Removing buried electric lines

   / Removing buried electric lines #1  

gstrom99

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I have several buried, unused electric wires and am thinking of pulling them. One set (3 BIG "0" gauge and 3 "8" gauge) that go to a long ago removed grain bin drier, and others to two out buildings. My electrician and some buddies tell me to "just leave 'em". The dangling ends have been there for 30 years probably, and are not connected to power. I'd really like to get rid of them. How can/should I pull these? I'm thinking of wrapping/securing them to the drawbar on the tractor and just pull them. I'm not going to trench them out... If they break, I'll just cut 'em and leave them buried. Anyone do this?
 
   / Removing buried electric lines #2  
I think that's the best you can do. Just gear down slow and PULL! Good luck.
 
   / Removing buried electric lines #3  
I have several buried, unused electric wires and am thinking of pulling them. One set (3 BIG "0" gauge and 3 "8" gauge) that go to a long ago removed grain bin drier, and others to two out buildings. My electrician and some buddies tell me to "just leave 'em". The dangling ends have been there for 30 years probably, and are not connected to power. I'd really like to get rid of them. How can/should I pull these? I'm thinking of wrapping/securing them to the drawbar on the tractor and just pull them. I'm not going to trench them out... If they break, I'll just cut 'em and leave them buried. Anyone do this?
Sounds like what you are proposing is worth a try. Worst that can happen would be that the conductor might break and the remainder stays in the ground.
 
   / Removing buried electric lines #4  
If they are copper, the scrap value could be good, otherwise if they are aluminum I would cut the ends 6" below ground and leave them.
 
   / Removing buried electric lines #6  
I'd leave them. If the sight of them bugs you, bury the ends. Pulling them is not without risk.

All the best,

Peter
 
   / Removing buried electric lines #7  
I guess, if you want to pull 'em out, do it after a good rain........guess it depends on how deep they are..
Cheers,
Mike
 
   / Removing buried electric lines #8  
i'd be shocked if you can move them a inch before they snap, i have dropped coax in the grass and a year later i couldn't remove it, and was snapping it trying to pull it.
 
   / Removing buried electric lines #9  
Digging them out is the only way.
 
   / Removing buried electric lines #10  
I have several buried, unused electric wires and am thinking of pulling them. One set (3 BIG "0" gauge and 3 "8" gauge) that go to a long ago removed grain bin drier, and others to two out buildings. My electrician and some buddies tell me to "just leave 'em". The dangling ends have been there for 30 years probably, and are not connected to power. I'd really like to get rid of them. How can/should I pull these? I'm thinking of wrapping/securing them to the drawbar on the tractor and just pull them. I'm not going to trench them out... If they break, I'll just cut 'em and leave them buried. Anyone do this?
Are the danglers on both ends? As in, are they still connected at the source? That could get ugly if you pull them out. Just asking. 🙃

I recall someone on here years back that came home to find their service entrance cable had been stolen... yanked out of the ground...

Ahhh, here it is. It was Eddie's neighbor. Interesting read, and might give you some ideas how to pull them out.

 

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