TractorByNet.com - View Single Post - Need to dig a 5x5x6-foot hole

Phils · 03-29-2007, 08:40 PM

Isn't this the time to apply the money you'd spend on renting a backhoe to help pay for the mini-hoe attachment for your PT?

In my "Rock-B-Gone" thread, my second set of photos show a hole I dug that's 5' deep, and I had to dig a little bit of ramp to get down that far. I could've gone 6' with a foot lower ramp and that'd only be 2' of support if I were to fill the hole with concrete. Your PT may be able to dig deeper than a 422 with the hoe?

Renting a backhoe will make the nicest hole and do it in the quickest time. Around here they are $200/day + transportation ($60) if you don't have a capable trailer and live too far to bobtail. That's about a quarter of the price of the 422 mini-hoe less shipping.

I tried digging with my grapple bucket, like your question. Did a horrible job even tho the ground was relatively soft and rockless. Ended up using the hoe to break up for the ramp, then scooped it all out with the LMB. Then dug and scooped the hole with the hoe.

This was the first time I'd tried digging with the grapple bucket. Maybe it was my technique, but I don't think I'll try it again. I expected it to work better than it did.

[on edit] THIS was ANOTHER time I wished I'd ordered the 12" bucket for the hoe along with the 9" that came with it. I didn't know it was available at the time I made my PT orders.

Phil

03-29-2007, 08:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Phils Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cherokee, CA Posts: 650	Re: Need to dig a 5x5x6-foot hole - can I do it with the grapple bucket? Isn't this the time to apply the money you'd spend on renting a backhoe to help pay for the mini-hoe attachment for your PT? In my "Rock-B-Gone" thread, my second set of photos show a hole I dug that's 5' deep, and I had to dig a little bit of ramp to get down that far. I could've gone 6' with a foot lower ramp and that'd only be 2' of support if I were to fill the hole with concrete. Your PT may be able to dig deeper than a 422 with the hoe? Renting a backhoe will make the nicest hole and do it in the quickest time. Around here they are $200/day + transportation ($60) if you don't have a capable trailer and live too far to bobtail. That's about a quarter of the price of the 422 mini-hoe less shipping. I tried digging with my grapple bucket, like your question. Did a horrible job even tho the ground was relatively soft and rockless. Ended up using the hoe to break up for the ramp, then scooped it all out with the LMB. Then dug and scooped the hole with the hoe. This was the first time I'd tried digging with the grapple bucket. Maybe it was my technique, but I don't think I'll try it again. I expected it to work better than it did. [on edit] THIS was ANOTHER time I wished I'd ordered the 12" bucket for the hoe along with the 9" that came with it. I didn't know it was available at the time I made my PT orders. Phil