Propane Trench Diggers?
 

I just had a 500 gallon propane tank placed in my back yard and now need to dig about a 100' pipe trench from tank to house, but I've having trouble finding someone to do it. I've spoken to two companies but neither seemed that interested, as if it's too small a job to commit to during the summer (when they apparently have bigger fish to fry?). Any suggestions for someone who'd be happy to do this type of work would be greatly appreciated!

Maybe rent a trench digger and do it yourself?

Unlike water pipes,propane lines don't need to be very deep.Shouldn't take long if you can rent a ditch witch.

Odd.
 

Who ever delivered the tank should have done the connection. Any plumber who is a licensed gas installer should be able to help you.

Some towns have rulings against installing 500 lbs tanks in residential areas. In Gilmanton you can't have a 100 lbs tank but you can install two 50 lbs. And they have to be above ground. I would check the local codes.

Just to follow up with what BH is saying all the towns I have worked in the trench needs to be 18" deep and you need to back fill with clean sand.Most people use a mini excavator to do the job.What town are you in?

My Answers (in UPPERCASE)
 

BroadHopper wrote: ODD.."Who ever delivered the tank should have done the connection."

FRED FULLER ALREADY DELIVERED AND SET UP THE 500 GALLON PROPANE TANK, AND THEY WILL DO THE CONNECTION BUT THEY WILL NOT DIG THE TRENCH.

Winnisquamguy asked: "What town are you in?"

GILFORD

Thanks everyone for the quick suggestions and responses. I've looked into renting a trench digger from Taylor rental, but am also concerned I might run into some ledge that would need blasting.

Why don't you dig the trench and if you need to reoute the trench because of a ledge, move the tank! Cheaper and quieter than blasting a ledge!

I’m doing the same here in M'boro, the work hasn’t started yet. I just met with:

Jerry's Backhoe Service 603-677-2352 Center Harbor

David, Donnelly, Donnelly & Son Excavation in Center Tuftonboro.
569-8006 office, 651 8442 cell

Both great guys, on the north side of the lake.

Worth a call, I’m not digging that ditch by hand :-)

I found their names on this forum, they’re recommended by others here.

Yes. They most/all will do this - for a fee.
I had Amerigas do mine many years ago. Two men with shovels.

The homeowner can dig the trench if capable. Just use the correct pipe - I think it is yellow now. Do check with the gas company.

But if you have a lot of roots/rocks might take some effort. But none has to be in a straight line.

Normally the gas company does all and the hook up.

What is name of gas company that just dropped off a tank and left you stranded?

Dig Safe
 

Do yourself a favor and call "Dig Safe" before digging this trench yourself. They will come out to your house for free and ensure where you are digging has no utility lines or pipes.

Good luck with your project!

Dan

You may need a dump truck to haul away all the rocks and dirt you excavate to make way for the sand. Don't put those rocks back in the hole as they can puncture the gas line. I'd also check to make sure 18 inches is deep enough. I think you will find this will turn into a fairly big job. Good luck!

18 inches is code for electrical. Gas does not need to be that deep. Seems crazy I know, but I dont make the rules.

If you rent the ditch witch and run into a rock, go around it, gas line is flexible and does not care if it is straight.

A ditch witch makes 100 feet of ditch digging a couple hour job. Let the machine eat and hold on, it will cut through anything in your way (short of rock, but we covered that).

I echo Dan's suggestion of calling Digsafe, better safe than sorry. It is the law!

Just dial 811 from your phone. It doesn't get any easier....

www.digsafe.com

"It's smart, it's free, it's the Law!"

Something is missing in the original post.
Where did this tank come from?
Was an application provided to any propane delivery company?
These tanks are not free.
A tad more information from the original poster might be helpful.

Wednesday is half-priced rental day at www.rands.doitbest.com on Main St, Plymouth, and Rands has a big rental dept which has a ditch-witch, a skid-steer, a Toro Dingo and even a smallish-medium tractor with a backhoe..... just back up your pick-up and haul it away.....half-priced Wednesday!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2ZSHrRdtOA

You may have missed a post...
 

Original poster provided additional info in Post #6'. :)