Machine to dig 12" wide trench

[strutaeng]

Hello guys, I'm starting on my foundation for this addition project. I need to dig for the grade beams. The grade varies slightly, but they need to be 12" below the natural grade. At the high side they will be like 6" above the grade and at the low side they will be like 12" above the grade. At some locations rock is very shallow (9-12"), so I will be digging to rock.

I'm forming the beams (2 sides) and then pouring the slab, not a monolithic pour. It's about 175 linear feet, so too much to do by hand.

What machine do I need? I have rented a 36" trencher before, but the width is only like 4" and the rental place said they don't make them with wider cutters. Mini-excavator with a 12" bucket? I don't know how to operate a mini excavator. Maybe sub- it out?

 

[HoosierBuddy]

You need a mini or a backhoe.

Call before you dig.

Phil

 

[bimmer1980]

depends on how easily you catch on to using equipment. Are you good at video games?

I personally think the new mini-ex's are pretty straight forward to learn to use. The trick is just getting your mind and hand control coordinated.

Get a price on sub'ing it out.... then look at the rental prices. Ask the rental place if you can just try running the machine in their parking lot. Not to actually dig, but to get a feel for running the machine....

Candidly, the big trick here is not to over dig and the try to get a smooth surface on the bottom of the trench. Also to get all the spoil dirt out of the trench....

 

[ducksface]

You'll place a wanted ad on Craigslist and possibly get it dug for less money, and faster and better than you can rent and learn to operate the correct equipment.
Try this.

There's a very good chance you'll make a grand mess while learning to run the excavator.

 

[Eric29]

Can’t you just hire a laborer to do it? That’s what I would do here in New York State

 

[nh_yota]

I would dig it by hand over the course of a week.

 

[braidmeister]

Choices:

1. Hire someone to dig the trench for you - either by hand or machine
2. Rent a Ditch Witch, mini-backhoe or similar trencher
3. Use a garden tractor with plow to loosen the ground, then dig by hand
4. Just dig it out by hand
5. Buy a new or used Horrible Freight Trencher - keep or sell when done.
6. If you have a tractor, buy a new or used backhoe attachment.

 

[finn]

Perfect excuse to buy a new excavator.

All real men have one.

 

[firebirdparts]

The fun way is to do it yourself on a backhoe. I mean, what else have you got to do? Watch TV?

 

[OneOfEm]

I had to do some site work with a mini excavator, so I dug 100' of trench while I had it (vs. renting a trencher). There was a bit of a learning curve, but I had it pretty much down after the site work.

That said, for a foundation, where accuracy matters much more than a trench for some conduit, I agree with placing a "needed" ad on CL and paying someone to do it - especially if your ground is clay/rocky or if your foundation will be large.

 

[Bretny]

I own a mini excavator and that is the tool for the job. As a side job i hire my self out with the machine. I charge $20hr more than renting the machine for half a day. I can get alot of work done in half a day and all you have to do is point and pay. Look for someone with a mini in your area.

I stay prety darn busy.

 

[jscoggin]

The mini excavator is the right tool for the job. I just had all of my footings dug and was going to rent one and do it myself but found I could hire someone to do it for a lot less. Home Depot had the cheapest rental fees I could find in the area, $259 for four hours or $359 for 24.

The guy was able to knock out the work in four hours ($85 an hour), I know it would have taken me longer to do it. It was a no brainer really. I'm a do it myself kind of guy but if I can hire a pro to do it for less than I can, I'll make that choice 10 times out of ten.

 

[strutaeng]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, purchasing an excavator is outside my budget (if I want to build this, LOL.)

I've got a contact on a guy that does this. I'm not sure what machine he uses, but was recommended by some concrete guys they use him.

I also placed an ad on craigslist. Hopefully someone will call me. I stripped the sod and have the area strung with batter boards and painted with paint for the trench.

Stay tuned!

 

[Chaznsc]

Try thumbtack.com, I’ve had good results.

Obviously, you should just buy your wife a new shovel, but maybe you’re single.

 

[Hugemoose]

Mini ex. I payed a local guy to dig down to the footer around my garage, approximately 4.5 feet down). It took him half a day, and I paid $475 cash. It would have been about $260 after tax and damage waiver for one day rental if I got one myself. He also brought in 5 tons of crushed stone for me and brought it back bucket by bucket into my backyard at no extra cost (besides the cost of the stone).

Sometimes it's just worth it to pay somebody. If I had needed an extra day it would have ended up costing me more in the end.

 

[Augus7us]

I've never used an mini excavator before but just rented one about a month ago and dug a 100' trench 40" deep.. It wasn't hard at all and my 12 yo step son dug about 20' of it. Just use common sense and look up a few videos on youtube.

If you're still not sure about it, then hire it out. No sense getting hurt or causing damage to your property.

 

[Jack_Toepfer]

Ask your concrete guy for a referral - if he doesn't just do it himself.

 

[machsnell]

You'll place a wanted ad on Craigslist and possibly get it dug for less money, and faster and better than you can rent and learn to operate the correct equipment.
Try this.

There's a very good chance you'll make a grand mess while learning to run the excavator.

What he said

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[finn]

I still think you’re missing the golden opportunity that fell in your lap to self justify buying a mini ex....

 

[OneOfEm]

For me, the mini excavator wasn't really fun. It was a cool experience, but not what I'd call enjoyable.

The skid steer, on the other hand...

 

[finn]

It does take a lot more hand-eye coordination than the skid steer, with the additional degrees of freedom of movement.

Much steeper learning curve.

 

[lakelandcat]

Hello guys, I'm starting on my foundation for this addition project. I need to dig for the grade beams. The grade varies slightly, but they need to be 12" below the natural grade. At the high side they will be like 6" above the grade and at the low side they will be like 12" above the grade. At some locations rock is very shallow (9-12"), so I will be digging to rock.

I'm forming the beams (2 sides) and then pouring the slab, not a monolithic pour. It's about 175 linear feet, so too much to do by hand.

What machine do I need? I have rented a 36" trencher before, but the width is only like 4" and the rental place said they don't make them with wider cutters. Mini-excavator with a 12" bucket? I don't know how to operate a mini excavator. Maybe sub- it out?

Let the people who are going to set your forms and pour the concret dig, your foundation contractor will have to pull permits anyway. Digging by hand is certain death!

 

[PAN FRIED]

Here you go, this is your single cheapest DIY option!..........and safest to.

 

[strutaeng]

Here you go, this is your single cheapest DIY option!..........and safest to.

Dang, that's insane!