In a message dated 5/12/2008 12:41:12 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
towertalk-request@contesting.com writes:
> I am in the process of trying to find a excavator to dig the footing
for my HDX572 tower. To the 5 people I've talked to so far, this
5x5x8 hole is difficult. I think mostly because none of them have a
small enough backhoe. Most of them want to dig a big hole and have me
pour into a concrete form and backfill later.
Yes, some of the UST concrete bases - particularly the smaller ones -
are a PITA to dig.
> They claim they can backfill and bring the soil back into
"undisturbed" condition around the footing by compaction - even
claiming that this might be more reliable than just digging a hole
just to the size I need.
Maybe. Then you've got additional labor to make the form along with the
additional labor to get the earth back to where it should be.
Option 1: dig the hole to whatever size you can get and then fill it
with concrete. More $$ for the additional concrete but it'll be against
undisturbed earth so you avoid the additional labor required for farting
around with
a form and backfilling.
> this be an easy task for a skilled person to dig on a mini-excavator?
Yep. Option 2: dig it yourself. I used to hire backhoes with operators
until the day came when I couldn't get one when I needed it so I decided to
try it myself. Guess what? It's not that bad. Call your local rental yard and
they'll deliver one and show you how to operate it. Get it with a 12" bucket
(as opposed to a bigger one) and it'll dig into hard earth relatively easily.
I mean - how badly can you screw up a hole? In reality, not much. It won't
take you very long to learn how to operate it and then the rest is
straightforward.
> I was told that if the hole is deeper than 4', that no person can enter
it unless walls are built up.
Yes. OSHA rules state that anything deeper than that needs to be shored.
Since you're not subject to OSHA rules, you could dig it by hand yourself or
go into the hole. Potentially dangerous but possible.
Try doing it yourself. It's actually kind of fun. You'll need the piece
of equipment to pick up the rebar cage and drop it in the hole anyway.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for hams
Cell: 206-890-4188
**************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family
favorites at AOL Food.
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