My dam project started today.

[KubotaToy]

My pond has been leaking under the dam for several years. After getting a $22K estimate from a pond re-builder, I started collecting equipment to do it myself, finally found a dump truck last week to haul the mud/silt. Started cutting it today but did not reach the water level since the pond is only half full but will tomorrow. Should be fun project. At least I can use the excavator for something other than digging holes for my wife's roses

Picture of my excavator on the dam and all the trees I cleared off the back of the dam.

 

[mddorange]

Nice equipment... what kind of work do you do? How old is that Cat? If you hadn't already had the equipment, it would have cost that much or more to have rented it.

 

[EddieWalker]

You sure have a big excavator!!! How do you like that Link Belt? does it have the Isuzu engine?

 

[KubotaToy]

Nice equipment... what kind of work do you do? How old is that Cat? If you hadn't already had the equipment, it would have cost that much or more to have rented it.

All my equipment is for fun, spend my days trapped in the office, so the afternoons and weekends I play in the sandbox as my wife puts it. I have been collecting equipment since I graduated high school. My grandfather gave me a new JD skidsteer for a graduation present, I have been hooked ever since. The 933 is about 20 years old but has many hours left on it but I will need tracks after the pond cleanout.

This is my 933 buddy, as soon as I crank it, he will come running and jump in the seat.

 

[KubotaToy]

You sure have a big excavator!!! How do you like that Link Belt? does it have the Isuzu engine?

Eddie, I read you whole Oscar thread when I first joined, took a while but I enjoyed it.

When I starting shopping I wanted the biggest excavator I could buy locally since I wanted to use it to clear about 5 acres of very large pines, maples and populars and then work on my pond and dig another later. It is probably overkill but it sure makes taking down a 40" pine a breeze.

I have only had the 330 for 6 months, and it does have the Isuzu motor with about 8K hours. Link Belt seems to make a good machine, my only gripe so far is parts (and I wish I installed a hydraulic thumb), nearest dealer is 120 miles away and ordering via phone is way more painful than it should be. I have received at least one wrong part every time I have ordered (they put the wrong part number in the box). If I have any major problems I will wish I had bought a Cat. Attached is a better picture.

 

[mddorange]

All my equipment is for fun, spend my days trapped in the office, so the afternoons and weekends I play in the sandbox as my wife puts it. I have been collecting equipment since I graduated high school. My grandfather gave me a new JD skidsteer for a graduation present, I have been hooked ever since. The 933 is about 20 years old but has many hours left on it but I will need tracks after the pond cleanout.

This is my 933 buddy, as soon as I crank it, he will come running and jump in the seat.

Lucky you to have ALL the fun. I guess that you are getting these used but like you said still many hours left. When I was in college at Bradley University in the 60's I worked at Cat nights to pay the bills. I found out first hand just how durable those tractors were. Nice to have such a good buddy with you and he can't mistake the sound of that engine.

 

[wngsprd]

Good luck with your project. What kind of goat is your buddy?

 

[KubotaToy]

Good luck with your project. What kind of goat is your buddy?

My wife has a herd of Lamancha's (dairy goats). I get the boys at two months to raise until they are old enough to breed and sell them. The goat in the picture was a triplet and I bottle fed him, he does not know I am not a goat.

 

[MacLawn]

Kub, was the dam (****) leak caused by tree roots? I've heard that trees should not be allowed to grow on dams.

 

[KubotaToy]

Kub, was the dam (****) leak caused by tree roots? I've heard that trees should not be allowed to grow on dams.

Yes, I had a 100' tulip popular growing for 40 years at the base of overflow. Previous owner planted it and not maintained the pond for about that long and it had uprooted the drain with several 12" roots running all the way thru the dam. I will need to rebuilt the dam from the keyway up. Attached is a picture after I pushed it over with the excavator and the pond. I have dug almost to the pond with my track loader hitting roots all the way, but I should be at to drain the pond the rest of the way in a week or so.