The art of digging a hole

I need to bury two large barrels (36x24) below the ground, but I can't do
too much collateral damage while digging the hole. I was thinking about
using a post hole digger to try and keep the sides as straight as possible.
The soil is hard clay below 1', so I don't expect too much slippage, but
there will be some.

Any brighter ideas?

"Bill Stock" wrote:

> I need to bury two large barrels (36x24) below the ground, but I can't do
> too much collateral damage while digging the hole. I was thinking about
> using a post hole digger to try and keep the sides as straight as possible.
> The soil is hard clay below 1', so I don't expect too much slippage, but
> there will be some.
>
> Any brighter ideas?
>

I would rent a small backhoe. I used one to dig my pond. It was able to get
through a 5' side yard and dug like crazy. Plus, it fed my testosterone
habit


San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Koi, Goldfish, and RES named Colombo.

On Sun, 10 Jun 2007 16:21:31 CST, "Bill Stock" <> wrote:

>I need to bury two large barrels (36x24) below the ground, but I can't do
>too much collateral damage while digging the hole. I was thinking about
>using a post hole digger to try and keep the sides as straight as possible.
>The soil is hard clay below 1', so I don't expect too much slippage, but
>there will be some.
>
>Any brighter ideas?

If SD Joe's idea doesn't work for you, my guys have this special ditching
shovel, http://www.ames.com/Resources/Shovels_1.pdf 3rd picture as you
scroll down shovel H or I. ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us

On Sun, 10 Jun 2007 16:21:31 CST, "Bill Stock" <>
wrote:

>I need to bury two large barrels (36x24) below the ground, but I can't do
>too much collateral damage while digging the hole. I was thinking about
>using a post hole digger to try and keep the sides as straight as possible.
>The soil is hard clay below 1', so I don't expect too much slippage, but
>there will be some.
>
>Any brighter ideas?

Take your time if you do it by hand. I took several days digging a
hole for three barrels, over 6' long and 2' wide allowing me to get
into the hole with a mattock for loosening the clay. You mention
slippage, I don't have permafrost here and didn't have any
shifting/slippage after filling. Four inch PVC pipe and bulkheads
that connect the barrels probably helped, since they are pretty
stout.

Regards,

Hal

"Hal" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Sun, 10 Jun 2007 16:21:31 CST, "Bill Stock" <>
> wrote:
>
>>I need to bury two large barrels (36x24) below the ground, but I can't do
>>too much collateral damage while digging the hole. I was thinking about
>>using a post hole digger to try and keep the sides as straight as
>>possible.
>>The soil is hard clay below 1', so I don't expect too much slippage, but
>>there will be some.
>>
>>Any brighter ideas?
>
> Take your time if you do it by hand. I took several days digging a
> hole for three barrels, over 6' long and 2' wide allowing me to get
> into the hole with a mattock for loosening the clay. You mention
> slippage, I don't have permafrost here and didn't have any
> shifting/slippage after filling. Four inch PVC pipe and bulkheads
> that connect the barrels probably helped, since they are pretty
> stout.
>
> Regards,
>
> Hal

Thanks Hal.

I just finished digging out a tree (10" double stump) and digging the hole
for my new shed. So sadly, digging is my life this summer.

I was considering putting the barrels in the shed, but it's no where close
to the pond and I want it gravity fed so I can put the pump after the
filter.