This Project Almost Whooped Me

[@Vickie-Bligh]

You are a godsend to your neighbors. It's one thing to hire work done, but when you know the person, it makes all the difference. We had a leaking roof and our neighbor at the time was a roofer. He got some extra $$, we got our roof fixed and had peace of mind. When we finally had our roof redone, the company told us that was one of the best patching jobs they'd seen in a long time. Thanks for showing the cable repair. I wondered how they did it.

[@wolphin732]

Very similar for any sort... cut it back and splice in a chunk of cable.

[@Vickie-Bligh]

@@wolphin732 If you know how!🤣

[@cj14dalh]

Don't sweat the cable line. I hit one the other day, it happens. They are just now realizing that cables like these should be protected and have started to install them in proper conduit. It just makes everyone's life so much easier. To replace, or to even find. Good job working through this spider web!

[@bobkohl6779]

All joking aside, this is what makes this channel far superior to others. It's a craftsmanship at work. Outstanding work!

[@andrewruble7706]

That cable repair brought back memories. I did that work for a long time. That might have been my favorite part of the job. LOL Another great job Chris.

[@n7565j]

I don't know what you charged him, but it wasn't enough!!!!!!! That was an awful lot of work digging around those wires!! Even though you knew where they were, it sure made things difficult!!! Nice job sir!!!

[@apollorobb]

Who ever built that dam did a hell of a job compacting each lift. That's some good material. Great video sir

[@ClinttheGreat]

Don’t respond to the fake letsdig180 - names wrong anyway. It’s a scam.

[@bennetts-revenge_2]

@@ClinttheGreat I reported it

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

That was a very difficult spot to be in, especially without someone there to help spot the lines as you were digging. Nice job!!

[@marlondeere3039R]

Thanks for showing us digging around lines we all hunger for knowledge. For some reason this part is jumped around in a lot of videos out there. 😊

[@allanpeters4403]

Watching you walk that mini up and down that little slope got me thinking of how I used to watch my dad years ago walk his dragline up and down the sides of mountains in Pa. - It was amazing! Good job again Chris - getting under three live lines at different depths was a trick of lots of experience and skill.

[@donnaflanagan6612]

Small but tricky job Chris. I was able to watch a Vac Truck find some utility lines at my neighbour’s place, saves time & back breaking hand digging. Nice to see the little young fella super interested in what you were doing. Great skill mate😊 Take care & cheers🐨🦘🥰

[@kevinkenyon7045]

Chris great operating skills around and under the utilities, you make it look so easy! Thanks for sharing! Kevin

[@donmiller358]

Very tedious work with all those cables, and tight work space there, Chris. You are awesome with that Mini.

[@trickstothetrades1801]

Don’t feel to bad Chris I had one last month that in about as far as u had to dig we encountered 3 phone lines 2 cable lines 3 electrical lines and 2 water lines. It ranks as one of my worse digs to date. Oh yes and around the corner of the building there was a downspout line and 3 floor drain lines. The hand shovel got more hours on it than the mini 🤣

[@WoodandSteel]

I would always carry a can of international orange spay paint to spray the lines once uncovered. It helps.

[@davestuart6593]

I enjoy your interaction with other people in different trades,also your awesome skill with the mini!

[@bobferranti5222]

It's ironic how the smallest and simplest jobs require the most concentration a work lol. As usual, you performed wonderfully!

[@reedburke7762]

Shallow trenching under multiple utilities (wires), on uneven ground with trees everywhere takes a lot of skill and patience. It's made worse by crappy root-filled material and no one on the ground to "eyeball" for you. Great job! Ditto to the friendly cable repair man.

[@davidepool5884]

Another job well done. These small jobs give you a much needed and well deserved break from stumping and burning brush on the Bealy Good job.

[@paceauto5382]

Mann that takes some skills to dig around those line as such, “Skills Pay Bills”‼️💯

[@johnscott2849]

Always really bugs me to dig around power lines. Went threw a double 20 amp service to my shed out back with a trencher.. Sparks everywhere. Almost needed to change my shorts. I had forgot about it.Got underground repair kit from Lowe's. Still working 17 years later.

[@markmaul4525]

It is surely amazing with the new technology out there. How much it can save an operator like yourself in the completion of the job without costing extra expenses for the repairing of damaged hidden of the utilities lines.Excellent video on the replacement of a new overflow system without damaging the buried utility lines. Great Video again Chris.

[@propergander1162]

After surveying a whole site using pro radar a site service map was printed . On moving a mobile chicken coup we began to dig through the rock when boom big blue flash . The surrounding area remained in darkness for 2 days until fixed creating mayhem . The technology is only as good as the operator , now I never take a site plan as being bona fide and always use a banksman on a dig .

[@oldschoolhoosier]

This has to be one of your most tedious jobs yet. Those lines looked difficult to dig under while trying to keep grade. Good job. Your abilities are very impressive Chris. Great video on how a Skilled operator gets the job done….lol.

[@gdismine01]

Here in Ct. where I live you can not have any trees closer then 10ft to any dam.

[@Stratos53100]

With 3 like that in a confined space and a steep angle on the backslope i would agree.....i would dealing with some Advil after that

[@bobkohl6779]

Yea but that's where the finesse comes into play! Something you don't see much of except with Chris!

[@snowblowerman5115]

@@bobkohl6779 ehhh I tend disagree yeah chris has finesse but lots of other people do. Aswell I work strictly in utility construction digging on top of all types of utilities everyday all day I see plenty skilled operators. Honestly the times I see the most issues are when the land clearing site work pond guys decide to start digging around utilities. That's when I get most of my calls to go repair damage cables.

[@MrGoesBoom]

You did the best you could, but between how firmly packed that was, all the roots, and even one of the lines not quite being where it was supposed to be, I think it was a miracle that you only broke one cable. At least it's something that can be fixed. Love all your stuff, but the pond episodes are my favorites

[@brucethornton4044]

Chris, Thanks for being so honest and showing the cable break, that something I would have done. As I was watching you dig I couldn't believe you were getting away with it, I thought I know he's good but this crazy good! Your still damn good but thank god your human! I really enjoy your videos, hope you keep 'em coming. Bruce

[@karaburress6772]

Agree 💯 Love watching 🐾

[@johndeere8594]

I wouldn’t worry about the cable but that internet line would be real expensive.

[@asahall9108]

I thought he was a robot at first with those skills! At least we know he's human now...

[@craigwavra3495]

Can’t get much tighter in there. Enjoyed the little boy watching you. Brought back memories of me watching guys to street work all day!!

[@patrickcolahan7499]

Hydro exploration is the way to go. Very little chance of damaging utilities and much cheaper too. Cheap insurance. Thanks for sharing.

[@Mike7478F]

Agreed it’s a no brainer

[@dpsears240z]

Have an awesome weekend Chris. Thanks for the videos.

[@kimsapp1791]

Man…. I thought the basement lot was a tight fit, then I watched this digging around/under/over all the cables……whew! Good job, sir.

[@1herbert100]

Nice job, I didn't think you had near enough room to work. Now that little job took all the skill you could muster. Again, great job.

[@kennethnorris8340]

I suggest you keep a can of orange spray paint in your tool box to mark those pipes so you can more easily keep them in sight. Cheaper than a splicer.

[@marksaunders2500]

Hi from uk Chris👋👍 I can honestly say the years I have followed you I seen one favour branch out to guttering and 2 utility hits but thats still excellent considering in 2 weeks we had a lad fill in for me for 2 weeks off and he hit same power cable times withing 5M of both strikes 🤔 then proceeded to chase a water pipe to find junction where water pipe t junction was for hydrant and clipped the nipples of end of pipe flooding the job so so some operator he was I nearly list my job cos I had a holiday and my crew wont let it down and it happened before lockdown and I still hear them when we digging out muttering😂😂 lol so yes but great job as always chris and excellent job from neighbour (but we wouldn't of said anything and if he had no internet he would never of seen it was you👌😂) thanks for your time and be safe see you soon👍👋

[@Mtlmshr]

That hydro excavation is the way to go! Whoever the guy was that figured that out is a fricken genius!

[@Stratos53100]

Wouldnt it be swell to not only be the genius that invented it, but also held the patent for it. ( if thats a thing, i never looked it up ) Then selling the equipment....

[@larryterrell8458]

Never knew what those hydro trucks did. Seen on roads but… you braver than me filling the pipe with cement b4 finishing new line 👍🏻👏🏻. I enjoy your videos🇺🇸👏🏻👍🏻

[@greggb1416]

It appeared like the “ole boy” have done some cable splicing in his time…, probably “outta” keep his number close at hand…, hahaha. Nice work Chris…, as always. Thank you sir.

[@njonebale7889]

Got yourself a grey hair finally! I had nice hair like yours until I started utility excavating, and it didn’t take but a couple years and my whole cabazza was grey! It’s stressful work digging around 10,000 volt electric and 2” high pressure gas lines, waterlines, cable wires, old terracotta sewer mains, storm drains with engineers and town inspector’s watching every move you make, but you just go slow and easy on the levers, and if you don’t like the grey hair…go get some Grecian formula!

[@dcs4555]

i was gonna say you can't be a RR backhoe op if you can't dig like he does. well you can, but you're gonna have some po'd ground guys(alot of hand diggin). but nell ho, i aint diggin by no 10kv. call the bore crew lol. let them call the vacuum to spot. great video i was thinking every thought looking at it from his pov. good dam job. no body is perfect, just trying to be, every day. we callem good backhoe driver lol

[@DMAN10]

Well that was a tight fit! Great job Chris…thanks for sharing!

[@michaelmullins1290]

Jobs only professional's should do. A great operator with that mini is amazing the work they can do. Great job.

[@michaelschuenemann3505]

A Wonderful and Brilliant Job ! Cheers from us in Australia !!!!

[@richardvernick4280]

Chris. Looks great. That job was kind of tricky to get by those cable's and sewing that over flow pipe in place then close plus gra tde. Please Take Care plus be carful around all equipment.

[@stacywilliams6837]

Most entertaining! You really had your work cut out for you on this one. It was really telling to see how hard the ground was when the shovel hit it.

[@stevehall4548]

Another great job. I know the owner is glad this is fixed now. And what a fine looking little boy watching there too!

[@karenheartoriginal3783]

Another really fun in-n-out project that turned out great! You did your absolute utmost to protect those utilities but doggone if the cable didn’t just jump right onto your bucket tooth, arg…hate when that happens😕

[@applecreeksolarllc5064]

We had a job to where we had to dig out tree stumps I looked at your videos how you do it and guess what it worked customer was happy we had to put the solar panel rack where the trees were

[@TrevorDennis100]

Your man was not kidding when he said the dam ground would be hard. The spade was barely making a dent in it, We had a forty metre fence put in last year and the auger bought up a lot of rocks from the post holes. I started boxing it up and taking it to the river - which is about two miles from me - and after three very hard loads, I'd enough and was _veryy_ happy to pay a man with a mini and small dump truck. I hope the young lad on the bike got to see himself on KZbin. I mean it's not like he could watch his favourite cartoon on Cable that night. 😉

[@terryrogers1025]

Well young man, I’d say you earned your money and then some on this project. That has to be tedious as all get out working around buried utilities. It sure came out nice, as usual. Thanks for the ride along.

[@dsdragoon]

I thought you had gotten under those lines until you said you didn't. It looks like another successful pond repair job.

[@leol1682]

That was a very good job you done Chris love it .

[@GHuber-xh5vv]

That was a real change from digging out all the stumps in the earlier vids. Nice project.

[@onenuttybuddy]

Chris, is that yellow box behind the base of split tree your transit storage box? Maybe it's the box that holds one of your tripods? I was just waiting for that box to roll down the hill and into the lake. I'm glad you moved it, whatever it was for. Love the Hydro Digger. I saw it several months ago when you were working along that road and had to find another buried powerline? Great tool! There is nothing like having a neighbor that works for the cable company except when you have a neighbor that is retired from Duke Energy after 40 years of service. Funny thing, so far, our power outages never seem to last too long. 😁 Neighbors worth their weight in gold!!

[@rondastump8930]

Why hand dig when this saves time and is so much safer!!! Luv this new procedure. As always, experienced operator finishes another professional project. God's blessings to u and stay safe Chris.

[@deirdrehickey2183]

I’ll have to show this to my son. Mega impressed.❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@chrislaarman7532]

1) Craftsmanship, despite breaking that one power line! 2) You and your bucket-building partner might think of a "bucket add-on" for the thumb. It would create a basic grapple, and it would be productive (I think) in tasks like this "covering the pipe from below". I'm thinking of a simply to click-on bucket. However, you (Chris or that partner) might get inspired, and design a quick-coupler thumb that could accept an adjusted thumb (obviously) and other add-ons. Maybe a hydraulic winch (if there should be hydraulic lines to spare) as an optional upgrade to the hook on the back of the normal bucket. (I suggested other bucket matters to DirtPerfect, in relation to the machine guidance of "his" Hyundai 210.)

[@manifold1476]

say Whuh, bro-?

[@pinwizz69]

Dang, 18 minutes and already 532 likes. Proof how awesomely popular Chris's vids are. I've been waiting all day for one to pop up. I switched over from a one of my favorite old shows I was watching on freeve app. I can always go back a continue watching it. A Chris pond repair is more interesting.

[@tjjewell4115]

Very nice job Chris, you are an amazing Excavator Operator! Thanks for sharing.

[@HughzieTube]

Was the little dredging job for the neighbour in exchange for cable repairs? We had a plaster working on our house who's next job was to go and do free skim for a plumber who came out and repaired a central heating pipe he drove a screw through. Handy contacts to have in your book of ''F'ed it!''

[@chaunceypullman3380]

See, that's why I believe in old school overhead wiring. You can dig wherever you want n not be worried about buried anything.

[@jrhendershot1936]

Great video thanks for sharing your day that small sure sounds good it looks to be so handy on small jobs like you sure do good work fast

[@richdillon2157]

Hey Chris, Not that line isn't important to you. Shit Happens... I know your upset about it, But sometimes you just can't help it. I worked on a Project here in Ocala FL. SR 200 when they first widen it and had a Pan operator cut a Fiber Optic line, One of those big lines about 5 inches around. I don't remember how many lines were in it, I just remember it cut off 911 service for all of SR 200 to the county line which is about 8 miles from that location. And if I remember correctly it cost the Contractor $3500 per little Fiber Optic line. Oh the line had never been located by Miss Utility/811 so he had no idea it was even there. Enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing.

[@chucksinger1916]

Whew it made me a little nervous for you digging around those lines ! LOL You did it like a boss as usual Chris!👍🇺🇸

[@erikcourtney1834]

That was a lot of lines to run in a pond damn. I’d say that pond has been there for a while. That was a pretty nice little bobcat tractor he had. I love a white machine when they’re clean.

[@cullen9017]

Love showing up to a job and it looks like the paint truck tipped over there haha, and you have to go below it all and still manage to save everything.. then go out in the middle of nowhere and rip out a phone line or something stupid haha

[@bige9055]

Chris is this the Pond you did The behind the scenes, & what goes into doing a estimate on how to bid a job?

[@hartstudebakerkid]

The first trick is finding a locator that is any good. I have had some out to jobs that were worthless and others that could tell you the depth to within a couple inches. If you can not find a hydro excavator on a job where water is available you can use a gas powered trash pump to hydraulic the trench yourself till you find what is buried.

[@larryconley9438]

Chris you seem always to get the most difficult jobs , that because you have the ost experience, great job greater vido

[@The_HillPeople]

Spent 15 years running a vacuum truck for Burbank City tho we were cleaning sewers, storm drains and wetwells as opposed to excavation.

[@forky-reviews-and-rants]

Just to think Chris that lad watching you just might go back home and think " I know what I wanna do when I grow up" and 10yrs later he rocks up at your door let me work for you....

[@lorindahall131]

That's my son. He has been fascinated with excavators since he knew what one was. He had me wake him up when I heard the machine start. He didn't want to come back for breakfast!

[@propergander1162]

After reading many comments here .... All utilities should be in the ground at 1 metre or deeper and either stoned up with gravel shingle or sand and warning tape above that pre backfill .

[@Fredrikhalvorsen92]

I work as an operator on an excavator. If I have to dig near power cables, do I have to have another person with me who stands and makes sure that the power cable is not dug up? We do them in Norway to be on the safe side.

[@garymurt9112]

Back filling pound banks like this is where the tilt rotate head are made for.

[@misty4782]

Well, ain't that hydro excavating the slickest thing?! Ain't even heard of such a technique. huh!!! Such a good thing to learn something new every day. God bless.

[@HugoDenbyMann]

Seen them in urban busy areas where there can a huge number of pipes /cables just in a small dig!

[@misty4782]

@@HugoDenbyMann aha! It's just the thing for those situations. Bless the person who invented it, right?!

[@exotictones1054]

What a tedious job.i hate working around several wires.i have to go off where mis dig marks them n that can be 15 to 18"off.

[@mischef18]

Video made for great viewing bro even the cable fix. Right handy having him so close by. Safe travels

[@BobCaseyAerial]

Well Done Chris, a lot of Finesse had to into this Job. Convenient the neighbor worked for the cable company.

[@francesstratton695]

Wow Chris your skills are awesome!! Never a dull video. Thanks 👍👍😎🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@cwbean3087]

Be safe digging around those electrical cable's! Didn't see any buried cable tape around them,...WHY? Good video's and good job!

[@williambryant5946]

No tape because it was probably put in before that was a requirement to have. Could also be it's not required in his area. I've never dug up a power line or any utility for that matter that had tape above it marking it and I'm only an hour west of Chris.

[@garymurt9112]

Marking with tape is rather new compared to how long they have been buried cables.

[@derrick9635]

Even the greats need grounding chris 😂 Great neighbour.

[@andylarner3531]

Awesome job I’m with you minimum spade work

[@michaelmcclure8673]

Chris was that a swamper in training at 26:20 ? And that looked like a new bobcat tractor somebody has. 🤔 Nice work as usual from your job's. 👌🏻

[@arthurjennings5202]

The camera does not give a correct perspective of Chris working an excavator on a slope that he could barely stand or climb on, and he had to fill in the trench to be even able to get the excavator out of the hole. Not to mention having to swing the boom in a closet of trees. Wow!!!

[@johnypitman2368]

that fully articulated bucket is the way to go!

[@kylerayk]

Great video! Love watching you work.

[@sylviaprudhomme5417]

Always watch each bucket love those big metal fingers. Great job

[@merlepatterson]

Cable and phone splicing tools and supplies are fairly cheap (fiber is a bit more challenging) but it isn't too difficult of a job to fix cable and phone lines permanently for direct burial with the right supplies and sealing compounds. A few KZbin videos will show you how to do it. I've done quite a bit of fiber termination and splices so I recommend calling in the pros for that, but phone and cable is relatively straightforward. Would save you money and get the customers back up without needing to make phone calls and waiting for techs to come out.

[@dennis2376]

But if he did it and not the pros it would come back a bite him. 🤔

[@jeffclark3558]

It’s hell digging with a square point!!😂😂😂😂. Use what ya brung!!

[@grumpyg9350]

Even when there’s drama, it’s not really drama. Great job! Fun to watch👍👍👏🏻👏🏻

[@RumMonkeyable]

Right equipment and tools and operator skills ALWAYS make for a successful project. Question: Are hydro trucks commonly available?

[@LatitudeSky]

Yes. They are like mosquitoes after a summer rain in my area. Everybody uses them because it is cheaper than guessing and going through a line. These days, fiber and cables are everywhere and locating is not always exact. Vac trucks are cheap and fast and clean on site.

[@RumMonkeyable]

@@LatitudeSky Thanks for your response. Learned something new today. 👍😊

[@stanleymartin1613]

Wow what a tight area to work in. 😳 and as always another fine job.

[@ianrobertson2282]

In Australia electrical cables must be buried 600mm (2 ft) below the surface and then covered with warning tape to alert diggers as to the presence of the cable. Telecom cables are 400mm deep.

[@timgriffiths2429]

That power line isolated Chris? If not could be a nice pop/sizzle exposing it without bonding equipment...

[@rereg543]

Damn I need a mini that cuts trees up for me like that

[@priestley749]

You are like a surgeon with that excavator.

[@58unclesam]

As my old pops used to say that dirt looks dryer than a popcorn fart🤣

[@everestyeti]

I need one of those suction machines, have absolutely no use for it and no where to park it, but I need one. Oh and that Yanmar as well, saw it in action in a previous film it looked the part then. Like the suction machine I have absolutely no use for that either, but I need it. 😂🤣😂

[@AdirondackCampingAdventures]

Never understood why people go with direct burial over conduit. I always install everything in conduit. Well worth having that extra protection.

[@louisroman7134]

Thanks for sharing.

[@tonyjones678]

"Geeeez Louise" Chris,!!!! you dodged a bullet there with a neighbour that just happened to be a " Cable Guy". What are the odds of that!! Good on ya. Cheers....

[@jefferymitchell9574]

Glad to see that you didn't let the smoke or the Arcy Sparkies out of the power line. Definitely a stressful job.

[@jefferymitchell9574]

With that cable line you are lucky it was underground at all.

[@TheBlueberry606]

I have missed my favorite show because of lung cancer. Oh my goodness there's alot to catch up to. I best bet started while I'm able 😊

[@blackjackuk79]

Wowza Chris go steady now 21:00 hands on. Love the vid so far.

[@mcmullen7143]

Chris. Are you allowed to spray the cables with a fluorescent dye or paint so they strand out visually?