Backhoe Backhoe nirvana!

[cowboydoc]

Those backhoes are sure nice Pete. I enjoy the heck out of mine. You don't realize how much you use one until you actually have it. They are definitely worth the money in my opinion.

[Boondox]

I've heard the term "French Drain" several times. What exactly is it?

Pete

[Boondox]

Hey, that would be a blast! We always have coffee here. Besides, after we met at Friendly's that day my wife is sure there's something wrong with four guys who would drive an hour just to meet because they have tractors. It would be nice to let her see that you don't have extra limbs. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

Best of all, I would have three fellows to supervise (and maybe help) as I removed and remounted the hoe for the first time. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

Pete

[EdKing]

To my understanding (I could be wrong about the terminology) it is a ditch with a perforated pipe, gravel around the pipe, then covered with dirt to level ground. Lets the water drain below the surface, keeping the area dry on top.

[Gary_in_Indiana]

That's what I always thought, Ed, but with one addition. I thought the perforated pipe was then routed to a larger drain pit. The only one I ever helped install had a pit at the drain end of the pipe into which we put a large plastic garbage can with a hole in the side for the pipe to enter. Make sure the entry point fo the pipe is at least a yard above the bottom of your pit. We had large stone in the can with a few smaller holes around the sides. We put medium stone around the can, put the lid on it and filled to grade just like above the pipe. At least we called it a 'French drain,' but we could have been wrong.

[hayden]

I've built what Ed described and I've always refered to them as French Drains too, but I don't know why or the origin of the term. The ones I've been involved with always drain directly into a stream as opposed to a dry well, but the dry well sounds like a good idea when a stream is not available.

I suspect the French Drain name police will stay at bay regardless of how you build it.

[EdKing]

<font color=blue>I thought the perforated pipe was then routed to a larger drain pit. </font color=blue>

As I have several creeks running through my place, it is easier just to run them to the creek.

[Buck]

Boondox,

Look forward to the pics! Congratulations!

Buck

[Carl_NH]

I suspect the French Drain name police will stay at bay

Peter, if you live close to Quebec, this might be a problem.. Since the Quebec govt want primary signs in French, and smaller in English (subtext) so to speak.

Carl

[Carl_NH]

Pete,

Sure glad Clementine came thru the operation OK, now just have some fun and enjoy the new attachment.

Early on my eye's were bigger than my stomach, e.g. tackling stuff, tho in time and the right approach the BH is the best tool in the barn.

Carl