Digging trenches
- mikesbytes
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Digging trenches
Postby mikesbytes » Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:10 am
Need to dig 9mtr trench for an electrical cable. Options seem to be;
1. Hire a digger for $265. Problem, it needs a trailer to transport and I aint got one and I don't have a towbar, so the costs go up.
2. Buy a good trench shovel and do it by hand.
3. Pay someone else to do it.
- Mr888
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Postby Mr888 » Sat Feb 03, 2007 10:33 am
It's easier to use a pick-hoe first to loosen up the ground, then followed by a shovel. A good quality spade shovel is the key. Try using your feet and weight to push the shovel into the ground (almost like standing on it). You'll get it done in no time. I should have a spare shovel lying around if you need to borrow one (I'll check the shed).
Electrical cables need to be at least 300mm deep, so it shouldn't be that much effort. Most of my sparkys and telecommunications subbies all do their tranches by hand (most of the time).
The going rate for "day labour" is about $250+GST or a lot lower for cash. Ask any building cadet. I've got heaps of references if you ned some.
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Postby mikesbytes » Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:13 pm
Leaning towards digging it by hand. Too much trouble getting the digger.
I'm not expecting to hit any rock, as I haven't hit it when doing plumbing and if I do, I'll smash it with the digging bar. No paved areas, all grass.
Last time I dug one, I dug it at normal spade width and stood in the trench, broke up the soil with the digging bar. I've since been given an old trenching shovel.
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Postby europa » Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:49 pm
Of course, paying someone to do it doesn't hurt anywhere near as much
Richard
I studied at uni for four years to spend most of my professional life digging holes
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Postby Mr888 » Sat Feb 03, 2007 7:02 pm
I thought you were putting in some telecommunication cables as live electrical cables should be left to licenced electricians. (that hopefully love riding bikes too...relevance to this forum). Not a DIY jobmikesbytes wrote:Yeh 600mm deep for electrical.
Leaning towards digging it by hand. Too much trouble getting the digger.
There are no real standard depth for telecommunication cables, but we keep it at 300mm as a minimum. Power cable is definately 600mm minimum. If you are going that deep though, remember to "dial before you dig 1100". Be carefule of accidentally hitting water, stormwater, gas and other electrical lines, especially in older areas of Sydney. I've come across water pipes that were only +-50mm below ground level
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Postby mikesbytes » Sat Feb 03, 2007 7:13 pm
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Postby Mr888 » Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:54 pm
Let us know what you end up doing. It would have been good if some sort of contraption was made that allowed you to dig the trench with your bike...bike pulling plough
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Postby mikesbytes » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:11 am
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Postby tinstaafl » Sun Feb 04, 2007 4:51 am
May I suggest that you sand and sharpen the shovel and keep it oiled as you work. It is also a good idea to sand the handle and oil it with Lindseed oil.mikesbytes wrote:I've since been given an old trenching shovel.
A sharp smooth well oiled trenching shovel will cut through the earth so much more easily and a smooth well oiled handle will slide through your gloves with much less effort.
Robert
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Postby pospete » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:13 am
tinstaafl wrote:May I suggest that you sand and sharpen the shovel and keep it oiled as you work. It is also a good idea to sand the handle and oil it with Lindseed oil.mikesbytes wrote:I've since been given an old trenching shovel.
A sharp smooth well oiled trenching shovel will cut through the earth so much more easily and a smooth well oiled handle will slide through your gloves with much less effort.
Robert
That makes excellent sense even tho it does sound particularly kinky. to go a step further you could cover yourself in baby oil too.
It sounds fun to me, I'dd just go for it, and i could break in my new shovel too! LOL. Just think how much upper body strength and stamina you will get from doing it.
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Postby mikesbytes » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:24 pm
Burn plenty of Glycogen
training log
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Postby mikesbytes » Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:31 pm
3mtrs * 600mm That's hard work
Burn plenty of Glycogen
training log
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Postby heavymetal » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:01 pm
_________________
Lighting Candlepower - Stupid idea, the wind blows the candles out!
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Postby mikesbytes » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:20 pm
Must of been the 85k I did this morning, I was so slow I'd assumed that it was the following day.
Burn plenty of Glycogen
training log
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Postby mikesbytes » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:25 pm
Rabbit infestation.bicyclewa wrote:Did you apply for a trench digging permit Otherwise you'll have the council around having a go at you about digging a trench without a permit.
Burn plenty of Glycogen
training log
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Postby matagi » Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:13 am
Should we start calling you Emperor Nasi Goreng, then?mikesbytes wrote:Rabbit infestation.bicyclewa wrote:Did you apply for a trench digging permit Otherwise you'll have the council around having a go at you about digging a trench without a permit.
Burn plenty of Glycogen
Will you be putting in a wall to deter the rabbits?
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Postby mikesbytes » Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:16 pm
Rabbits are a good source of protein and there small enough to put on the BBQ. I need plenty of energy now, cos I just rode through RNP on another epic ride and the trench is calling.matagi wrote:Should we start calling you Emperor Nasi Goreng, then?mikesbytes wrote:Rabbit infestation.bicyclewa wrote:Did you apply for a trench digging permit Otherwise you'll have the council around having a go at you about digging a trench without a permit.
Burn plenty of Glycogen
Will you be putting in a wall to deter the rabbits?
Burn plenty of Glycogen
training log
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Postby sogood » Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:13 pm
Don't know how you do it? Where did you find the energy and glycogen store to do all these?mikesbytes wrote:Rabbits are a good source of protein and there small enough to put on the BBQ. I need plenty of energy now, cos I just rode through RNP on another epic ride and the trench is calling.
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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Postby mikesbytes » Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:44 pm
Dug 1.5 metres and then had to go shopping and I've just got back. If I can dig another 1.5 metres tonight I'll be happy. Very sore but happy.
Burn plenty of Glycogen
training log
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Postby matagi » Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:35 pm
That's ok if they are farmed rabbits, which have more fat on them. However, wild rabbits will be too dry if you barbecue them - better to cook 'em up with plenty of garlic and red wine and serve with mashed tatties to soak up the resulting sauce (oh, and a green salad) ..... yummo!mikesbytes wrote:Rabbits are a good source of protein and there small enough to put on the BBQ. I need plenty of energy now, cos I just rode through RNP on another epic ride and the trench is calling.
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