Digging a trench for cabling

Lemoncurd

We need to dig a 45cm deep trench (approx 15-20feet long) across the garden for laying a cable.
What are the options for making this job easier?

My husband was going to have a go at digging by hand but I imagine this would take ages and the ground would be pretty heavily compacted so it would be a lot of hard work. HSS has a Trenching tool which is a petrol driven push along tool which can go up to 60 cm deep. This would cost £155 + VAT for a day which seems quite a lot for a relatively short trench.

Are there any other options either for making digging "by hand" easier or other equipment which might cost a bit less?

YorkshireBoy

My suggestion is one I've used personally before.

I'd get 4 of my mates (with partners) round one Saturday morning. Girls have a gas about girls things while the blokes dig the trench - only have to dig a yard-and-a-half each. Meanwhile, in between gassing, girls prepare lunch (BBQ?). Blokes get showered off, join the party, and drink the copious amounts of free alcohol you have provided.

Should only cost £30-40 - job done!

Ted_Hutchinson

Round this area a days mini-digger hire is around £50 so I'd search online or through yellow pages for someone a bit cheaper.
These small diggers are quite easy to use, but do check there are not going to be any water or electric pipes, cables in the way.

boogiemaster

I would be very careful not to hit any pipes or cables with a mini digger.
It can cost up to £2000 to have the damage repaired.
You will need to hire a trenching bucket to do the job, also note that when soil is removed it always doubles up because the soil is compacted.

I know about this because my dad drives plant machinery and I have a £20000 Volvo mini digger in my garage and four buckets.
They are easy to learn to drive and are a lot of fun; they also do a job in no time.
Just be very careful and good luck.