How to Dig a Trench

November 22nd, 2009 by Mike

The task of digging a trench may sound simple and in most cases it is. There are several steps involved in digging a trench the right way and avoiding common failures that many have experienced. A trench may range from being large enough for a pole to sit in to housing such things as water pipes or electrical conduit. Obviously, the job needs to be well thought out and all safety aspects need to be explored before starting the job.

Digging a Trench the Old Fashioned Way

The first method for digging a trench is what I like to call “the back breaking way”. This may be the cheapest route to completing your job and also the most physically demanding. Such tools as a shovel, posthole digger or a flat-sided pick will work fine. This method will take the most time but look at it this way you will definitely get some good exercise time in. You will also find out that your real friends are if you ask for help. There are many sources of help, not necessarily friends, but you may find many people that do not mind helping for a small fee.

How to Dig a Trench With Large Machinery

The second method for digging a trench involves the use of a backhoe. This is a piece of machinery that can be rented from most industrial yards, or possibly a friend. The back of this machine has a large bucket that is used to scoop the earth away. If you have a larger trench to dig then this may be your best bet and the fastest on to.

Making a Trench With a Small Machine

The third method involves the use of a machine named the “ditch witch”. A ditch witch is a smaller machine with four wheels and has a blade with auger styled pieces of metal on the end, which can be lowered to around twenty-four inches. The ditch witch can also be rented and you will move at a steady pace, as long as no roots or large rocks get in your way.

These methods represent three ways to dig a trench. A thoroughly thought out plan will help you determine which method will be best suited for your job. Remember safety is very important! Make the phone calls necessary to insure that there are no underground pipes or electrical lines lying in your path. Also, reinforce the trench if you go deep to keep the earth from collapsing on top of your trench.