Electric Jack Hammer

Has any one had experience with the Star as sold on Amazon? I need to dig a narrow [4"] trench 15" deep through rotten clayie rock. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
CP

Pilgrim wrote:
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Not entirely clear what material your digging through from your description, but one of the ditch-which type trencher units should do the job a lot more easily. I did an 80' trench 24" deep through clay soil that was near cement hardness due to drought, and through a few odd bits of soft-ish rock that were included with a small Baretto trencher without issues.

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The material is somewhere between soft rock and hard clay. I only have about 25' to do. However, I am space confined by house, sidewalk, trees, and fences. Thanks for the reply.
CP

Pilgrim wrote:
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The Baretto unit is the size of a roto-tiller or snowblower, i.e. pretty compact. 16HP gas, hydraulic drive and whatnot. It was like $150 with tax and all to rent for a day from United Rentals.
http://wpnet.us/Power/pages/100_2921.htm

On 10/25/2012 6:46 PM, Pilgrim wrote:
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I wish I could help but I just like the term "clayie". I knew EXACTLY what you meant! Can I use the word or do you have rights?

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Have at it.
CP

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My dad has a Harbor Freight electric jack hammer. I used it to cut a trench in hard caliche. My double jack was barely scratching out a few inches at a time. The hardest part about using the jackhammer was lifting it up to make the next cut, and lifting it out of the hole so I could shovel out the loose material.
I have used it to break relatively fresh concrete as well, but I have not used it on aged concrete.
How many times do you think you will use it? I suspect my dad's has paid for itself every time one of us has used it.
The shovel blade was very useful when using it to trench.

Bob La Londe wrote:
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Really, if you can fit a small rental trencher in as seen in my other post you will be far better off. Once the digging chain is at depth you can just put a spring clamp on the drive handle and let the machine work it's way along with you periodically giving it a tug to keep on course. The machine will pile all or most of the cuttings along side the trench so little shoveling either.
http://wpnet.us/Power/pages/100_2921.htm
80' trench through rock hard mottled red/grey clay and some softer red rocks along the way. I spent most of the time sitting in the shade with a Diet Dr. Pepper watching the machine do the work.

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Yes, the little "ditch witch" is definitely the way to go for trenching. The electric jackhammer works reasonably well for breaking up concrete if it is not too thick or strong - and for punching holes through same.

snipped-for-privacy@snyder.on.ca wrote:
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80' trench?? (Eighty foot) ??
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