Trenching - Backhoe or Sub-soiler?

[scoutcub]

A future (this year) project is running a trench approx. 100' for electric service to a garage. I have a backhoe, but my narrowest bucket is 1'. Was thinking about a sub-soiler, but wondering about how deep can they go? Can you get 2' deep with a subsoiler or middle buster?
It's not a straight line from origin to destination, so I'm thinking the subsoiler would be easier.....looking for some opinions!

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Geez, I don't think a sub-soiler will go down 2' but, don't take my word for it.

I think you're going to want to fire up that backhoe.

Good luck with the dig.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would use the 12" bucket and backhoe and not look back.

 

[oldnslo]

Would a sub soiler leave the trench open? All of the Ag type sub soilers I have seen in use the trench always closes part way behind the unit.

Utilty type plows bury the wire or conduit as you go. Can a sub soiler big configured to do this also?

Roy

 

[Highbeam]

My subsoiler takes every bit of 30 hp to pull through at full depth and is maybe 18" down. You could make multiple passes and if the soil is right you would have opened up a one inch or so slot 18" down. More likely, the slot will fill with chunks of soil making placing the stout cable or conduit very difficult without the use of a trenching shovel.

Why own a backhoe if not for this very type of project?

 

[scoutcub]

My subsoiler takes every bit of 30 hp to pull through at full depth and is maybe 18" down. You could make multiple passes and if the soil is right you would have opened up a one inch or so slot 18" down. More likely, the slot will fill with chunks of soil making placing the stout cable or conduit very difficult without the use of a trenching shovel.

Why own a backhoe if not for this very type of project?

Well........thats the kind of input i'm looking for.........i've got a 32 HP SCT, should b able 2 handle it........

 

[Ken45101]

I did a trench last year for low voltage line that only needed to be a few inches deep (I put it in conduit). I used a subsoiler for most of it, but as others have told you, the dirt falls back in.I don't think you could get a trench open enough with a subsoiler to get a line deep enough for 110/220.

I would go with a backhoe for a 110 or 220 line (which I've done several times.)

I destroyed my subsoiler and toplink doing the project. It hit an old fence post broken off below ground and went sideways and bent the heck out of the top of the subsoiler and bent the threaded portion of the toplink into a u shape before it broke it I finished with the backhoe.

Ken

 

[polo1665]

Hey Frank,
Check this thread out. I always thought this guy had a pretty neat idea using a subsoiler to pull wire.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/122515-pulln-cable.html

Mark

 

[Diamondpilot]

Hey Frank,
Check this thread out. I always thought this guy had a pretty neat idea using a subsoiler to pull wire.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/122515-pulln-cable.html

Mark

This system works well. I used the ripper tooth with a piece of conduit to bury propane line. I stole the idea and it worked like a charm.

Chris

 

[fish6942]

Other than wanting to use what you have, why not rent a walk behind trencher? That's what I used a couple years back when burying a power line about 100'. If I recall, the trencher went at least 3' deep. You may want to check your local codes as well to see what the min depth is. Also, I had to bury a warning tape 1' (??) above the wire per code.

 

[ayelvington]

The subsoiler is fine if you're pulling a single cable, if you want conduit or multiple cables, I'd looking a vibratory plow or a trencher.

If you want to do it yourself, then the backhoe is the way to go.

 

[devildog1]

Backhoe is the way to go, and as you said you already have one, nice clean trench for your electric service. That's the way I'd go.
Devildog

 

[2manyrocks]

100' isn't that far especially if you already have the backhoe.

 

[eepete]

Backhoe. You didn't say if the wire is in conduit or not, but 2' down will be easiest with backhoe. Also, would you want to put other things in the trench such as water or conduit for low voltage? Yes to either question makes the 12" backhoe the only clean way to go.

I've put in a lot of AC, low voltage, and water around my place and always used my 12" bucket on the backhoe. All cable is in conduit. No worries about damaging the cable (rocks or groundhogs), less worries about lightning damage. Put a tape at around 1' deep. If you ever have to cross a cable, you can dig, find the tape, and then use a shovel - you'll run into conduit and not the wire itself. I tend to go down to 2.5' (a little overkill).

Pete

 

[msb1766]

A few years ago I rented a trencher for an A/C line for a pool, It cost me about
$400 for the day, I had to go about 150' it took about 1 1/2 hours to trench the 150' and had to go down 24" in one pass.

I had about 45 min. drive to the rental place to pick it up had to fill it back up with gas and then take it back. Then drive home.


Now that i have a tractor with a backhoe I would just use the backhoe and save the $400 for a new attachment.

 

[scoutcub]

Hey thanks for the responses Gents. Mark - thanks for the link. Since I've already got the 'hoe, and time is a big factor, I'll just use the hoe....my first real job with it....thanks again!

 

[Raspy]

I would definately go with the backhoe and don't worry about it being 1 foot wide. Go with a wider bucket so you can get down in there and lay the conduit on a groomed flat bottom.

Some of my trenches were required to be 5 1/2 feet deep for the main power feed and over three feet for water piping. There were also patches of various sized rocks that the backhoe was able to deal with by either working around or digging them out. Now, I think I've dug about 600' of trench. It's fun having tractor time.

 

[CurlyDave]

If a 1' bucket is all you have, go for it. I have both 1' and 18" buckets and would use the larger one.

It is sometimes hard to empty my 1' bucket with moist clay or other types of soil I have. I never know when I am going to have to get down and chisel out the bucket. I use the 18" one almost all the time, and very seldom have a problem with it.

BTW, the best method is to put all of the spoils on the uphill side of the trench. I had read this but never understood why until I tried picking up a large rock and placing it downhill from the machine. The machine can get pretty tippy if you try to place anything too far downhill in a side-slope situation.

 

[jenkinsph]

Hey thanks for the responses Gents. Mark - thanks for the link. Since I've already got the 'hoe, and time is a big factor, I'll just use the hoe....my first real job with it....thanks again!

If you have little experience with the backhoe I would suggest you pick a spot on the bucket that is about two feet above the bucket teeth to use as a visual guage of the depth you need. Try to focus on making the trench smooth on bottom without waves in it. Digging long trenches like this one are great for developing your backhoe skills. Use a flat shovel to smooth the bottom out prior to laying in your line. You know your operating skills are improving when there is very little that needs smoothing with the shovel.

 

[scoutcub]

If you have little experience with the backhoe I would suggest you pick a spot on the bucket that is about two feet above the bucket teeth to use as a visual guage of the depth you need. Try to focus on making the trench smooth on bottom without waves in it. Digging long trenches like this one are great for developing your backhoe skills. Use a flat shovel to smooth the bottom out prior to laying in your line. You know your operating skills are improving when there is very little that needs smoothing with the shovel.

Good advice, sir, thanks! I will make a big visible mark or note a particular point on the bucket at least 2' up. I actually have 3 buckets, a 3', 2', and I BELIEVE a 12", but might be a 16"....I'll have to go see here soon. Won't get around to the project for awhile, but looking forward to it!