We used just such a rig back in 1997 when we hit a massive seam of ledge
digging a 4' deep 260' long trench for conduit runs to the tower. My
recollection was that it cost $750 per day and the machine was rare enough
in NH that it had to be obtained from a company in MA. I don't recall if the
transportation costs were included in the $750.
We also hit ledge when digging a 6' x 3' x 4' anchor hole for another tower
back in 2006. About 1/3 of the hole bordered on a large ledge deposit. This
time, the excavator operator was able to break up the rock into boulders
with his bucket and lift them out. A little corner of ledge remained
sticking into the hole, but the rebar cage cleared it and it probably added
structural strength to the anchor.
73, Dick WC1M
-----Original Message-----
From: Mickey Baker [mailto:fishflorida@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 12:58 PM
To: Michael Goins
Cc: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower Problems
You just need the right equipment.
You can find someone with an excavator and rock hammer that will make short
work of this. The rock hammer is a hydraulic jack hammer that replaces the
bucket on the end of the excavator/backhoe. In your part of the country,
I'll be that most excavation contractors have one - you can rent one at
Sunbelt Rentals in San Antonio, but it will take you some time to use it
safely - hire a pro unless you have a lot of other holes that need digging.
This isn't inexpensive, but shouldn't break the bank, either. Contractors
have a minimum billing time for travel/setup - that will likely get the job
done if you use a local guy.
In many cases, getting a boulder out of a hole isn't an option. This device
is used to break away the parts of rock that is in your way.
My dad used dynamite for these time things when I was a youngster. That's
tough when it is near (< 500 feet!) a residence, but a lot of fun.
Mickey N4MB
On Fri, Jan 7, 2011 at 12:29 PM, Michael Goins <wmgoins@gmail.com> wrote:
> Wish that would work here. I'm nearly all solid rock. I have a hole
> started, but through rock and many days of jackhammering, which is tough
at
> 61. I have a big (as in VW sized big) rock in the hole that I am chipping
> away at, but I need someone who either can drill holes for the ends of the
> cage to drop into after cutting the bottom brace off (and then re-weld it
> back on about 10" higher), or who can help me get down about another
2-2-1/2
> feet or so.
>
> Getting really frustrated here. Haven't had a tower and decent directional
> antenna up since the 80's and really want to get this up and operational.
>
> Mike, k5wmg
> Pipe Creek, Texas
> Green cars, slow boats, big dogs, old trucks, little radios, and summers
> off to write
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 7, 2011 at 11:02 AM, Mickey Baker
<fishflorida@gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> I hired a guy with a backhoe who brought two fellows who spoke neither
>> English nor Spanish to dig my last foundation. A few hundred dollars and
3
>> hours later, I had the base rebar cage hanging in the hole and most of
the
>> dirt loaded on a dump truck headed elsewhere.
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>> Mickey N4MB
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Jan 7, 2011 at 11:40 AM, Michael Goins <wmgoins@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Yeah. Can't seem to find local help getting the get base hole done in
the
>>> rock I have here. Quad parts just sitting in the garage, waiting on the
>>> tower. Some help and one good weekend and I'd be ready for concrete.
>>>
>>> Mike, k5wmg
>>> Pipe Creek, Texas
>>> Green cars, slow boats, big dogs, old trucks, little radios, and summers
>>> off
>>> to write
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jan 6, 2011 at 8:20 PM, <flastormwatcher@aol.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > So you think you've got tower problems?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > 73 Dave KB3GYN
>>> >
>>> > _______________________________________________
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > _______________________________________________
>>> > TowerTalk mailing list
>>> > TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>> >
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Mickey Baker
>> Fort Lauderdale, FL
>> "Tell me, and I will listen. Show me, and I will understand. Involve me,
>> and I will learn." Teton Lakota, American Indian Saying.
>>
>
>
--
Mickey Baker
Fort Lauderdale, FL
"Tell me, and I will listen. Show me, and I will understand. Involve me, and
I will learn." Teton Lakota, American Indian Saying.
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