Need a trench dug, recommendations?

[EightFingers]

I need a trench dug for my new well. Needs to be about 24" deep and will be about 18 feet long. It's apparently too small a job for the landscapers I've called. It does need to go through some pahoehoe but it's relatively soft.

[Rob Tucker]

You are talking about 36 cubic feet of material to remove.

You have a choice of heavy machinery or hand labor. Personally I think the costs may be about the same. Its not a huge trench so the minimal cost of mobilizing a backhoe or small excavator plus an hourly minimum may equal or exceed hand labor.

For small jobs like this it may be just as or more economical to hire a couple strong young men, rent a demo hammer and buy a couple six packs of beer for when the job is done. A couple O'o bars would be useful too. The electric demo hammer isn't expensive and can bust up
light pahoehoe rather well. If you have blue stone that is another matter.

Some factors to consider:

1. A backhoe or excavator can really tear up the ground as it unloads and positions itself... that makes more work to repair. If you consider heavy equipment think if there are other tasks they can do on site because an 18' shallow trench won't take very long.

2. If you choose man power then it is advisable to be on site to supervise the whole operation. Your average strong young man is generally good for heavy digging an hour at a stretch, then take a break before continuing. You should provide water and gloves. They should not be wearing flip flops. Over the past twenty years I have always succeeded in finding good hand labor in and around Pahoa. I would not pay less than $10/hr. $12 is more reasonable for supervised digging.

Good luck.

[terracore]

You might want to ask around with your neighbors to see if they need any work done. I know a guy who couldn't afford to get a job done on his lot but his neighbor was getting some work done and he asked the guy running the equipment how much it would be for a clearing and it wasn't very expensive because he was already there. I got some big boulders moved in a similar fashion by talking story. It seems like the hassle isn't always the size of the job, it's the pain/time of getting the equipment to where the work is. If somebody near your lot needs some work done, you'd essentially be splitting the delivery price of the equipment and operator.

[ericlp]

yep... I agree...

I got some work done cheap that way myself. Best way? Listen! You can hear the hammering sound. Bound to be someone clearing their lot or installing septic. If you have patience / can afford to wait, you can get it done a lot cheaper.

Other wise maybe find someone off of CL that will do it with a jack hammer. Hopefully it's not all blue rock.


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[terracore]

I've been waiting for somebody to try this stuff on lava and report back:

http://www.ecobust.com/

[EightFingers]

After the well was drilled I could see down into the ground and it looks like the area had been ripped down to about 20". I think I will try this myself and see where it goes. At least the weather is nice for this kind of work

[No reply IS necessary]

@tc
I would be very surprised if the main component (perhaps even 100%) of that product was not simple Diatomaceous Earth. It is amazingly versatile stuff, used in insect control, filtration, food suplements, etc., etc.. I first discovered it years ago when looking for a cheap, safe for fish and birds, medium for repairing leaks in a friend's water-feature. When mixed w other soils it creates a seal in cracks and holes (when kept saturated). I recall the warning not to use full strength (uncut), as it would swell too much and cause additional damage.

NrIn

I feel a lot more like I do now, than I did a while ago...