I'm planning to build a small patio for my fire pit this spring/summer and I'm looking to dig a hole that is about 12-15 feet wide and around 5 inches deep. I'm hoping to find a more efficient way to do this than spending an entire day digging with just a spade shovel. Are there any tools or methods that could help me shorten the digging time and labor, aside from using larger power equipment?
4 Answers
If you're looking for efficient tools, consider renting a mini excavator or a tiller. A tiller can help break up the soil, making it easier to dig. Just keep in mind if you decide on a mini excavator, you'll need to figure out how to get it into your backyard without damaging anything since it's fenced in. But a tiller should definitely help speed things up!
Have you thought about using a mattock? It’s excellent for cutting through roots and loosening the soil, which can make shoveling it out much easier in the end. It might even save you some time compared to just using a regular shovel.
Another option could be a demolition hammer with a clay spade attachment. It helps to break up the dirt, although you'll still have to do some shoveling afterward. What’s your plan for hauling away the dirt once you’ve got the hole dug?
I’m thinking I’ll just load it into a trailer and drop it off at the local landscaping place that takes dirt.
Using a rototiller could be a great option since it aerates the soil nicely. Just remember that if your ground is rocky, using a sod cutter will be rough and could damage your equipment. Also, you can paint a line on your spade at 5 inches as a handy guide for depth! You’ll still be shoveling some, but at least you won’t be doing it all by hand.
Yeah, getting a mini excavator in might be tricky! That’s why I’m leaning more towards tillers or something a bit easier to handle.