[TowerTalk] Digging the Hole

[Tom Haavisto]

I would be VERY VERY careful about recommending anyone hand dig such a
hole.  If the walls of the hole cave in, you will literally be digging
your own grave.  There was a bit on the local news last year where two
men were in a four foot deep hole and the sides caved in.  One
perished, the other was badly injured.  With a full load of dirt, your
chest cannot move, and they were done.

I prefer to have a machine dig my holes.  The sides are less than
perfect, but I just add more concrete to make up for it.  I built a
form above ground to make it "look nice".

Tom - VE3CX




On Wed, Aug 27, 2008 at 8:31 PM, Rick Karlquist <richard at karlquist.com> wrote:
>> On Wed, Aug 27, 2008 at 3:38 PM, Bill Gaines AD8P <ad8p at wcoil.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Some many months ago I either asked on this reflector or read on it
>>> about
>>> the particular piece of equipment some of you have used to dig a 3-1/2X
>>> 3-1/2X 7-1/2 deep hole for an LM-370 tower. I am at the point I can
>>> actually
>
> Probably a minority opinion here:
>
> I have dug by hand three holes that were only 3x3 feet across and 6 or 7
> ft deep.  I used a short handled spade, a small pick, a bucket,
> a small ladder, and a yardstick to measure 3 feet.  The last
> one was a virtually perfect 3x3x6; almost hated to pour concrete into
> it.  Exactly 2 yards did it.  BTW, this was dug through waterproof
> "cemented hard pan."  No rocks though.  The other 2 holes were dug through
> ordinary clay (watered first) but with rocks.
>
> Getting down to 7 1/2 feet may require a helper to pull the bucket
> up with a rope and help with the ladder.
>
> It can be done!
>
> If you want to use a machine, get a well digger truck with a 4 ft
> auger and make the holes a 4 ft circle.  They will be very accurate.
>
> Rick N6RK