Fastest Way to Dig a Trench - Never get Tired Again

[@dannyfisher6681]

Anybody that did not see this is trenching 101 and an awesome tutorial is just being stubborn. Well done! Being in Underground Construction I dug many holes and trenches. This was totally pro and I will use this method for now on.

[@brianc9642]

As a Nor’easter and one who has done some trench digging, I am green (brown?) with envy, I could only DREAM of digging that sandy soil you have in FL! The clay, rocks & roots here take a whole lotta of extra time and effort in comparison. That said, you have a strong back and a great disposition, thanks for your vids!

[@RevengeWT]

I'm in down south Florida, I have no idea where this guy has this nice of dirt. My backyards dirt is just all roots and horrible to dig through.

[@90ERS]

Hallelujah, you wouldn’t believe the rock filled soil we have here in New England! And not small rocks only, big rocks too. But same digging principles as shown in the video apply. Thanks for posting.

[@lowellirish]

You're a weather pattern? 😂😂😂

[@briancannon3619]

Only when I’m yelling or flatulent. Sometimes they coincide & really blow!

[@bobbylibertini]

At the beginning of the video, it shows a mattock among the tools. But apparently he never had to use it. Where I am, the mattock comes out whenever the shovel does.....

[@cappyjack3070]

Old fella that did my concrete drive way years ago told me the best method. Only load half or less a shovel full every time. That 70 year old man moved loads of dirt and never got tired.

[@patty109109]

This is actually why I don’t regret the 60’ trench I did today with a 4” trench shovel. Easy on the back and not fatiguing. This applies elsewhere too: get 50 lb bags of concrete instead of 80. I’m strong but why stress anything?

[@bp3d106]

Forget all that, I want that sod cutter.

[@joestalin2375]

For revenge?

[@Flyboyminer]

That thing is genius!

[@joestalin2375]

S.O.S. signs for planes to rescue survivors with,a must have !

[@DontLookBehindYou1]

Ikr

[@windfall35]

I always watch the older tradesmen when they are engaged in heavy labour- they are smart and strategic in the tools they use and how they employ them. Great demonstration and sage advice!

[@gimpygardner3377]

The reason it took twice as long to dig is because it is too small for that trench. I was an electrician and used a smaller shovel than the red one to run conduit (6" depth). My trench was only as wide as the shovel. Less dirt to move and less damage to the customer's lawn.

[@feathermerchant]

Exactly, why on earth would you use the smaller shovel (sometimes called a 'master spade') to dig a wide trench if you don't need a wide trench? I used one to trench for electrical conduit. The building inspector said he had never seen such a narrow trench.

[@lukeblackford1677]

I used the trenching shovel in the video for 4” drain pipe. Worked like a charm.

[@lukeblackford1677]

@@professorg8383 The depth varied, the deepest section was about 24” below grade. I used an older type of narrow trenching shovel as well to loosen and break up the clay soil in the deeper sections and the type used in this video to clean the trench out

[@lukeblackford1677]

@@professorg8383 I dug a trench from the back of my house, around the five foot wide side yard, under the AC condenser pad, under a fence, past the gas meter, the water line and meter and fiber optic cable (which I accidentally cut), to within ten feet of the sidewalk in front of our house. I think it was 120 feet, with a one inch drop every four feet. Installed a four inch trench drain along the back patio and four inch pvc drain pipe from there to the sidewalk. S.E.Louisiana, hard rains used to flood the patio, it was brutal work but worth it!

[@archiebunker7688]

In trench digging school they showed how this video is misguided because he is trying to dig a trench more than twice as wide as the common shovel. Northern clay is great for a trenching shovel because it's harder material than sand in florida Much more material to move. What is going in? Electrical conduit? Don't use a 4 inch trench shovel for a driveway culvert get a backhoe.😮 work smart not hard and don't ever try cutting your own hair gee whiz.

[@AT502]

Wife and I are native central Floridians. We bought a piece of property in central Georgia for a second home, had a house built on a hilly piece of property and boy did we ever learn about water management along with digging in rock and root infested red clay that is either hard as a brick when dry or slippery snot when wet so I had to find the best dampness period between dry and wet for hand digging trenches for the 800' of 4" drain pipe and numerous drains I installed. It took a lot of tweaking and watching your KZbin videos but after a year the drainage issues are pretty much taken care of ... and I threw that 4" trenching shovel in the wood pile after about the first two days. Thanks for the informative videos!

[@davidlatiak]

Other comments saying the same thing. You don't dig an 8" wide trench with a 5" wide shovel, that makes no sense and of course will take longer. The point is to dig a 5" wide trench so that you move significantly less dirt to accomplish the same task which is putting a piece of conduit in the ground. The other benefit of the drain spade is it excells at fetching dirt out from under tree roots etc as you progress through your trench also reducing the labor of trying to bust through big tree roots. My drain spade is much longer than yours (ha ha ha I'm 12) so if you lay it down in the trench to scoop under a tree root it can actually clear out a pretty large amount of material. In this case you are putting a large drainage line in that would necessitate a larger trench. However for an electrical contractor the largest thing I'm gonna typically be burrying is 2" PVC conduit or maybe up to 4" DB2 for a service. Kinda gives dunning krueger vibes when you're chuckling about "so called contractors" not digging a wider trench like they're idiots. If you need an 8" wide trench for big drain pipes then dig an 8" wide trench, if you're running smaller material then why move all that extra dirt and make a bigger gash across someones lawn.

[@kevint1910]

"The point is to dig a 5" wide trench so that you move significantly less dirt"

[@davidlatiak]

Ummm no, move less dirt is less work overall 100%. Narrow trench is less work to dig and less disruption to customers gardens and landscaping. A drain spade has a much longer blade (and much less "lift" angle) than the shovel he's using and you go straight down 18" plus and break out the dirt with every bite. I also use an sds max drill with clay spade or chipping bit to bust up rocks/concrete flush with the edges of my trench and remove the rubble instead of digging out entire stones which the power trencher can't really deal with. Where I'm usually trenching you're either hand digging or getting a mini-ex don't see many trenchers here in my part of the world for good reason. I agree the trenching shovel he's using is only good for cleaning out after a mechanical trencher but if you look up drain spade you'll see what I'm talking about, once you get the hole to your depth you just keep taking 3-4" bites out of the dirt moving backwards and each bite is the full depth of a typical electrical trench. You're certainly entitled to believe whatever you want about the subterranean arts, I've dug plenty of trenches in poor conditions. I've dug ground plates in the middle of Canadian winter going down through frozen dirt so I will respectfully disagree with you based on the weight of ample personal experience.

[@thieltech1]

I agree 8" is pointless for conduit etc. Destroying more yard and more work

[@gregster3307]

Sir....I cannot thank you enough..I am 56 and had to dig out a massive area..been awhile since I had to use a shovel..omg !!You literally saved me SO MUCH WORK!!!This video is a complete game changer..seriously, thank you so very much!

[@appledrains]

Happy to help 👍

[@jessemogle]

You taught this better than all the other people I watched before or after. Applaud you man. That knee-to-elbow thing was huge to learn. Thank you.

[@appledrains]

👍thanks

[@markg7963]

Na. You were lolligagging with that trenching shovel😂

[@bv2999]

Hello! The red "Trenching" Shovel is specifically designed for digging narrow trenches for sprinkler line and pipes etc. WHY on Earth would you use it for an 8 to 12 inch wide Trench?????????

[@zfolwick]

nobody says this, but SHARPEN THE EDGE OF YOUR SHOVEL. It's a lifesaver.

[@kevint1910]

lol dude if you use them right they sharpen themselves and eventually get so thin they chip and break and need replaced ... says a lot that you think it is the other way round.

[@joytotheworld9109]

​@@kevint1910 if you are taking a new blunt edged shovel to attack a lot of roots you will save time by giving it an edge before you start digging. In general they should stay sharp with general use, but a quick look if you've been hitting rocks won't hurt. Roots are springy enough with a sharp edge.

[@kevint1910]

@@joytotheworld9109 I spent 30+ years in construction roughly 25% of it involving ditching and shovels , never once was any of the things you mention an issue and as your foreman I would have fired you on the spot for wasting time and metal grinding an edge onto a digging implement of any kind...and not simply for the aforementioned time embezzlement but more for being that stupid in the first place.

[@matthewbeaver5026]

​@@kevint1910doesn't need replacing. Just re-profiled. Or in other words. Sharpened. Grinder would be quick. Flat file will do it all the same.

[@organicthug5220]

@@matthewbeaver5026 If I am cutting through sod you better believe I am busting out the grinder on my flat shovel. As far as the spade goes, I hit rocks or often it wouldn’t make much of a difference to sharpen it.

[@user-zu1ix3yq2w]

I used this technique a couple of years and it made it very doable in dry ground. They were impressed how quickly I could dig the trench. It was beyond easy once some water was added.. highly effective.

[@2cents368]

The knee trick at 5:37 is well worth watching the video.

[@appledrains]

Thanks!! 👍

[@AlexSpieslechner]

i'm a scrawny software dev and this video allowed me to dig a trench for my fiber. i would have just stopped after the first day without you. bless you!

[@appledrains]

@@AlexSpieslechner happy to help

[@markafletcher2042]

Chuck, I used this method earlier today, & it was the easiest I’ve dug a trench. Thank you

[@appledrains]

@@markafletcher2042 glad to help

[@savannahkutkat]

I'll be digging a trench tomorrow. I truly appreciate your thorough video.

[@usakicksass]

I dug catch basins for a curb contractor 48 years ago for two seasons. Had a bar made from a model T drive shaft and MY FAVORITE ALL TIME SHOVEL the T handle short shaft wide blade shovel. Those two things and a few hits of weed for lunch. They called me the Mexican backhoe. Work is a beautiful thing, enjoy it with other men while you're young. And have a few kids to spend your money on.

[@maigematthews5620]

0:24 Awesome Content!🎉 What do you call that tool that you used to cut the top soil sod?

[@ericaduncan8439]

Wonderful video! Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom with us all. It really is amazing what we can do if we have the desire and believe we can do it.

[@louisdesrosiers6954]

Thank you for the tips! I'll be sure to give it a go !

[@andycanable5076]

I wish we had that fluffy marshmallow soil where I live!! I dig in the rocks and caliche of Arizona. You use a digging bar to chip out a trench and then the shovel to clean out the bottom.

[@appledrains]

@@andycanable5076 good luck

[@guy-tn2ud]

Try that in my backyard, which is basically a forest. I struggle to get past the very first inch, which is mostly a mat of poison ivy roots. Right under those roots is beautiful loamy dark composted forest dirt, for about 2 inches. Then the really big roots start showing up. I still dig by hand, but I usually plan on burning though a couple reciprocating saw blades. But I'm not disagreeing with this video at all. I tried a few different trench shovels, root cutter shovel, etc. But generally the one I use the most is the basic pointed shovel. Lots of good tips here, I've been watching these videos for years and successfully redirected water from my property with a trench (trench drain, no pipe) over 150 long finished with french drain pipe and a emitter. Then I buried my downspouts and sent all that water where I wanted as well. I saved thousands, but I was also not working at the time. This is a nice "self made channel". Thanks.

[@appledrains]

I’d be happy to

[@guy-tn2ud]

@@appledrains 😅

[@leonlowenstadter9223]

Sounds like it will be worth the money to rent a small excavator. You could not imagine how fast you can dig with theses fellas. I had to remove a bush lately and it took me much less time (and effort of course) as when I removed one of half that size by hand.

[@thomasmorrison3279]

This is my lame comment. LOL. Thank you for the technique. I need to dig a hole for a concrete footer. I will keep your method in mind.

[@hankhighsmith9050]

I just dug a 45' trench for drain tile. It took a lot of time to dig around and remove a few large roots and a square piece of rubber backed car rug, clay pockets and rocks. It's taken me a few days off and on but I haven't dug a trench in decades and Ive been here for 7. Going on 8. Spade, pick axe and post hole digger.

[@NottyGurlStyle]

Thank you! If I didn't have to go to work I would go right outside to my front yard. This was great information!

[@appledrains]

Glad to help

[@dontwren]

wow. i don't know how i found this video, but you just taught me something important. appreciate it

[@tlbstickman]

The smaller 5" trenching shovel worked best for me as my trench only needed to be 5" wide to lay conduit. It doesn't make sense to move all that extra dirt just to fill it back in again.

[@kevkev5935]

This was great info. I have to dig 100+ feet for conduit and UF-B line for a hot tub hookup so this was great information.

[@Shuriath.]

I would think that if you dug the trenching shovel trench the width of the trenching shovel you may find it faster, digging an 8” trench with a 4” trenching shovel means twice as many scoops. If i use a trenching shovel to dig a trench it will be the width of the trenching shovel and only used for laying cable or retic pipe. No need to dig a wide one for that.

[@Norbingel]

That soil is nice and soft. I can jump my 190lb frame up and down on a shovel and never get the entire blade under the soil like that.

[@donmulder8061]

This is so timely. I am placing pipes in the ground and also laying some Ethernet and electrical cable. I almost bought one of those trenching shovels and a new pick for the job but I have the 8 inch round shovel in the garage so I am good! You saved me money and time. Question: I have to dig up old corrugated pipes as part of my project. I did one a few weeks ago and it was back breaking. Finding it, digging it up, getting it out from among the roots and vines and rocks, all excruciating. Any tips?

[@Gengingen]

Thank you for keeping the basics simple & straightforward lest a newbie think nothing less than the latest & greatest Kubota excavator will do the job 😊

[@prince027]

Where's that? The soil is so wet. I dug a 2 feet deep, two feet long hole in summer in Central Valley, CA. Took me 3 hours and blisters on my palms.

[@johnnyrock852]

Stuff here is sandy... difficult to keep trench clear. What do you do with that?

[@nobby78]

Absolutely the right tools and techniques to dig a trench..period! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@tex24]

Not a lame topic at all. If you dig the wrong way you'll get the message really quickly. Thanks for posting.

[@carlosduron2914]

I see your point but we used the trenching shovel to dig a trench for laying cable wire and it was the perfect size for laying down wire. If you need to lay down a 4 in or 6 in pipe yes I would use the shovel but for wire or small diameter pipe I'd prefer the trenching shovel

[@tedspens]

Like so many physical tasks, it's all about technique. Leveraging your knee is just plain smart, which is probably why I never thought of it. Excellent tutorial and video. Thanks! ⚒👍

[@ICopiedJohnOswald]

For an 18" depth trench at what length would you switch from hand digging to a machine?

[@freeandcriticalthinker4431]

What’s your thoughts on using those thick but smaller “structron” spade shaped shovels I used to call Digging shovels for really hard ground? I think they were probably 6.5”-7” across and a third shorter than regular 8”. They are pretty heavy though

[@ontario.yard.drainage]

We use the spade to knock it out and the orange trencher to skim and notch the bottom. Great video! As always.

[@appledrains]

Nice work 👍

[@appledrains]

Thanks for sharing

[@ontario.yard.drainage]

No thank you. Seriously. I love your approach sir. And we have learned so much from your content. Our family thanks you. 😊

[@Uberfluous404]

Never seen a manual sod cutter like that before. Very cool.

[@shaun8256]

I'd love to have ground that easy to dig through! Could you do that with rock filled dirt, like fist to head sized rocks everywhere. It all depends on the width of trench your digging.

[@erinvela1555]

What was that very first tool used... to take off the grass?

[@genolouis9858]

Thank you for the tutorial.

[@appledrains]

You are welcome!

[@Olgi41]

When I worked on that kind of construction many years ago we referred to those narrow shovels as "track spades" because they were normally used for cleaning mud out of the dozer tracks. They're great for that. I never saw them used for digging anything else except possibly a small hole where a normal shovel was too big.

[@lauracollins5298]

Use them for edging flower beds!!👩🏻‍🦰🌸🌻🌹🌳🌷🌾

[@reallyme3573]

For digging I would use a regular Dutch spade, with a T-handle with a looooong shaft. We drive it into the ground more vertical with our body weight, then the long shaft gives leverage. The T-handle makes it easier to handle. You can grab the end with both hands, and again this increases leverage, but most of the time one hand would be in the middle, near the center of gravity, like you have shown in this video. A Dutch spade works great for heavy clay and for compacted sand. For moving loose sand we would use a regular shovel.

[@MonarchPoolPlaster]

What state is this in? In Southern California I can't stick my shovel in the dirt without hitting a big rock.

[@Backstabbio]

I want to see ya'll dig holes like that on the Texas Gulf Coast during the summer time!

[@CogentConsult]

That 5-inch trenching shovel is designed for digging a narrow trench for irrigation/underground sprinkler systems by hand.

[@DanKuches]

This was really informative and helpful. Thanks

[@arnarne]

Excellent video! However, I wonder how you get the right angle in the trench, so the water runs and doesn't get stuck?

[@appledrains]

@@arnarne dig down hill!😊

[@Vincent575]

Thank you so much for the Body mechanics way of digging a ditch. I just recently recently got a quote to put a 6 inch drain in 50 feet $2000. To get an excavator to do it. I’ll do it myself. It may take me a little bit of time. The original quote was 6200 for the pipe 45 tons of dirt grass seed I asked him to go down on price just to dig the ditch for the pipe 2000.😮

[@lauracollins5298]

Ha!! Yup. I will shovel. I’m 67 need the exercise and saving myself some moola!!

[@antoniiocaluso1071]

REALLY helps ALOT if the spade-edge is sharpened alittle :-) wish I'd seen this 67-years ago!! haaaaaaaaaaaa now, off to practice this new-fangled idea!!

[@lauracollins5298]

Yup. I am 67 and a woman. Gonna start on my teach tomorrow! I am inspired. Gotta get the runoff on my floor under control…..

[@Keifsanderson]

I love ya, Chuck, but you missed the mark on this one. That trenching shovel is supposed to be used to cut a trench only as wide as the shovel! I have one and use it for irrigation. Its super easy and disturbs less of the lawn.

[@appledrains]

Thanks

[@captainchaos52]

From a shovel artist, you left off the most important part. The soil is never moist. Get a hand grinder & grind both sides of all digging tools, especially the shovel. What a sharpened shovel will do against a dull is nite & day. Happy digging!

[@FaaBaar]

Interesting video, especially now that I have to start digging a lot around our garden. Funny that the spades didn't have a handle at the other end. Why is that? Never seen such spades here.

[@appledrains]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@redolentofmark]

Can’t wait to dig a trench in my yard 😂 Love the advice great video yeah

[@catherinelee9199]

Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@donmarshall4888]

I agree with the Nor’easter guy and as an old Floridian, it’s a heck of lot easier when you don’t have rocks and more rocks. Oregon yard grows em by the loader full.

[@appledrains]

@@donmarshall4888 you grow rocks?

[@lovewenwin]

Thank you

[@appledrains]

You're welcome

[@CoconutPete]

how to dig in rocky soil I wonder?

[@waynemillard7426]

And not a single rock in sight! I sure wish I had this soil at my place!

[@cloudbanksisland]

I have also been digging a lifetime. My personal experience with orthopaedic coaching from my foot doctor: wear serious boots, preferably steel shank AND don't step on the shovel with your arch, rather much closer to the ball of your foot

[@robertr.4583]

Nice video. Thanks. It was helpful.

[@tuanas458]

I'm a noob but does this stuff permits one to dig for setting the base of pavers? Need about 6inch of class 5 rocks, 1 inch of sand, and the paver, dept.

[@BrockSampson199]

I would take ANY shovel that will work with Arizona ground! 🤣

[@damianpokoj1065]

Thank you. It's not a "rocket science" but us beginners always do it wrong. Ignore the haters. We DYI's thank you.

[@PRLcafe]

You are a king ! Ty ty ty

[@jericlocke1]

I have around 10 different shovels. I have one trench shovel and it does get used when going under sidewalk or down in the foundation 8 feet when space is a premium.

[@KarasCyborg]

This is great for moist places, but come to the Rocky Caliche South West and try that. The pick bounces off the ground. You will need a Pick and a Digging Bar to get anywhere, a pressure washer also helps.

[@JorisVanPeer]

Please tell me where you find that sod cutter. I'm looking for it online, but only find motorized ones. My local garden center has never even heard of manual sod cutters. I really need this thing. Can you please refer me some place? NB: I live in Belgium :-)

[@appledrains]

Try Amazon

[@grilsegrils9330]

What is the best way to did a trench where there is lots of rocks and gravel? It is tedious for sure. Just wondering if there is techniques? The ⛏️ for sure, but any other tips?

[@novampires223]

That's the way my dad dug ditches, using his knee. We lived on an old river bed, lots and lots of round rocks.😊

[@mcconn746]

It depends on how wide you need the trench. I have put in water line with a long trenching shovel that is 3 - 4" wide. It is a lot easier than a regular shovel if you don't need a wider trench. What am I missing?

[@NokkaSifu]

trenching shovel i use for smaller irrigation lines and lighting low voltage wires trenches can be skinny...

[@KSS-dh9en]

You're awesome Chuck - greatest "water man" alive! What's the min depth between ground and top of the pipe? Thanks!

[@jericlocke1]

It is more fun when you have rocks in that clay. I just pulled some up with sea shell fossils in the middle of the clay layer. I live in the center of PA mind you. These are very old deposits and the area is famous for its silica deposits which feuled the now defunct and long gone brick factories of a hundred years ago.

[@MonkeyPunchZPoker]

On my clay yard I had to use the trenching shovel and almost put my full weight on it and slice out about an inch at a time, looked almost like a deli slice. Otherwise the clay would stick to the clay that sticks to the clay that sticks to your shovel and shoes and everything else. If I wanted to I could have went over with the larger spade, but I didn't want to. Not tiring but took forever.

[@appledrains]

Interesting

[@axtell1966]

Your correct saying it depends on the application. Not a fair comparison. I would not use the trenching shovel to dig an 8-10" trench. A sprinkler, water line or wire, yes. As far as getting tired, I very rarely see a video with someone using a shovel digging in red clay soil. I'm jealous...

[@twelvesmylimit]

Thank you!

[@ProctorSilex]

It also helps that you have dirt instead of rocks thinly veiled by clay with some big roots in betwixt for fun.

[@Greg-me8le]

What is the purpose of that smaller trench shovel? In my mind, it is for narrower trenches like irrigation lines. You can use the big shovel to remove the sod first, then the little shovel to dig a narrow trench and not have to move so much dirt. Is that a correct understanding of the right tool for the right job?

[@johnterry8958]

Fine for places with warmish winters. Where I live it freezes down to at least 36 inches deep in the winter, so pipes have to be put in trenches deeper than that. Shovels don't seem adequate for that.

[@the_atomic_punk487]

Mini excavator for the win. Shale where I live.

[@JohnOliver100]

Thanks so much!

[@jonm3255]

Wow you just shaved me a bunch time and expense! Love your videos!!!! I started here instead of Home Depot!

[@jeffa847]

Where do you get that sodcutter at the beginning?

[@appledrains]

Try Ace

[@Jamhynz]

Another technique for the shovel is to rest the shovel handle on your thigh with one hand behind pushing down and the hand in front guiding and lifting while your legs do the initial heavy lift.

[@scottshawn70]

You can dig a trench just as fast with a 4" trenching shovel as you can with a 6" trenching shovel, or a standard shovel.. just depends what the trench is for. If its a sprinkler line obviously use the 4" trenching shovel. If its for 4" pipe use the 6" trenching shovel. If your digging a ratwall/footing use the standard shovel. Its not so much about having a "faster" way as it is using the correct tool.

[@sonygrey871]

What kind of boots do you use Chuck?

[@hadleymanmusic]

I'm sharpening my flat shovel right now

[@lowellirish]

Here in N.H? Dig 4" down and hit granite ledge, boulders the size of basketballs... Your points are well-taken, however...and after having been a landscaper for 20+ years, I've dug MILES of trench...so much so, my back, neck, hip is all jacked up at 59...AND Ive been using the techniques you showed. One thing you DONT emphasize is lifting with your legs, not twisting BACKWARDS- which you did, working backnis good, but throwing forward is better!

[@wisemant11]

Excellent content as always!

[@camperjack2620]

I saw an experienced plumber in Florida using one of those 5 inch shovels. In damp sandy soil, exactly 12 inches deep from the street to the house in a half an hour. No sweat. Ran a water service line. Then trenches under the slab for drain lines. The trench was exactly the size he needed. The whole project roughed in on a day and he went home early. By the way, be real careful using your foot to push the shovel into the ground. Wear heavy boots and do not jump on that tiny edge. Push and wiggle it into the dirt.

[@bulletsponge1656]

Digging in the best case soil must be nice try Texas clay lol jumping up and down on shovel to get it to go into the ground sucks...

[@blackknight9558]

Great Video

[@michaellalanae7228]

Pressure washer and a shallow trench like we use when putting in a well as well as a pump .