[TowerTalk] Next step in installing tower: underground power

[chris]

Les Kalmus wrote:
> Chris,
> 
> I rented a mini-excavator and we did a 350 ft trench in a day through clay
> and mud. I rented it another time for electric conduit to an out building -
> about 85 feet which took about 2 hours in serious clay which is impossible
> to dig by hand. Cost around $250 delivered to my site for 24 hours.
> 
> Worth not having to do the backbreaking work.
> 
> 73, Les
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of chris
> Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2005 7:21 PM
> To: Towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Next step in installing tower: underground power
> 
> 
> Now that I have the excavation for the base completed, the next step is
> underway.  I am digging the trench to have my electric service drop put
> underground.  This will prevent anything that may fall from the tower
> from falling into the power lines.
> 
> Although the trench is not very wide, the 30 inches of required depth
> makes for a lot of work to dig.  I consider this to be another cost of
> erecting a tower.
> --
> Chris, K4AY
> 
> In theory, theory and practice are the same.  In practice, they are
> different.
> _______________________________________________
> 
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> 
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> _______________________________________________
> 
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> 
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> 
Originally, the power company was going to dig.  Its solution is a 
trackhoe for the excavation.  The trackhoe won't fit between the house 
and the garage for it to move into the backyard to work.  It cannot pass 
over to the work area without damaging a 45 year old dogwood tree and 
leveling my apple tree and peach tree.  There is a fair chance that it 
will run over the septic tank.

I checked on renting walk-behind and ditch witch devices and could find 
only one that was able to dig 30 inches deep.  Unfortunate.  The one 
that could do the job is 40 miles away.  I would have to rent a trailer, 
fetch it, use it, return it, then return the trailer.  Even with this, 
there is a substantial part that must be dug by hand.  The cable and 
telephone lines cross through here.  The cable is practically along the 
same path, and has to be removed by hand.  There are two fences in the 
path, requiring hand digging because no piece of machinery will fit in 
the space between them.  One water line crosses the path.  The fences 
cannot be removed because one of them belongs to a deceased neighbor 
whose estate is tied up in court and the other keeps the dogs in the yard.

I dug 400 feet of trench for water lines a few years back.  The walk 
behind-trencher made short work of that digging.

Anyway, I am almost finished.

-- 
Chris, K4AY

In theory, theory and practice are the same.  In practice, they are 
different.