how i filled my ditch -- and exhausted myself --

[Unregistered2013]

so, it started out simple --



-- the builder originally left a ditch traversing the back lot, which everyone fell in when going to the pond, and which killed my in the winter when running with the pups through the snow.



so first, the ditch-witch was rented --



-- and it got stuck and stuck and stuck.



so, we hooked the tractor up to "help" it, and she worked like a charm --

and --

here's the tractor hook-up -- absolutely critical --

then, the stone went in the bottom -- around 3 ton overall --

then the perforated pipe, wrapped with a sock --



-- i chose the flexi-pipe instead of rigid PVC since the original run wasn't straight, and we weren't going that deep, and i was concerned too that the grade was very gradual -- and didn't want any flat-spots -- and wanted the pipe to drain in to the surrounding areas through the slits and sock --

about a 150' run overall - :|

then came stone on top of the pipe, 5 yards of clay, and 10 yards of topsoil --



-- but that wasn't right still -- i have my garage going up soon, so figured i'd scavenge the topsoil from it --



-- and topsoil cutters SUCK -- !!


thus again, the kubota --

and again -

what that gave me was nice, roll-able THICK sod --

a little bit goes a long way -- !!

and then, the absolute bull-work -- moving the rolls and unrolling them -- they had about 1-2" of topsoil below --

and the final product --

hope you enjoyed it -- not work i plan on dong for some while again -- !! also, i capped the inlet -- this is mostly for the aerobic septic exhaust -- that's all --



-- no more ditch!

 

[JDeerekid]

wow that is quite a job. How long did it actually take you? Why replace sod and not just replant? Just wondering. Looks good now instead of waiting for grass to grow.
Where abouts are you located? I am in Pulaski.

 

[ToadHill]

Eric: looks like you didn't get much seat time on this job.

 

[Gizmo2]

I love those Six-Wheel Drive Ditch-Witches.
Nice job!

 

[Unregistered2013]

wow that is quite a job. How long did it actually take you? Why replace sod and not just replant? Just wondering. Looks good now instead of waiting for grass to grow.
Where abouts are you located? I am in Pulaski.

this took a while -- like two weekends --

of course nothing goes as quickly as you'd like it to, and the ditch-witch is a very awkward machine --

-- also, i have dogs that cross that ditch each and every day, so that's why we didn't re-plant -- the sod is a godsend ---

i'm in east aurora -- south of buffalo -- you're north of syracuse, right??

 

[Unregistered2013]

Eric: looks like you didn't get much seat time on this job.

hahaha -- i got seat time o' plenty --

my kubota hit 1000 hours -- time for her service -- i'm gonna do it right --

I love those Six-Wheel Drive Ditch-Witches.
Nice job!

they should only rent the witch in combo with the tractor -- that is an impossible machine to use otherwise -- !!

 

[schmism]

i rented a simular 2 wheel ditchwich. when i picked it up and looked at the back, and wondered why the 2 round holes in the 1/4" plate frame were all oblong pulled out of round by nearly an inch.

my wonder didnt last long when i plunged down the chain, and started backward moving at .005 mph while the tires spun in the wet dirt. So i think to myself... ok were can i hook up to this thing to pull it, and as i look down at the back of the machine it allllllllllll makes sence now.

had mine hooked up to the tractor also. only way to use one of those things.

 

[JDeerekid]

this took a while -- like two weekends --

of course nothing goes as quickly as you'd like it to, and the ditch-witch is a very awkward machine --

-- also, i have dogs that cross that ditch each and every day, so that's why we didn't re-plant -- the sod is a godsend ---

i'm in east aurora -- south of buffalo -- you're north of syracuse, right??

Thats not a long time I still have projects that I have been working on for years.

The sod is a good idea for the dogs. i have a puppy that just turned 3 and I cant let her out while I am in the garden because she wants to follow me everywhere and with all the rain we have got I have to wear weighters just to get walk through it. She has to get hosed off everytime she comes back in the house.

Yes I am about 30 minutes north of syracuse. It just amazes me what most people call upstate ny (anything north of that big city on an island that should be its own state)

 

[mjncad]

Those walk behind trenchers are a royal PITA. We used one at my Mom's house for a sprinkler system a few years back. Since her lot is 60' x 100', a rider was out of the question. When we got done trenching, my brother-in-law who did most of the work, said "never again" using a trencher.