How do you compact the base of a 7' deep hole for aluminum light pole?

[sparky1591]

We are tasked to put 32 feet aluminum pole total with 25 ft above, 7 ft will be below grade and will be encased in concrete. After digging the 36 inches in diameter and 7 ft deep using an auger, the base soil look really loose. How do we go about compacting the bottom of hole? I doubt any equipment (wacky packer, vibratory sled) would fit in there. I was thinking of using a hand tamper, tying a rope at the top of the handle then drop it in the hole and start compacting it that way. I don't know if that is enough though. Any recommendation?

 

[MasonF]

Ive put an LB on a 10’ stick of conduit before in that situation.

 

[Eddie702]

What about putting water in the hole?

 

[infinity]

I would think the the weight of 7' of concrete would be enough to compress whatever loose material is in the bottom of the hole. Otherwise a heavy kettlebell on a rope dropped repeatedly into the hole would do it.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

The utilities have small round hydraulic compactors for this purpose.

 

[Hv&Lv]

The utilities have small round hydraulic compactors for this purpose. View attachment 2577607

About a dozen..

 

[Hv&Lv]

You can buy a manual pole tamp with an 8' handle like we have, but your not in the business of needing one a lot.

Get a piece of metal, say 3/8" or 1/2" thick and weld a handle on it.

 

[hbiss]

Take a 12" concrete block, tie an 8' length of rope through it so the flat side is down. Tie the other end around the center of a length of 2x4, maybe 4 foot long. Then you and a helper on each end of the 2x4 lower the block down into the hole and bounce it all around the bottom.

-Hal