3-Point Hitch Two landscaping questions using my tractor

[smokey_truck]

Hi All

I have Kubota BX1860, I would like to accomplish two tasks this year.

I am new to tractors and operations and land work so please bear with me for my stupid questions

1. I want to dig 18" of trench to burry my electric cable to wire to my shed.
2. I have a lawn with grass and almost level I want to make a 8 ft drive probably concrete. I know a concrete guy will come and pour for drive way I want to level the driveway remove grass and keep it ready for the driveway. What implements I should used for these two tasks and as a side bar for drive way any extra inputs or process will help

I want to show my wife tractor is not a lawn mower

Thanks for all your input

Ganesh

 

[radioman]

You can use a subsoiler to dig a narrow trench for your wire to drop in. Make more then one pass instead of 18" deep all at once.

As for a driveway, you only want to make a 8ft extension somewhere ? You can use the FEL. Since its your first time, I suggest to take really small bites at a time. The first cut is always the trickest. in 4wd, low gear, angle bucket down 45, and make that first cut into the grass and then curl up. Once the first cut is made, generally you can use the FEL at nearly a flat level pointing a little and just curl it up as you go to undercut the turf and roll it out before you start digging. Remember, you only have a 8 ft to do so go slow and take your time becuase before long you will be having so much fun you might decide to go bigger! Once you get started, it will become so easy just to keep going, you wouldnt want to have a long driveway into middle of nowhere :laughing:.

How deep are you planning on going to remove the soil to make a good base with stones ?

 

[TripleR]

If you haven't already done so go to this site and look at the one on the sub soiler; others are very useful also.

Everything Attachments - Skid Steer Attachments, Tractor Attachments, 3 Point Hitch Attachments, Farm Tractor Implements.

As to the driveway, someone with your tractor size can help, I would do this with a box blade, but have never done this with a BX.

 

[smokey_truck]

Thanks for the quick reply and one more thing is my neighbour/buddy has a box blade and a roller as well so I have acess to them. I am thinking on 6" deep to make strong enough for the gravel stones or some foundation.

But thanks so much for answering so fast.

Ganesh

 

[smokey_truck]

If you haven't already done so go to this site and look at the one on the sub soiler; others are very useful also.

Everything Attachments - Skid Steer Attachments, Tractor Attachments, 3 Point Hitch Attachments, Farm Tractor Implements.

As to the driveway, someone with your tractor size can help, I would do this with a box blade, but have never done this with a BX.

Why I cannot use BX, you just got me down, it is only 8ft drive way, according to everyone you could do everything like a big tractor but little slow, is that not true

 

[keyman1808]

I would consult someone as to how much base to use. Around here where I live they recomend at least 4" of compacted stone with a wire mesh reinforcer then 4" concrete minimum for driveways. They say its due to frost and vehicle weights. But the bucket or box blade would work as described.

 

[keyman1808]

It will do what you want just take it slow. You have a counter weight on the rear for the loader?? Make sure or digging might be alittle hard cuz as you lift the loader the backend will want to rise up.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Hi All

I have Kubota BX1860, I would like to accomplish two tasks this year.

I am new to tractors and operations and land work so please bear with me for my stupid questions

1. I want to dig 18" of trench to burry my electric cable to wire to my shed.
2. I have a lawn with grass and almost level I want to make a 8 ft drive probably concrete. I know a concrete guy will come and pour for drive way I want to level the driveway remove grass and keep it ready for the driveway. What implements I should used for these two tasks and as a side bar for drive way any extra inputs or process will help

I want to show my wife tractor is not a lawn mower

Thanks for all your input

Ganesh

Why 18" deep for wire? If your thinking water lines at 18" that's right to prevent freezing but wires don't have to be deep. If the teeth are dropped deep on Boxblade they will dig. Remove or raise all teeth but one and dig your shallow trench unless you have to have the 18" depth. Also use the Boxblade for weight on the back when using the FEL for digging/removing the grass/dirt for drive way. 6"s will be easy with FEL. You can also drop teeth on Boxblade and drag it across where you want drive way and then scoop up loose dirt with FEL. I recommend the Boxblade as one of the first implements a person should buy for weight on rear as well as very useful. If your neighbor will let you keep it most of the time then just use his.

 

[smokey_truck]

I thought 18" is by rules for the wires, I have to check and as far as the rear weights I have filled tires with fluid and my dealer said I dont need any weights at all for lifting with my loader. Is that now true?

Ganesh

 

[/pine]

In most states 18" of cover is required to bury "UF" type wire... this is wire that does not require being in conduit...it can be burried the way it is...

I think if you install it in Schedule 40 (or higher) conduit it can be burried with much less cover but local codes should be checked...

 

[keyman1808]

Make sure you bury it deep enough so if you aerate or something loike that you wont hit it.
Even with loaded tires on a BX I would be very leery of loader work without more counter weight on the back.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I thought 18" is by rules for the wires, I have to check and as far as the rear weights I have filled tires with fluid and my dealer said I dont need any weights at all for lifting with my loader. Is that now true?

Ganesh

Need and helps are two different things. Try it without the Boxblade attached and try it with the Boxblade attached and you can dertermine if it helps. Loaded tires help. I've dug without loaded tires and without weight but it's easier/faster with more weight to give the tires traction. These little tractors will do alot but run out of traction before they run out of power. If there is potentially going to be other digging where your wires are by people other than yourself then you may want to be a "follow the rules" kind of guy. If it's where your fairly certain no one but you will ever dig there then I'd get it deep enough to not catch on a mower. There are "rules" that wires have to be encased in PVC in some areas and for sure use exterior wires whether you encase them in PVC or just bury them. I have used 3/4" or 1" black plastic water line to run wires through before which makes it easy to pull more wires thru later, a bit more safety if hit and to pull the wires back if needed. Run a string thru with the wires to pull more wires thru later if you think there is the remotest chance that you may want to run another wire of any type thru later. Run wires thru pipe before burying the pipe.

 

[TripleR]

Why I cannot use BX, you just got me down, it is only 8ft drive way, according to everyone you could do everything like a big tractor but little slow, is that not true

Certainly you can, all I am saying is that I haven't and that someone who has can give you much better advice on the best way to do it.

 

[oldnslo]

If you plan on using your FEL for more digging in the future I would also recommend a tooth bar for the FEL bucket. I have the BX1850 and last week dug down 5 1/2 to 6 feet to expose the outlet pipe from my well. Without the tooth bar I don't know if I could have accomplished this.

What type of soil do you have? Rocky, hard clay, bed rock etc.. These will all play a part in how easy or difficult it will be to go 18" deep.

Your tractor is capable, just take your time and enjoy.

Also make sure your front tire are aired up before digging, you going to be putting a lot of weight on them.

Roy

 

[smokey_truck]

I guess between box blade and FEL I should be able to dig and level. Where did you buy your tooth and how much it costs. I have 48" FEL. Thanks for your help

Ganesh

 

[two_bit_score]

Hi All

I have Kubota BX1860, I would like to accomplish two tasks this year.

I am new to tractors and operations and land work so please bear with me for my stupid questions

1. I want to dig 18" of trench to burry my electric cable to wire to my shed.
2. I have a lawn with grass and almost level I want to make a 8 ft drive probably concrete. I know a concrete guy will come and pour for drive way I want to level the driveway remove grass and keep it ready for the driveway. What implements I should used for these two tasks and as a side bar for drive way any extra inputs or process will help

I want to show my wife tractor is not a lawn mower




Thanks for all your input

Ganesh

Just one caution I have learned: Sometimes trying to "prove things" to your wife about your tractor can lead to more problems than it's worth.

Just sayin'.

 

[smokey_truck]

two_bit_score

Sorry to say but as you should already know when we make remarks about wife is just to add some fun to the question and not meant to take literally. Ofcourse I need driveway, ofcourse I need to pickup stuff,clean snow and mow grass otherwise I wont spend 13k on it.

Ganesh

 

[keyman1808]

As I remind my wife (joking around) the BH for making a 6' hole out back about 5'6" in lenth and about 3' wide, you know just about your size.

 

[CHDinCT]

I thought 18" is by rules for the wires, I have to check and as far as the rear weights I have filled tires with fluid and my dealer said I dont need any weights at all for lifting with my loader. Is that now true?

Ganesh

For heavy lifting where you're anywhere near the max capacity of your loader, you do need rear counterweight in addition to loaded tires. Loaded tires are nice and will help keep your back end planted on the ground, but a heavy counter weight situated further back behind the rear axle makes your rear axle like a fulcrum and reduces some of the load your full FEL bucket puts on your front axle. Since loaded tires add weight at or below the rear axle, they don't help much to reduce front axle loading.

 

[oldnslo]

I guess between box blade and FEL I should be able to dig and level. Where did you buy your tooth and how much it costs. I have 48" FEL. Thanks for your help

Ganesh

Do a search for tooth bars and several names will show up. I bought one from a friend who sold his skid loader.

I was considering a WR long since they have a flat bottom which makes bag dragging or leveling a little easier. I believe they are around $300 - 350

On a side note: If your Boxblade has rippers or scarifiers you could also use these to loosen the top two or three inches, remove this with FEL and repeat until you get to the depth you desire.

Roy