Digging out a garden

[Lopéz]

I have a raised garden to dig out. The area I want to clear is approximately 16 x 12 (feet) and about a foot deep.

I have somebody who wants the soil to level their garden, so that's being taken away for me.

How much work do we reckon the above would be with a mini digger or similar device? Access is no problem, there's a driveway in front of the area to be dug and the existing shed is going.

I thought about doing it by hand but I can see that taking forever.

 

[loltim]

Just get mate/dad round to help. I wouldn't hire a digger for that.

 

[4T5]

Getting a mini digger in to do that little patch would be good fun but very Gay.
My biggest solo dig involved removing 16 skip loads of soil to construct a big carp pool, The Professor I did it for reckons it was the biggest project undertaken with a Man & Shovel since the Ashby Canal was dug.

Get stuck in yourself it's an afternoons graft & a very good excuse for Beer.

 

[Nightglow]

Mini digger for that small area.

Youngsters today, no stamia, a mornings work with a spade.

I filled four roll on skips, just digging out garden with shovel, spade & a barrow.

 

[Maccapacca]

Buy a good spade and a trowel for cleaning the spade then dig away. After lunch what you do is up to you.

 

[greywolf]

Spade that no problem in a morning.

But depends how cheap you can get the digger and how quick you work with it. A 1.5ton would have that done in literally no time. Will spend more time waiting for the guy to empty the barrow than you will digging.

If you do hire look out for extra charges, usually cleaning and fuel go on top. A ditching bucket or 60cm one would be fine.

 

[Black Dynamite]

Man up and get your shovel out

It'll be hard work but the satisfaction you get afterwards is great, there aren't many things better than digging a big hole!

 

[nst68]

What kind of soil is it?
If it's a raised bed then it should be easy to do with a shovel, but if it's clay get the biggest machine you can!

 

[R.O.S.S.I]

Piece of **** that. Helped my Mum dig up 11x9ft one day last week ready for some MOT's to go down. Didn't take long at all to do the digging. Longest bit was me hacking away a big tree stump that was in the way.

 

[iamtheoneneo]

Even if it is clay you can still man tool it, that is if you are a man?
A digger for that is pretty dire.

 

[bitslice]

I've always wanted to play with a mini digger

 

[Mark A]

Get a pickaxe and it'll be a lot easier. With a couple of mates helping it'll be done in no time.

 

[nst68]

Even if it is clay you can still man tool it, that is if you are a man?
A digger for that is pretty dire.

When it comes to compacted clay soil, I've got no problems using a digger wearing a dress!

 

[Lopéz]

I've always wanted to play with a mini digger

I think I'm just looking for an excuse to use one

 

[ndaar]

LOL yeah mini digger seems over kill but go for it

 

[Lopéz]

Just done half an hour digging to see what the soil is like. Topsoil about 2" down. The rest is stones. Screw doing that by hand.

 

[Caged]

Can you not pay a navvy to do it for you? Not as fun as a digger to be fair.

 

[R.O.S.S.I]

Just done half an hour digging to see what the soil is like. Topsoil about 2" down. The rest is stones. Screw doing that by hand.

Convenient excuse for a lazy boy!

 

[Nightglow]

Just done half an hour digging to see what the soil is like. Topsoil about 2" down. The rest is stones. Screw doing that by hand.

They have invented a tool for removing & breaking up stoney soil, a PICKAXE.
Sadly though not many know how to use this tool today.

 

[pitchfork]

Mini digger? Bloody pansy.

Nice sharp tipped shovel, pickaxe and a wheelbarrow.

Judging by your demeanor I'd invest in gloves, wouldn't want to ruin your nice soft hands now would we.