October 2022 Digger Trial

A 5-day work party was held 24-28/10/22 to assess the effect of limited mechanisation on work party productivity. A 0.8t micro digger on hire from L M Plant Hire was used to assist with drainage improvement and path surface scraping works in the Clashdhu Cutting. Over the 5-day period, a total of 12 volunteers carried out 227 hours of work. The digger proved a great help, and it was decided that such equipment should be used whenever possible on future work parties.

Day 1

• Six volunteers completed 46.5 hours of work.
• Cleared vegetation from spoil dumping site agreed with the landowner.
• Cleared vegetation and loose material from rock face on west side of cutting.
• Loaded 20 metres of accumulated debris from base of rock face into tipping trailers.
• Tipped spoil at dumping site.

Day 2

• Six volunteers completed 43.5 hours of work.
• Loaded 25 metres of accumulated debris from base of rock face into tipping trailers.
• Tipped spoil at dumping site.
• Uncovered north end of serviceable drainage pipe.
• Created shallow ditch from pipe end to north end of rock cutting.

Day 3

• Four volunteers completed 31.5 hours of work.
• Reinstated 140 metres of open ditch between existing ditch and north end of rock cutting.
• Scraped mud from 25 metres of path surface, loaded scrape spoil and 25 metres of ditch spoil into tipping trailer.
• Tipped spoil at dumping site.
• Rodded drainage pipe in rock cutting from north end as far as possible; located blockage.

Day 4

• Eight volunteers completed 56.5 hours of work.
• Cleared debris from open ditch at south end of rock cutting.
• Uncovered south end of serviceable drainage pipe.
• Rodded drainage pipe in rock cutting from south end as far as possible; located blockage.
• Removed accumulated debris from areas where pipe blocked, investigated, and cleared blockages. Water now flowing freely through pipe.
• Scraped mud from 80 metres of path surface, loaded scrape spoil and 80 metres of ditch spoil into tipping trailers.
• Tipped spoil at dumping site.

Day 5

• Seven volunteers completed 49 hours of work.
• Investigated source of water seeping from earth bank on east side of cutting; water seeping from saturated bank due to ineffective interceptor ditch at head of bank.
• Cut 10 metre strip into bank to investigate presence of drainage pipe; serviceable pipe found. Shallow ditch formed above pipe to channel water seeping from bank into pipe.
• Flattened and tidied spoil dumping site.
• Cleaned and returned digger.

Additional unplanned work:

• None.

Other points to note:

• No injuries or near misses were reported.
• Additional removal of accumulated debris required at this location to facilitate further drainage improvement.
• Use of a digger for the heavy lifting is a definite bonus.