[TowerTalk] Square Hole or Round Hole for Self Supporter?

[Matt Lovewell]

Patrick,

That is in line or maybe a bit cheap.  Most won’t probably won’t go under a 4hr minimum and that aligns with about $500/hr.  The actual hole of 5’ x 8’ could be drilled in 5 minutes if they’re hustling.  Teeth are probably $10 a piece depending on if they mark them up and how big their teeth are.  They're carbide, so not cheap.  They won’t break unless they’re in nasty rock, and it would be much more likely they’d wear out in rock than break.  It wouldn't have been a concern in your soil and sand rock.

This is why I say it is likely cheaper to just hire a backhoe and operator to do your hole.

Best,

Matt

> On Jan 21, 2018, at 8:07 AM, <john at kk9a.com> <john at kk9a.com> wrote:
> 
> This is a great price for a backhoe op. I agree, I would not hire someone to
> do a job and also take responsibly for their drill bit, that risk should be
> included in their bid. I have often had trouble finding someone to dig holes
> for me and I found it easier just to rent a backhoe and dig it myself. They
> are not difficult to operate.
> 
> John KK9A
> 
> From:    Patrick Greenlee
> Date:    Sun, 21 Jan 2018 07:47:05 -0600
> 
> Matt, Drillers who will come out in rural south central Oklahoma aren't in
> good supply.  I searched a lot and found two.  Best deal of the two for a 5
> ft diameter hole 8 ft deep was $2000 and I was responsible if they broke a
> tooth and I was responsible for a commercial tow rig in case they got stuck.
> 
> I knew they wouldn't get stuck but I have no experience re breaking teeth on
> their machine so I was a tad leery and used a local "dirt contractor" who
> charged $80 to dig my hole with a backhoe.
> 
> How does $2000 for 5 ft diameter 8 ft deep compare to your experiences? This
> was for digging through clay, sandy clay and maybe some soft sand rock.
> Sand rock is a local name for a type of sand stone that crumbles by hand
> strength alone and digs pretty easy with backhoe.
> 
> Patrick        NJ5G
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk