Using a Ditch Witch

[SearchMaster]

I have several projects to complete when the family is out of town the next week or so, and one of them is running electricity to the kids' playhouse. So I'll need to dig a trench about 50-75 feet long to accomplish the task.

I've never used a Ditch Witch or any brand of trench digger before. How long would it take me to dig such a trench? I'm not sure how many roots and rocks I'll hit. Rocks tend to be prevalent on my property but not too bad. I know that when I had to use a post hole digger to dig about 16 holes for my dog pen, it took about 3 hours FWIW. There are no trees in the direct path, but there were two moderate sized trees in the vicinity a few years ago.

Who here has used one?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

make sure you get your utilities located. If all you are doing is running some power, you could just buy some watertite conduit and cable, and bury it about 12" down by hand.

 

[imported_andrewparker]

simple, crank it and walk behind it while it digs

 

[Bootprint]

Originally posted by: andrewparker
simple, crank it and walk behind it while it digs

Yep, roots you can pretty well ignore. But larger rocks you might have to remove by hand as the ditch witch tries to move them.
Just remember to go slow.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
make sure you get your utilities located. If all you are doing is running some power, you could just buy some watertite conduit and cable, and bury it about 12" down by hand.

Utilities are not a problem - it's way off to the side of the property.

I'm too lazy to dig even 12", that kind of distance I have better things to do - that's why they rent these things.

How long are we looking at? The reason I ask is because if it's something that could be done in 2-3 hours, I might rent during the week and do it after work. If not, I'll have to wait for the weekend.

 

[Dead3ye]

Originally posted by: SearchMaster

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
make sure you get your utilities located. If all you are doing is running some power, you could just buy some watertite conduit and cable, and bury it about 12" down by hand.

Utilities are not a problem - it's way off to the side of the property.

I'm too lazy to dig even 12", that kind of distance I have better things to do - that's why they rent these things.

How long are we looking at? The reason I ask is because if it's something that could be done in 2-3 hours, I might rent during the week and do it after work. If not, I'll have to wait for the weekend.

Don't be so sure.

I'm not sure how it works where you are, but in Pa they have a One Call System that you call and all the utilities that would have underground facilities are required to respond, whether they are involved or not. If they are, they are required to mark their lines.

If you don't make a One Call and hit a gas line, fiber, etc. you would be responsible for the repairs and any resulting damage if there was an outage. It's free and saves you alot of money and headaches if something were to happen.

Better to be safe than sorry...

 

[Grey]

It's pretty easy, almost feels like a rototiller. They have some that can pull wires under the ground now and leave almost no trace of a trench.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Dead3ye

Originally posted by: SearchMaster

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
make sure you get your utilities located. If all you are doing is running some power, you could just buy some watertite conduit and cable, and bury it about 12" down by hand.

Utilities are not a problem - it's way off to the side of the property.

I'm too lazy to dig even 12", that kind of distance I have better things to do - that's why they rent these things.

How long are we looking at? The reason I ask is because if it's something that could be done in 2-3 hours, I might rent during the week and do it after work. If not, I'll have to wait for the weekend.

Don't be so sure.

I'm not sure how it works where you are, but in Pa they have a One Call System that you call and all the utilities that would have underground facilities are required to respond, whether they are involved or not. If they are, they are required to mark their lines.

If you don't make a One Call and hit a gas line, fiber, etc. you would be responsible for the repairs and any resulting damage if there was an outage. It's free and saves you alot of money and headaches if something were to happen.

Better to be safe than sorry...

exactly my point. And in kansas, you must hand-dig within 3 feet of any gas line. I should also mention you can get a machine that slices a trench in, and rolls over the top of the trench, so you create a groove instead of a true trench. They you roll the top back over and can hardly see where you were.

 

[grillmasterP]

The trencher will save alot of time especially if you yard is composed of alot of clay/rocks/gumbo....
Rented one to install an irrigation system for my parents yard-
Very easy to use-
but I was also a natural when my father rented an excavator / back hoe to work on one of his properties-
It was literally like playing a video game or those 80's radio shack robotic arms.

FOr the doggie fence - Did you rent a post hole digger or a gas powered auger?

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Dead3ye

Originally posted by: SearchMaster

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
make sure you get your utilities located. If all you are doing is running some power, you could just buy some watertite conduit and cable, and bury it about 12" down by hand.

Utilities are not a problem - it's way off to the side of the property.

I'm too lazy to dig even 12", that kind of distance I have better things to do - that's why they rent these things.

How long are we looking at? The reason I ask is because if it's something that could be done in 2-3 hours, I might rent during the week and do it after work. If not, I'll have to wait for the weekend.

Don't be so sure.

I'm not sure how it works where you are, but in Pa they have a One Call System that you call and all the utilities that would have underground facilities are required to respond, whether they are involved or not. If they are, they are required to mark their lines.

If you don't make a One Call and hit a gas line, fiber, etc. you would be responsible for the repairs and any resulting damage if there was an outage. It's free and saves you alot of money and headaches if something were to happen.

Better to be safe than sorry...

exactly my point. And in kansas, you must hand-dig within 3 feet of any gas line. I should also mention you can get a machine that slices a trench in, and rolls over the top of the trench, so you create a groove instead of a true trench. They you roll the top back over and can hardly see where you were.

Well, I live in the boonies. We have no gas lines in our neighborhood, no cable television on my street, power and telephone lines are above ground, and I know exactly where the water line is....and it's not within 500 feet of where I'm digging. On that side of the property, the closest neighbor is probably an eighth of a mile away, separated by several hundred yards of trees. I'll take my chances.

Thanks for the information everyone.

 

[arcas]

If you're going to use a ditch witch, rent a sod-cutter also. Cut the sod away, dig the ditch, lay your conduit then replace the sod when you're finished.

Alternatively, you could rent a vibrating trencher like they use to install irrigation pipes. It does leave the sod a little raised on either side of the trench but that disappears with time. Only problem might be that this type of trencher might not go deep enough to meet your local electrical codes.