Backhoe Backhoe for pond cleaning

[Buck]

One component of my rationalization list for buying a backhoe for my JD790 is that the banks of my small pond are rather messy.

A friend of mine tells me that the best way to clean the pond banks is to hire a larger backhoe operator. Clearly, this is the superior solution. However, I don’t care, because I want a backhoe.

What I do care about, though, is that he said that the reach of a CUT backhoe is just plain ineffective for pond maintenance.

Any experience(s) you could share?

Thanks,

Buck

 

[sweettractors]

What size pond do you have? I dont think I would key a purchase like that on just 1 job. Is there any other chores that the backhoe would be used for?--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New 3 Point Backhoes for 20-60 HP Tractors*

 

[Buck]

Ken,

I wouldn't key the backhoe purchase on one job either. I hope I conveyed that idea in the phrase, "One component of my rationalization for a backhoe....".

With respect to the other question, I actually have two ponds. One is about 100'x50', the other is 70' x 70', eight foot deep...

 

[JerryG]

Buck,
Without seeing your ponds, I don't think that you be able to do very much. By the time you set the tractor in a safe place to where you wouldn't get stuck or slid in, you wouldn't have very much reach. I know that is the way it would be on my ponds. Although, I do know that ponds are constructed differently in different parts of the country and your ponds may or may not be like mine. A trackhoe seems to be the ideal piece of equipment for that type of job.

 

[Buck]

Jerry,

Thanks for the frank response. That was my fear. I must be looking for more excuse fodder for a backhoe.

Thanks!
Buck

 

[mrcaptainbob]

I think it would be the IDEAL piece of equipment and that you should get it...preferably before Christmas. And if I'm wrong about that.....well, you still have yer backhoe!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GerardC]

<font color="blue">A trackhoe seems to be the ideal piece of equipment for that type of job. </font>

I agree. G

 

[EddieWalker]

The real problem with working along the edge of a pond is getting into position and dealing with the mud.

The hoe will only go aproximately 180 degrees. You have to line up your tractor along the side of the shoreline so you can get the material away from it.

Then it will run downhill to your tractor and creats even more mud. Removing those mud piles is another thread all together, but getting unstuck is something you'll have to get real good at.

If you haven't learned to walk your tractor sideways with a hoe, you will have to learn this. If not, you'll need a dozer.

Get the backhoe anyway. It's something you'll always enjoy using and find dozens of things to use it on.

 

[Banjo]

Buck,
get the hoe anyway. I designed and built mine this year and although I haven't used it all that much (because I only finished it a few weeks ago), I'm a fan already.

I was moving dirt, digging out trees, digging out old concrete, and the like and loving every minute of it. I was surprised at the power of a small machine, for example digging out scrubby "Manitoba Maples" was so easy, and yet even the small ones were pretty much immovable "by hand". The hoe was much easier for this, than a chain on the loader ... especially for the more stubborn ones.

For the pond situation, the swing limitation could be a real issue. Also check, many smaller hoe's don't swing the whole 180°.

cheers, Andrew

PS. I'm *sure* the pond edges would be cleaned up to some extent though /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ... yea, yea, that's the ticket /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[sticky]

Check on renting an excavator for a week or pay a small owner operator to do your digging. He will do all the work in 3days. I think you should buy the piece of equipement for fun , but it will take you about a year to complete since you will always be waiting for thing to dry out before you can continue and yout reach is about 1/3 of 27 feet and 15 feet down. I have considered your options for a while on my pond.

 

[plaindave]

Your best bet is to hire the job out. I worked for CAT and have a fair amount of time in different pieces of equipment. While I'm the first to admit it's fun to play on the big toys, it's not cheap, and the cost of delivery and pickup of equipment will easily pay for the operator.

Get someone to come out with an excavator with a long stick and they will get the work done in no time. If you think you can do it just know that operating an excavator is like walking, chewing gum, patting your head, and rubbing your stomach all at the same time. You can do just one of those things at a time, but it takes longer, and at several hundred dollars a day to rent it, you don't want to waste too much time.

 

[Buck]

All,

I love the fact that most all of you support my backhoe purchase despite your unanimous agreement of its impracticality in pond maintenance.

Thanks... I am sure I will find many, many more uses
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Volfandt]

Can't cost justify all things in life, sometimes the "want to's" has gotta over ride the "need to's" /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I needed to dig out my small semi dried out pond and also do some shore maintenance to it a few yrs ago so instead of paying someone to dig it out, I went and rented one of those small Terra-mite TLBs. Spent the entire week working that little thang cause it didn't have the reach nor capacity to do it quickly. But that was fine cause I enjoyed the seat time emmencely and it was after all, working!

I deposited the pond dirt on my garden and had an outstanding corn, watermellon & pumpkin crop that season.

It also planted a seed in the ole brain housing group thats also finally grown to fruitation.

I really don't need a BH and I really can't cost justify having one either but what the hey, I gots a little one now and I'm sure, down the road somewhere, sometime, that little digger will earn it's keep /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

In the mean time, it sure looks impressive hanging on the back of that little tractor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Go for it!

Volfandt