Kubota BX24 Digging Project

[phorst@rfmd.com]

I am working on my first project with my new Kubota BX24 Backhoe. I am digging a trench about 18 inches deep for a sprinkler system in North Carolina clay. I have hit some kind of super clay and I am having a devil of a time getting through it. I can only scrape off a small layer with each pass. I was wondering of any of you seasoned backhoe specialists could give me some advice on a better way to dig through this.

 

[310-510]

I am working on my first project with my new Kubota BX24 Backhoe. I am digging a trench about 18 inches deep for a sprinkler system in North Carolina clay. I have hit some kind of super clay and I am having a devil of a time getting through it. I can only scrape off a small layer with each pass. I was wondering of any of you seasoned backhoe specialists could give me some advice on a better way to dig through this.

phorst,
I don't have any clay but lots of rocks and very hard digging here. The Bro-Tek backhoe ripper tooth for my BX24 makes pretty short work of digging. It's the best addition for the backhoe (other than the thumb) I own.

 

[phorst@rfmd.com]

phorst,
I don't have any clay but lots of rocks and very hard digging here. The Bro-Tek backhoe ripper tooth for my BX24 makes pretty short work of digging. It's the best addition for the backhoe (other than the thumb) I own.

Thanks, carsce! I have seen that ripper and it looks interesting,... but how do you buy the darned thing? The Bro-Tek website isn't much help.

 

[310-510]

Bro-Tek: Tractor Add Ons and select contact. Richard is very good about getting back with you about prices. I did mine via paypal.

 

[phorst@rfmd.com]

Thanks, carsce.

 

[phorst@rfmd.com]

WOW, The ripper tooth is a lot more expensive than I had hoped. I'm sure it would do the job, but I just can't swing it right now (pun intended).

I was thinking of soaking the ground where I want to dig to see if that would loosen things up a bit. I am afraid that would only make the little dirt that I am able to scrape up that much heavier, though. Does anyone have any thoughts?

I love this site and the forums. I feel at home here

 

[phorst@rfmd.com]

Well, I got my trench dug! I used the same method as the boy who wanted to know how to get to Carnegie Hall,... Practice! After I got through the monster clay it was smooth sailing until I hit a monster rock. I hosed the clay/soil around the rock to wash away as much dirt as possible and soften the rest and it eventually popped out.

The trench runs across my septic system laterals and I busted the main water line to the house Friday night, so I've learned a lot from this project. The hardest part was keeping the trench to only 18 inches deep. Once I get going I somehow seem to end up at about 3 feet before I know it. I guess I still need lots of practice.

Now all I need to do is drill through or under the foundation of the house to tap into the water line and run my pipe and sprinkler heads. Then its back to the tractor to fill in the trench. Next I want to till up a section of the yard and put down something better than the winter rye the builder used. Anyone from around here that can give me some advice on grass seed? I have used Rebel IV for small patches and it works well, but it is awful expensive. I plan to broadcast spread it and then roll it in with my aerator (gotta use what I have available). Then top it off with some straw.

Any advice is welcome!

 

[ericjeeper]

LOL to the practice digging.. sounds like you might be deep enough just to push it under the footer.It just takes practice when drawing the bucket back to you.. To use the ball of the bucket directly behind the teeth to get a smooth hard bottom