I don't dig ok?
Yes i've a shovel , as well as a <gasp> broom on board ...
No it was not a part of my apprenticeship...
Yes, i do know how they 'operate'.....have read the manual, thanks.

I like to tell the digger where and how to dig, i have the ph #'s to a few diggers that can take instruction and do this.
It is far more economical* for a digger to be called in for a few hours than for my old A** to swing a shovel all day long, as i move slower as the day goes on, machines do not.
Diggers also rake, seed, etc, sorry, i do not have lawn maintenance toolage on board...

*speaka de tounge?

>Prima~ no digga~ donna sparky

I agree, not to be involved with trenching and back filling. Most of the time we had the customer reponsible for that. Gave them references. If they didn't use them, we told them they can do it themselves, or we would charge an absorbanant amount to discourage them.

i will dig-it.... extra ,extra charge.

whenever I tell them how much I'll charge for digging they find their own diggers.

Digging trenches for cables? Miserable work. I'll generally get my local GC in to take care of such things.

One ain't diggin' much right now in Maine, 2 feet of frost in driveways after a few single number nights. The shovel makes a ringing noise when digging is attempted