[TowerTalk] Digging The Hole

[Patrick Greenlee]

Depending on your soil type and other extant conditions you might easily 
be killed.  Just because you haven't had a cave-in digging to your 
current stage of progress is not a reliable indicator of your safety as 
you proceed. As far as the corners are concerned, they can be squared 
off with a manual post hole digger AKA "Idiot Sticks" and or shovel with 
you standing on a ladder placed in the hole. A cave-in under these 
circumstances would be an inconvenience not a prelude to your funeral.

Alternatively, shore up the hole leaving the corners uncovered. Then you 
can access the corners and the bottom of the hole but not be buried by a 
cave-in. Don't make dying to get a tower installed a literal fact.

Be safe.

Patrick        NJ5G


On 2/10/2018 7:52 AM, jimlux wrote:
> On 2/9/18 11:04 AM, Joe Partlow wrote:
>> So I'm in the process of digging the hole for my tower foundation. 
>> I've dug
>> most of it out with a mini-excavator but now I have to climb down 
>> inside to
>> finish up the corners and such. the hole will be 4' X 4' x 6' deep. 
>> Should
>> I be worried about cave-ins?
>>
>
> It depends. What's your soil like?
> if it collapses, how deep will you be buried?
>
> If you're buried waist deep, you just have to wait til someone comes 
> to dig you out (or you can dig yourself out with your hands).
>
> If you're buried with your chest under dirt (i.e. the collapse knocked 
> you over, or there's a big pile of dirt next to the hole, so the hole 
> will be filled back up), you will likely die before someone can dig 
> you out, even if they're standing there, shovel in hand, ready to 
> start digging.
>
> I'll readily admit that when I was younger and more ignorant, I 
> climbed down into plenty of holes. I won't do it now.
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