Diggign on steep banks

[FightTheBan 1,147]

Had two 5-6 ft digs today on a very steep bank (struggle to walk on).

Took me twice as long to backfill as it did to dig them

 

Are there any techniques used to stop your backfill ending up down the hill?

I tried banking the soil up a bit, but it was still a right c**t.

 

ATB

 

FTB

[Guest busterdog]

Try to put the turf (if there is any) in a pile where your throwing your soil, it should pile up behind it, or look for an old log or two and bank up your spoil behind them.

 

 

[hogs head son 7]

Try to put the turf (if there is any) in a pile where your throwing your soil, it should pile up behind it, or look for an old log or two and bank up your spoil behind them.

thats the way mate

[bud9 79]

we were on a bank last week we just done what the lad has already said we took the turf well died bracken and put it on the top side of the earth and if it geting too much we just put it to the side abit never below the earth

[Waz 4,252]

I try to get as much spoil uphill of the dig as possible, to hold it back, I get 2 branches - make 2 holes either side of the dig (after youve started digging) put branches in as stakes/post vertically, across them lay longer branches to make a kind of barrier, throw as much as I can above that. When you have finished lift out the branches and knock it back in, Along with as much dead wood as possible.

 

On another backfilling note. An old guy who invites a few lads along once every year for a few digs. He gets a strop on if anyone throws any dead wood in as backfill. Next time I see him I will ask shy, but anytime ive thought of asking him hes had his strop out so thought best left unsaid, lol.

 

Just remembered heres a photo of the old guy (although) headless and a dig on a bit of a bank although no great gradient.

Edited February 8, 2011 by GD Waz

[Guest AngelicAcid]

Does the wood not rot eventually, and can wreck the earth?

[Rabbit Hunter 6,613]

If there's any big logs lying about, we put them down from where your digging and pile the spoil up against them. Always seems to work well.

[p3d 879]

IMO best to keep the spoil below you.

Every cubic metre of soil above you adds a tonne weight ready to collapse the trench wall.

If you have to move up the tube (more than one at home)you would be tunnelling under the spoil above your head.

It is unlikely you would ever have to move back down the tube.

 

 

On a slope Wood should be OK as any sinking of the backfill as the wood rots would not be a problem.

On open meadow where grazing takes place, best to use rocks to bridge, or backfill completely. (close the tube end)

Farmers do not like sunken sections where tubes were open.

 

If the slope is severe, flatten a section below the dig, (or to the side)

Throw the spoil on this flat section and it will not run away from you.

Edited February 8, 2011 by p3d

[welshhound2 20]

IMO best to keep the spoil below you.

Every square metre of soil above you adds a tonne weight ready to collapse the trench wall.

If you have to move up the tube (more than one at home)you would be tunnelling under the spoil above your head.

It is unlikely you would ever have to move back down the tube.

 

 

On a slope Wood should be OK as any sinking of the backfill as the wood rots would not be a problem.

On open meadow where grazing takes place, best to use rocks to bridge, or backfill completely. (close the tube end)

Farmers do not like sunken sections where tubes were open.

 

If the slope is severe, flatten a section below the dig, (or to the side)

Throw the spoil on this flat section and it will not run away from you.

got to agree with you p3d put the soil above you on a steep bank and your askin for trouble personally when on a steep slope we norm put the soil on the sides of the dig and below us, depending on the deapth of the dig you know how far to sling it back

[howsshefrom 32]

Couldnt agree with p3d more spot on..

[Butler 396]

IMO best to keep the spoil below you.

Every square metre of soil above you adds a tonne weight ready to collapse the trench wall.

If you have to move up the tube (more than one at home)you would be tunnelling under the spoil above your head.

It is unlikely you would ever have to move back down the tube.

 

 

On a slope Wood should be OK as any sinking of the backfill as the wood rots would not be a problem.

On open meadow where grazing takes place, best to use rocks to bridge, or backfill completely. (close the tube end)

Farmers do not like sunken sections where tubes were open.

 

If the slope is severe, flatten a section below the dig, (or to the side)

Throw the spoil on this flat section and it will not run away from you.

got to agree with you p3d put the soil above you on a steep bank and your askin for trouble personally when on a steep slope we norm put the soil on the sides of the dig and below us, depending on the deapth of the dig you know how far to sling it back

 

 

So you fellas know what way the dog is facing before you start to dig then???????????????? Always put the spoil up hill or if on a very steep bank either side to save as much as possible for the backfill and to make doing so alot easier. On a deep dig (lot's of spoil) we use logs as shuttering to hold the spoil back.

[p3d 879]

So you fellas know what way the dog is facing before you start to dig then????????????????

 

Yes.

 

I dug with some great digging lads many years ago, we did not have locaters back then.

I learned my trade with them, but have been away from this game for a while.

I probably do not have your years experience. Starting back in at the moment

and joined a forum like this to learn other methods.

 

My first task is to locate the terrier baying.

Second task is to "check" all entrances. Tie off all other dogs within view.

Third task is to determine direction of tube. (T-bar)

Then plan the dig. Whether benching may be required. The size of the base, spoil placement.

remove the sod and put to one side. Then start Digging.

 

 

I have seen posts where guys where blaming the locator on opening to the side of the tube!

I could not understand how this was happening,now I know why.

 

Just my opinion on the original post.

ATB

Edited February 9, 2011 by p3d

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

So you fellas know what way the dog is facing before you start to dig then????????????????

 

Yes.

 

I dug with some great digging lads many years ago, we did not have locaters back then.

I learned my trade with them, but have been away from this game for a while.

I probably do not have your years experience. Starting back in at the moment

and joined a forum like this to learn other methods.

 

My first task is to locate the terrier baying.

Second task is to "check" all entrances. Tie off all other dogs within view.

Third task is to determine direction of tube. (T-bar)

Then plan the dig. Whether benching may be required. The size of the base, spoil placement.

remove the sod and put to one side. Then start Digging.

 

 

I have seen posts where guys where blaming the locator on opening to the side of the tube!

I could not understand how this was happening,now I know why.

 

Just my opinion on the original post.

ATB

Good post mate .A lot of lads out there wont have a clue what your on about though.