How to dig a trench - an old man shows you the easy way
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- You'll find the secret to digging a trench by hand and how to wheel a barrow. Here, a broken sewer with no machine access left no choice but to spend a few days with my long-arm shovel (spade), crow-bar and wheel-barrow excavating 3 tonnes of sticky clay. After a life-time of digging through all kinds of difficult terrain, the principle remains the same: sand, mud, clay, shale, rock and concrete (even opinionated people) can all be shifted if they have somewhere to go. The secret is to use a stepped approach (make small steps). Be patient as you work up and down the steps and you'll be amazed how easily the hard can become soft. Always load your barrow at the front so that the weight is over the axle.
Happy to talk back if you have questions or comments.
Top tips thank you. It's amazing how much easier a job can become if you have the right tools and a good brain. I've just dug a 200 yard ditch out with a long handled shovel and graft spade and it got more and more enjoyable as I went on.
That's quite a trench. Yes, nothing like a methodical approach to get you into the doing of it. Best wishes Simon
Young people these days have had too many vaccinations in their life and got no heart.
I think they have plenty of heart but just need a few tips from us old farts...
The young people that I've encountered are wonderful. They must have plenty of heart if they can put up with the glut of entitled oldies around.
@@SimonPockleyVideos I'm a mere kid of 61 and I agree , still trying to decide what I want to do when I grow up , in the meantime , I dig and I must say , your technique is great .
I hate digging, especially when you dig the same trench you dug 10yr ago and kick yourself for not leaving a hollow pipe or something to pullout and reduce your dig
Best way to dig a trench is to start digging a trench and don't stop until you're done digging a trench. I know this, but I'm trying to fool myself into thinking there's an easier way by watching UA-cam.
What I'm saying is if you use steps when you are digging, it makes the digging easier.
Very good technique, I use something very similar. However I also use a pneumatic shovel, it makes it easier to dig into hard clay.
The video is very interesting but the music is WAY too loud, I can barely hear what you say. And then they start singing! You don't need a soundtrack when you make a video, it's only a distraction.
Thanks, good suggestions. I resisted sound track for many years but then I gave in.
Thank you! The long prybar is a must for rocky soil. Great advice on the wheel barrow!
Wow - they build you Aussies tough there down under!!
Now all you have to do is win your 3rd RWC in 2023!
Anyway, thanx for the video - much appreciated!
I'm not tough at all but thanks for your comment. What's an RWC? Simon
I really need to do a french drain and thought I couldn’t do it myself. You may have just convinced me otherwise!
What's a French drain?
@@SimonPockleyVideos you dig a ditch around your house to drain water out of your foundations to stop things like rising damp.
Thank you, this video is very helpful for an upcoming project I have been putting off... I feel better about trying now that I know there is a safer way of managing my trench without months of back pain.
This is timely - i have a 50 metre trench to build in medium clay soil on a property out west (NSW). Crow bar and plumbers shovel, a podcast or two, see you for dinner :). I need to knock the shoulders off and shape the drainage line to look more look a swale to blend in with the landscape. I'll cut a piece of ply to get the shape and use an A frame to get the fall which needs to be even and gentle to keep the water moving.
Hi Mathew, happy digging. Normally, I'm in the Warrumbungles by the sound of it you are somewhere out that way. Simon
You are legend. I will use your making steps method in my root barrier trench.
This is gold
Will use this knowledge for when I had dig a new retaining wall for my backyard soon
I just love this Simon; some very good tips here for older people who may have bad backs, knees and hips.
...you never know when you'll need a trench.
@@SimonPockleyVideosWow!! You’ve a great stamina at 71!! Awesome!! You certainly outdone some of us who are much younger!! Thanks for your great tips and I plan on following suit to try to stay healthy and active like you!! I’ll start digging a trench soon using your techniques!! Tks for sharing!! 👍😃
True wisdom. Thank you.
You won't dig my land with a shovel. If you try a small 24" by 24" hole will take you 5 hours. Probably break your tools while you're at it. It even busted a backhoe seal. Wet the ground first. then dig. No easy way.....
I will see guys dig a deep hole step in get a shovel full step out dump it then step back down in the hole I'm thinking getting in and out of that hole every shovel has to be more tiring than digging but one trick that helped me if u can't make a step is get on one knee and use ur other leg to help u reach down into the hole and dig with that free leg rather than stepping in and out every shovel
The title should be: " how to dig a trench and tick off your viewers by speaking at a low volume while playing background music so they can't hear you ".
You are so right. I struggled to get the balance right and clearly failed. My camera is worn out and I've since bought a mike. However, what I say is not important. The key to digging a trench is to make steps and work your way up and down the steps. Giving the soil somewhere to go. Thanks
Nice one Simon. Good on you. Shout out from Scotland to you.
Cheers to you too. Thanks for making contact. Happy digging.
hey yet another lovely film xx jim
nice music choice too
Simon your a bloody legend mate. Doing that work at your age - Gods has truly blessed you.
seems like the trenches are getting deeper and the tasks bigger while I just get older... but thanks for your comment it puts a spring in my step.
@@SimonPockleyVideos Your welcome Simon. I do manual digging for a living and I have huge respect for anyone who does hard work especially an older gentleman such as yourself. Just goes to show why keeping yourself active is so crucial in life. You’re very inspirational to me!
thank yoU!
Spot on.
The footage, your instruction, the music. What a vibe dude. I'll be back for more
Very nice tips here, thanks brother.
What song is playing in the background? Love it.
Hi John, The background music is by VallHee from a royalty free site. However I have messed with the speed (slowed it down) so that it fits the 3 minute 25 second format that I use for all my videos. I can send you a link to the source if you like but it won't sound the same. Simon