saved $200 though!!

I don't really know the number but for the aggrivation I had using this smaller machine, I would have paid the differrence myself to have used a more capable machine. Would have made my life a lot easier that day.

 

[pitt_md]

Where it might be fun to play on a backhoe I just want this blasted project done. I have spent my entire summer busting my butt building a horse shelter and fencing (don't even get me started on that!) that still is not done due to the bedrock I hit at the other end of the field.

Can a trenching device go down 4'? This is Minnesota ya know. If its not deep its junk.

The place I was planning on renting from had industrial class case machines. They recently sold both of there rental units which is why I do not know exactly what machine they will have for me.

 

[workinallthetime]

I would rent a small bobcat style excavator, you can move down the line much faster than you can with a tractor mounted hoe. Depending on the unit the boom is longer which gives you greater digging distance which equals less time spent moving the unit, and swival time is faster. Find out what they have for you and do a little research before you pick it up.

this is what im talking about and he is 6 years old

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQBuDwq0wr4

 

[backdoor]

Be sure to have the underground utilities marked. That's a free service around here. We call Miss Utility if there is any question at all about underground public utilities. Just a thought.

 

[wolc123]

Using a Case 580k or equivalent, as an experienced tractor operator with no hoe experience, figure on about an hour to get reasonably proficient with the machine (It aint as hard as it looks). Start out away from the buildings and keep other people away. The twin joystick controls on modern hoes are real easy to get the hang of. Using a 12" or 18" wide bucket, it should take you about 1.5 hours to dig your 50x4' trench and an hour for your 100x18" trench. I dont know how long your piping/etc will take. One day is way more than almost anyone would need for these simple tasks with an industrial machine like this and you should be able to have all the trenching done in under (4) hours including the learning. I cant imagine the ditcher being nearly as fun as the backhoe. I never like working near houses because of buried wires, pipelines etc, but it sounds like you dont have to worry about those. Good luck with the project. I spent a lot of hours on a 580C when I was young.

 

[johnnylight]

You mention 2 jobs the water and electric.
for both jobs if you rent you will find things don't work out, like the weather.
you know how it goes everything going smoothly then you have to stop for different reasons.

My suggestion is to take that rental money and put towards buying your own.
not rushing making mistakes because the rental is due back.
If you get one make sure it is frame mounted type for your tractor.

There's always work for a back hoe owning a home...