[backyardgardener]

So at the moment I am trying to dig a trench though chalk soil for a retaining wall. The amount of digging needed is the length of 40 feet long, 1ft wide and 3ft deep.

Doing this with a standard shovel & mining pick is extremely hard work.

Are there any alternatives other than hiring a excavator?

[Casey76]

That sounds like a long hard slog... I'd be hiring a mini digger for a day or two!