Trench Digging

[Alan W.]

Sometimes you cant dig and cover as you go due to inspections needed.
Walking a dedicated backhoe over and around ditches is easy once you get the hang of it. Like all things it takes a little practice.
I always liked the old Case controls, you controlled the swing with your feet. Made it easier to lean back and control the bucket with a free hand.
Until you practice with your machine you dont know what it can and cant do, so have at it.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ They don't always need he whole length left open. I'm talking about filling a 10-15' section, enough to drive over.

 

[JakeLS]

I did think of the backfill method but he already had all the pipe glued when I got there so it had to go in all at once. I know the hoe will lift the rear of the tractor, i did it while trying to smooth the bottom of the trench. I'm not sure if i can lift and pivot but it's worth trying out the next time i have it hooked up.

 

[3Ts]

Walking a dedicated backhoe over and around ditches is easy once you get the hang of it. Like all things it takes a little practice.

All dedicated backhoes should be able to do this. Ag tractor mounted backhoes, not necessarily. Mine will lift one rear wheel off the ground, not both, so swinging the back end is a problem since i'd have to drag one rear wheel.

For digging ditches, mini-x can't be beat.

 

[woody]

just dig the last ten feet or so from the side if possible.

 

[dieselscout80]

Maybe dig both ends first and then the trench.

 

[4570Man]

Maybe dig both ends first and then the trench.

How would that help?

 

[4570Man]

For digging ditches, mini-x can't be beat.

Except maybe a trencher. I’d rather cover the trench back up with a loader bucket anytime.

 

[JakeLS]

I thought of this too. It would work but wouldnt be ideal. My hoe doesnt swing a full 90 so I have to dig at a slight angle or the one back tire will end up in the trench. In most cases I can deal with that.

just dig the last ten feet or so from the side if possible.

 

[JakeLS]

Hopefully I'll have a couple of dry hours tomorrow to try walking the tractor with the Hoe. If that doesn't work then I'll carry a couple of short lengths of 2x12 to bridge the gap. I think they would carry the weight over such a short span, the bucket is only a 12 inch.