Trenching - Wallenstein GE605 Operator's Manual

Digging With Bucket:
This is the procedure recommended when a vertical wall is desired at the end of a trench.
NOTE:
Avoid constant jarring or hammer-
ing contact between the spoil pile and the
loaded bucket as this may cause premature
wear to the backhoe pins and bushings.
6. Set the bucket so the bucket teeth are nearly
vertical.
7. Use the boom to force the bucket into the ground.
8. Use the boom to force the bucket further into the
ground and at the same time roll the bucket back
(curl) until it is full.
9. Raise the boom and dump the bucket.
10. Continue to dig in the same way by digging
3–6 inches (75–150 mm) deeper each time.

5.2.3 TRENCHING

Wallenstein backhoe's work well for trenching. Use the
dipper or bucket method to dig.
Follow these basic steps to digging a trench success-
fully and safely.
1. Plan your excavation. This step includes selecting
the route and depth you will dig, and determining
what tools, equipment, and materials you will need.
Take your time in the planning process so the
layout will serve your purpose and you won't have
to change your plan after you start digging.
• Choose a route that will cause minimum
damage plants on the property. Trees, shrubs
and other plants may suffer injury or die if their
roots are damaged in excavation. Be aware
driveways, sidewalks, and structures can
collapse if they are undermined
• Determine the type of soil you will be digging
in. Sandy soils, loose stony soils, and wet,
mucky material will make excavating a straight,
deep ditch difficult and dangerous, so you may
have to plan additional measures to prevent
trench wall from collapsing.
• Shoring. This process uses a support structure
for your ditch sides so they do not cave in
32
and injure anyone, or undo the digging you
have done before the project is complete.
Examples may be sheets of plywood with
posts to support them for small excavations, or
steel trench boxes or sheet piling for very large
ones.
• De-watering. This will remove the excess
water from the soil to help stabilize it while
working. This can be accomplished either with
a sock pipe and mud-hog type diaphragm
pump to remove the water as it seeps into the
excavation.
• Benching or sloping the excavation. This is
the technique for dealing with loose soils. As
the trench is excavated, the sides step down
(benching), or slope down (sloping) so the
banks do not have to support more material
than they are capable of.
2. To protect workers from injury or liability and
prevent damage, call the local utility location
service so that underground gas, electric, water,
and communications pipes and cables can be
located and marked.
3. Get any additional equipment you will use to aid
the trenching. Shovels, pickaxes, and other hand
tools may be needed for the project.