Marking lines to dig an area

[RayCo]

I'm wondering what people use to mark the areas that you need to dig out with a backhoe. I need to dig out an 11' square area about 12" deep, and what I'd typically do is paint lines on the ground to do something like this. But, inevitably, the lines get covered or obscured in some other way by the time I'd actually get to finishing. This usually didn't ever matter, because estimating where they were was always fine. But, in this particular task, I want to be a accurate as possible when I'm digging. I've also used string before, but that winds up getting in the way and getting ripped out.

Perhaps the answer is to use the distant marker method, where you put two stakes in the same line as the one you're digging on, but at a distance away from where you're digging and from each other, and eyeball up their alignment to keep myself straight.

 

[keyman1808]

I use paint and drive wooden atkes at the 4 corners (if its a square). I place the stakes just outside of where the digging needs to be so I dont loose my marker. I make them the same distance from the edge all the way around so they dont fall in when I dig.

 

[tommu56]

I use the offset lines for out bx's 2' just mises the wheel if you kep a line on stales run your wheel down the line.

I also put lime on the line were Ii want trench to go alot cheaper than spray paint

tom

 

[Inky05]

The wife just stands there and points

 

[apease]

I just run the lines well beyond the area to be excavated. It worked well on small holes at least. Might work in your situation too. http://www.adampease.org/Construction/carport/DSC_0127.JPG

 

[NHbotanut]

I will sometimes drive in stakes and run some colored string so I stay inside the box or whatever the design is. I'll spray paint the general line and then use the string for the fine tune digging.

 

[MMagis]

Do your perimeter with a flat shovel.

 

[RayCo]

I don't know how to use a shovel anymore.

 

[/pine]

I usually just use a series of sticks.. If it is critical to not dig beyond the intended area I cut it in with machete and remove a line of sod/turf...

 

[repete]

Cheap bag of lime.