A Trench Runs Through It.
My Dad used to sing the song about being in the Army which said “You’ll never get rich by digging a ditch” I dug a lot of little ditches today and I’m poorer not richer because I rented a trencher to help with the job.
This is the first time I’ve used a trencher and it works really well. The trencher cuts a 2 inch wide trough using what looks like a huge saw blade. You pull the machine backwards to make the trench and it isn’t that difficult to pull. Every so often it would hit a root. Small roots – up to about an inch – get chomped with no sweat. Bigger roots have to be worn through. I cut through one root that was about 3 inches thick.
The hardest part about using the trencher is rolling it into position. It rides on 3 wheels and the heavy cutter blade’s weight is off-center so it doesn’t push easily.
As luck would have it (or as Murphy’s Law predicts) The pile of fill dirt we had delivered sat right over where I needed a trench. I had to dig away one side of the pile of dirt to allow the trencher to do its job. This proved to be a lot more work than I expected. Each time I got most of the path cleared some of the dirt would avalanche and refill the area I just cleared. I was beginning to feel like Sisyphus. After I moved about a quarter of the pile it stabilized and I was able to create a clear path. Here is the result.
Tonight I’m taking it easy. I stretched out my back, cold soaked my shoulder and back and after I write this I’m going to soak in a hot tub – which seems to work well for my aches and pains from working.
My Dad used to sing the song about being in the Army which said “You’ll never get rich by digging a ditch” I dug a lot of little ditches today and I’m poorer not richer because I rented a trencher to help with the job.
This is the first time I’ve used a trencher and it works really well. The trencher cuts a 2 inch wide trough using what looks like a huge saw blade. You pull the machine backwards to make the trench and it isn’t that difficult to pull. Every so often it would hit a root. Small roots – up to about an inch – get chomped with no sweat. Bigger roots have to be worn through. I cut through one root that was about 3 inches thick.
The hardest part about using the trencher is rolling it into position. It rides on 3 wheels and the heavy cutter blade’s weight is off-center so it doesn’t push easily.
As luck would have it (or as Murphy’s Law predicts) The pile of fill dirt we had delivered sat right over where I needed a trench. I had to dig away one side of the pile of dirt to allow the trencher to do its job. This proved to be a lot more work than I expected. Each time I got most of the path cleared some of the dirt would avalanche and refill the area I just cleared. I was beginning to feel like Sisyphus. After I moved about a quarter of the pile it stabilized and I was able to create a clear path. Here is the result.
I did a lot of work and used my back and shoulders a lot. I’m sore, but it is a normal soreness. I didn’t overdo anything. I thank those thoughtful people who cautioned me to take it easy. Meme wrote me an E-mail suggesting I use a trencher and not do it all manually. Kathy Scott told me to take it easy. Kathy Little pulled over as she was driving by and told me not to hurt my shoulders. (and if you have any dirt left over they could use it.)
I still have some trenching to do manually. I couldn't use the machine where the phone lines ran underground and there were some places the machine wouldn't fit. After seeing how much work the machine did (and saved me from doing) I'm sure glad I rented the thing.
Tonight I’m taking it easy. I stretched out my back, cold soaked my shoulder and back and after I write this I’m going to soak in a hot tub – which seems to work well for my aches and pains from working.
1 comment:
The weatherman said you're having rain and a chance of a tornado. Looks like you may have to re dig those trenches. Don't over do it!
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