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Smallest Ditch Witch: Anybody Used It On Shale?
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(PeteCresswell)
Jul 1, 2012, 8:37:13 AM7/1/12
to
We're on a shale ridge: about 4" of topsoil and then solid shale
as discovered in http://tinyurl.com/6u672oj
I want to run some 2" PVC conduit to a new shed and don't think
4" is going tb deep enough.
Has anybody used a small Ditch Witch on shale? I was able to
bore through several feet of the stuff using a pry bar, so it's
not like it's solid rock. OTOH, I don't want to blow $150 on
the rental only to find it can't handle the job.
--
Pete Cresswell
as discovered in http://tinyurl.com/6u672oj
I want to run some 2" PVC conduit to a new shed and don't think
4" is going tb deep enough.
Has anybody used a small Ditch Witch on shale? I was able to
bore through several feet of the stuff using a pry bar, so it's
not like it's solid rock. OTOH, I don't want to blow $150 on
the rental only to find it can't handle the job.
--
Pete Cresswell
Don Bruder
Jul 1, 2012, 12:38:45 PM7/1/12
to
In article <irg0v7h3ih35jdgo9...@4ax.com>,
It'll probably EVENTUALLY do the job, but I wouldn't expect much in the
way of speed, and I don't think I'd want to be the one running it.
DWs were designed with the concept of "Mostly dirt with a few rocks" in
mind. Despite the visual resemblance, they're not really the "chainsaw
for rock" that some people seem think they are.
As long as it's just "dirt with some rocks and roots", a DW can save you
a helluva lot of time. Get into a situation where you've got more rock
than dirt, and you're going to be doing a lot of bitching about how slow
it is - if it makes any progress at all.
If you decide to try it, make sure the kids and the dog aren't anywhere
near, and stay *VERY* alert - while one of the bigger units might be
able to do the job you're talking about, it wouldn't surprise me to see
one of the little ones jump around like something that belongs in a
rodeo while trying to handle what you're trying to get through.
--
Email shown is deceased. If you would like to contact me by email, please
post something that makes it obvious in this or another group you see me
posting in with a "how to contact you" address, and I'll get back to you.
way of speed, and I don't think I'd want to be the one running it.
DWs were designed with the concept of "Mostly dirt with a few rocks" in
mind. Despite the visual resemblance, they're not really the "chainsaw
for rock" that some people seem think they are.
As long as it's just "dirt with some rocks and roots", a DW can save you
a helluva lot of time. Get into a situation where you've got more rock
than dirt, and you're going to be doing a lot of bitching about how slow
it is - if it makes any progress at all.
If you decide to try it, make sure the kids and the dog aren't anywhere
near, and stay *VERY* alert - while one of the bigger units might be
able to do the job you're talking about, it wouldn't surprise me to see
one of the little ones jump around like something that belongs in a
rodeo while trying to handle what you're trying to get through.
--
Email shown is deceased. If you would like to contact me by email, please
post something that makes it obvious in this or another group you see me
posting in with a "how to contact you" address, and I'll get back to you.
Pico Rico
Jul 1, 2012, 1:39:31 PM7/1/12
to
"Don Bruder" <dak...@sonic.net> wrote in message
news:jspudc$m61$1...@dont-email.me...
> In article <irg0v7h3ih35jdgo9...@4ax.com>,
> "(PeteCresswell)" <x...@y.Invalid> wrote:
>
>> We're on a shale ridge: about 4" of topsoil and then solid shale
>> as discovered in http://tinyurl.com/6u672oj
>>
>> I want to run some 2" PVC conduit to a new shed and don't think
>> 4" is going tb deep enough.
>>
>> Has anybody used a small Ditch Witch on shale? I was able to
>> bore through several feet of the stuff using a pry bar, so it's
>> not like it's solid rock. OTOH, I don't want to blow $150 on
>> the rental only to find it can't handle the job.
>
> It'll probably EVENTUALLY do the job, but I wouldn't expect much in the
> way of speed, and I don't think I'd want to be the one running it.
>
> DWs were designed with the concept of "Mostly dirt with a few rocks" in
> mind. Despite the visual resemblance, they're not really the "chainsaw
> for rock" that some people seem think they are.
>
> As long as it's just "dirt with some rocks and roots", a DW can save you
> a helluva lot of time. Get into a situation where you've got more rock
> than dirt, and you're going to be doing a lot of bitching about how slow
> it is - if it makes any progress at all.
>
> If you decide to try it, make sure the kids and the dog aren't anywhere
> near, and stay *VERY* alert - while one of the bigger units might be
> able to do the job you're talking about, it wouldn't surprise me to see
> one of the little ones jump around like something that belongs in a
> rodeo while trying to handle what you're trying to get through.
>
I have used a smaller unit with some success. but you often need to be
> "(PeteCresswell)" <x...@y.Invalid> wrote:
>
>> We're on a shale ridge: about 4" of topsoil and then solid shale
>> as discovered in http://tinyurl.com/6u672oj
>>
>> I want to run some 2" PVC conduit to a new shed and don't think
>> 4" is going tb deep enough.
>>
>> Has anybody used a small Ditch Witch on shale? I was able to
>> bore through several feet of the stuff using a pry bar, so it's
>> not like it's solid rock. OTOH, I don't want to blow $150 on
>> the rental only to find it can't handle the job.
>
> It'll probably EVENTUALLY do the job, but I wouldn't expect much in the
> way of speed, and I don't think I'd want to be the one running it.
>
> DWs were designed with the concept of "Mostly dirt with a few rocks" in
> mind. Despite the visual resemblance, they're not really the "chainsaw
> for rock" that some people seem think they are.
>
> As long as it's just "dirt with some rocks and roots", a DW can save you
> a helluva lot of time. Get into a situation where you've got more rock
> than dirt, and you're going to be doing a lot of bitching about how slow
> it is - if it makes any progress at all.
>
> If you decide to try it, make sure the kids and the dog aren't anywhere
> near, and stay *VERY* alert - while one of the bigger units might be
> able to do the job you're talking about, it wouldn't surprise me to see
> one of the little ones jump around like something that belongs in a
> rodeo while trying to handle what you're trying to get through.
>
ready to manually assist. One job was mostly dirt but with some rocks. The
smaller rocks got tossed out with the dirt. The larger rocks kept falling
back in the trench, so one of us had a hoe at the ready to finish the
removal of the big rocks.
One job I had I had to give up a portion of - just too hard and the DW was
just gumming it.
Shale comes in various styles. Is it pretty flaky? The flakier the better
for the DW.
The DW might bounce a bunch, and you might want to skip over some really
tough spots, but I would imagine it would be worth the money.
Jim Elbrecht
Jul 1, 2012, 4:54:38 PM7/1/12
to
On Sun, 01 Jul 2012 08:37:13 -0400, "(PeteCresswell)" <x...@y.Invalid>
wrote:
For the reasons Don & Pico mention-- bouncy & *may* not work-- I'd
probably pause on a Ditch Witch for this one.
How about one of those circular blade deals I see them trenching
asphalt with? I've never used one, but they look to me like they
do more cutting than just pushing dirt.
You only need a foot or so, right? Ask the guy at the rental
place--
Jim
wrote:
probably pause on a Ditch Witch for this one.
How about one of those circular blade deals I see them trenching
asphalt with? I've never used one, but they look to me like they
do more cutting than just pushing dirt.
You only need a foot or so, right? Ask the guy at the rental
place--
Jim
hub...@ccanoemail.com
Jul 1, 2012, 5:50:59 PM7/1/12
to
what the machine will / will not do.
How long & how deep is the trench ?
Maybe a hand trencher for the topsoil and a
pick-bar (or rental jackhammer) for the shale ?
...
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=51123&cat=2,42578,40769
Let us know how things go. Good luck.
John T.
--- Posted via news://freenews.netfront.net/ - Complaints to ne...@netfront.net ---
(PeteCresswell)
Jul 2, 2012, 3:59:56 PM7/2/12
to
Per Jim Elbrecht:
Thanks!
--
Pete Cresswell
>How about one of those circular blade deals I see them trenching
>asphalt with? I've never used one, but they look to me like they
>do more cutting than just pushing dirt.
>
>You only need a foot or so, right? Ask the guy at the rental
>place--
Right on both counts.
>asphalt with? I've never used one, but they look to me like they
>do more cutting than just pushing dirt.
>
>You only need a foot or so, right? Ask the guy at the rental
>place--
Thanks!
--
Pete Cresswell
Pico Rico
Jul 10, 2012, 9:44:54 AM7/10/12
to
"(PeteCresswell)" <x...@y.Invalid> wrote in message
news:mdv3v7l4un6mm3hdr...@4ax.com...
(PeteCresswell)
Jul 10, 2012, 10:21:20 AM7/10/12
to
Per Pico Rico:
Couple weeks ago I had to have surgery to correct complications
from a prior surgery.
Not all that bad on me, but it's been very hard on My Better
Half. Dunno why... but I guess it's a Good Thing in the larger
scheme of things...
The zinger is the My Better Half is convinced that the
complications arose because I did too much physical stuff too
intensely too soon after the first surgery.
That being the case, and knowing that she may change the locks on
the doors if I have to go in again... I have to adhere to the
letter of everybody's (the surgeon's and hers...) restrictions on
activity.
Was outside yesterday, just trying to work out a better ramp for
getting the mower in and out of the new garden shed and caught
hell for it .... so.... Bye-bye summer of 2012.... Mid-August
earliest.... I'm not even allowed to *drive* fer chrisssake....
pray for my soul.... -)
--
Pete Cresswell
>
>well, do you have an after action report for us?
No, and will not have until at least mid-August.
>well, do you have an after action report for us?
Couple weeks ago I had to have surgery to correct complications
from a prior surgery.
Not all that bad on me, but it's been very hard on My Better
Half. Dunno why... but I guess it's a Good Thing in the larger
scheme of things...
The zinger is the My Better Half is convinced that the
complications arose because I did too much physical stuff too
intensely too soon after the first surgery.
That being the case, and knowing that she may change the locks on
the doors if I have to go in again... I have to adhere to the
letter of everybody's (the surgeon's and hers...) restrictions on
activity.
Was outside yesterday, just trying to work out a better ramp for
getting the mower in and out of the new garden shed and caught
hell for it .... so.... Bye-bye summer of 2012.... Mid-August
earliest.... I'm not even allowed to *drive* fer chrisssake....
pray for my soul.... -)
--
Pete Cresswell
Pico Rico
Jul 10, 2012, 10:25:49 AM7/10/12
to
"(PeteCresswell)" <x...@y.Invalid> wrote in message
have nothing else you can do.
Godspeed.
(PeteCresswell)
Jul 10, 2012, 11:16:05 AM7/10/12
to
Per Pico Rico:
But luckily, my work is not physical and I can work from home.
--
Pete Cresswell
>well, don't start eating and/or drinking yourself to death, just because you
>have nothing else you can do.
You have put your finger on the real problem..... -)
>have nothing else you can do.
But luckily, my work is not physical and I can work from home.
--
Pete Cresswell
hub...@ccanoemail.com
Jul 11, 2012, 6:23:02 PM7/11/12
to
< snips >
>Was outside yesterday, just trying to work out a better ramp for
>getting the mower in and out of the new garden shed and caught
>hell for it .... so.... Bye-bye summer of 2012.... Mid-August
>earliest.... I'm not even allowed to *drive* fer chrisssake....
>pray for my soul.... -)
... get her off to the Bingo
.. or the shopping mall
.. or quilting day at the Church
.. and then get your jobs done.
... and - most important - never trust a Doctor -
... once you know you're right.
All the best .
>Was outside yesterday, just trying to work out a better ramp for
>getting the mower in and out of the new garden shed and caught
>hell for it .... so.... Bye-bye summer of 2012.... Mid-August
>earliest.... I'm not even allowed to *drive* fer chrisssake....
>pray for my soul.... -)
.. or the shopping mall
.. or quilting day at the Church
.. and then get your jobs done.
... and - most important - never trust a Doctor -
... once you know you're right.
All the best .
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