Trenching with backhoe for electric

[vpracer]

So I own a Deere 310k backhoe and it has a 36" bucket on it. I need to trench 100' of underground for 2" conduit to the barn. What are the downfalls with that wide of a trench. Since I own it I would rather not rent a trencher. Any thoughts?

 

[The Cobbler]

the downside is a huge pile of dirt and a lot more remediation compared to a trenching bucket. if that is a concern , can you rent a trenching bucket ?

 

[Dagny]

It will heal.

 

[naturalgas]

I would use it. Just more fill to move around. I used my 12" bucket on my BX 25 and I ran a 2", 1 1/2 and three 1" and didn't have any room for spacing


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[zmaxmotorsports]

Use what you've got,not a big deal.
Hydraulics trump a shovel anyday.

 

[vpracer]

I may check on renting a bucket but think I will just go for it and deal with more fill material. Thanks for the responses.

 

[ozyborn]

After hand digging a 150' at my house last year. I would even use a full bulldozer over that again.

 

[larry4406]

I think I would rent a ditch witch vs digging a 3' trench.

 

[bullnerd]

I think I would rent a ditch witch vs digging a 3' trench.

Same here. The ride on one at home depot is only $199 for the day and $139 for 4 hours. I just looked because I'm about to rent it.

 

[ard]

Seems like a good excuse to buy a used 12" bucket...

 

[gregtwojeeps]

Just means you will have a 3' wide ditch settling downwards in the future for a while, instead of a 6 in. wide trench. Not a bad thing really. People or animals can break a leg stepping to a 6 in. wide sunken trench while not seeing it. A 3ft wide one, they just take it as a low place and keep walking. JMO

 

[A_Pmech]

I'd just dig the trench and be done with it. You'll waste more effort and energy going to rent a trencher.

This is coming from somebody who HATES digging trenches with bucket machines. I like to sit on my ***, read my magazine and point the machine in the general direction of where the trench is going.

 

[Hawk]

Save your money, use what you have. Drop another pipe in the trench for water, and internet. Back-fill and have a blast.

 

[bullnerd]

I'm not an operator but isn't the damage more than just the width of the bucket?

Doesn't it have huge tires that will F up a nice wide path?

 

[R.Anderson]

I'm not an operator but isn't the damage more than just the width of the bucket?

Doesn't it have huge tires that will F up a nice wide path?

Ya but I always think the grass or my back? Grass will grow back. Digging that trench with a trencher or a shovel is the easy part, it is the backfilling that gets ya. The more you can do with equipment the better.

 

[Radix2]

Use it, it is easy to compact a wider trench when refilling anyway. Just don't take any dirt away....

 

[TractorJeff]

Why did you buy a Hoe with a 36" wide bucket? Get a GREAT Deal? If I couldn't borrow/rent a narrower bucket, then I would use it. Its a no Brainer!

 

[CNGsaves]

Save your money, use what you have. Drop LOTS MORE pipes in the trench for water, and internet. Back-fill and have a blast.

^ ^ ^ ^ This . . . and "Fixed It For Ya" with the red changes.

OP . . . dig the hell out of it down below frost line and your water LINES can be INSULATED Pex so you can have both Hot & Cold . . . . or be ready made for solar radiant . . . . or . . hybrid radiant with wood burner, etc.

 

[vpracer]

Well a couple responses. It was a good deal on a non rental unit. Came with cab, extendahoe, thumb and 1500hrs. County maintained. Figured I could buy a used smaller bucket at some point.

There is no frost line in Texas so no worries there. This trench will be covered with concrete driveway at some point in the future. I know a trencher is best but time and money aren't worth it. I'd rather put the $200 rental money towards a smaller used bucket.

I will run several pieces of conduit and a water line. But the trench is primarily from the electric company pedestal over to the barn. Water, Internet or phone lines will run in a different direction/trench.

 

[bullnerd]

See, you didn't even need us!

 

[4 FN 27]

Invest in the Trenching bucket. It was one of the best investments I made into my Backhoe along with a Thumb. I use the Trenching Bucket more than I use the 24 inch Bucket that came with the Hoe.

I have built boulder walls, trenched, use it for cutting logs down to splitable chunks ect.

Works great.