Can My Compact dig this out? (or is it time to rent a skid steer)

homedad · Oct 16, 2011

I dug out a small foundation for a crawl between an existing garage and a new basement using an L185DT. It was about 5 feet deep 20'wide and 20'long. Took about 4 hours and used a long approach because a loader is not efficient at digging. I ended up cracking the arms on the loader from the constant flexing. I wished I had just rented a back hoe.

AndyMA · Oct 16, 2011

It all depends what you are digging. What happens if you hit a ledge or giant boulder (like twice car size). In NE Conn where my farm is my 75 hp TN 75 could not dig out that size area because of all the rocks and ledge.

Even a 44,000 lb excavator might be stopped because of ledge which would require blasting.

Dig a few test hole and plan on spending a fair amount of time.

Good luck

Andy

Short Game · Oct 16, 2011

Don't know what you are digging into, but being wet probably will not be good. Like Egon has said, walk it down as you go. If you keep compacting it in thin layers, assuming it is subsoil and not topsoil, you should get a pretty good base. But if it's too wet, probably better just to go away and let it dry out. I've done several of these type jobs with my old Cub Cadet (Mitsubishi) 27 horse compact. Our base around here is tuff (much like clay) and sandstone.

jenkinsph · Oct 16, 2011

I built a similar sized foundation this spring and would mention that a vibratory roller is a good thing to have when compacting the low side of the foundation. As mentioned in above posts there are several ways to make the cut and fill but you don't wan't settling to be a problem with the new structure. I used a Case roller and compacted every 4 to 6 inches and it packed well enough I couldn't see my footprints in the fill.

Verticaltrx · Oct 16, 2011

If you have a decent box blade, use it more than the loader. If it is a good heavy duty one it will move soil faster and with less fuss than the loader. Start by scraping the top soil back then just start pulling soil from the high side to the low side. Most efficient method is to go round and round, no need to stop and back up. Whether you use the loader or the box blade be sure to spread the fill dirt thin and compact as you go. I've done a lot of dirt work with my little B3200 and it works well for what it is.

Regardless you'll probably spend at least a few full days working on this. Renting a skid steer it could probably done in one or two days max. Or hire someone with a good sized track loader and it would be done in an hour or two.

EDIT: here's a link to a thread I started with a few pics of some excavating I've done with my B3200

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/215799-biggest-projects-youve-completed-your.html

Branchchipper · Oct 16, 2011

I did a similar project a few years ago, and I lucked out...
I have a friend with a small excavator (Kubota U45)...

IMO, given the mud, volume of material, and unknown other conditions you may encounter, a small tracked excavator and an experienced operator are worth their weight in gold.

Save your CUT for other projects!

North Country · Oct 17, 2011

I wouldn't count on the CUT for compaction. It's designed for a lighter footprint and no matter how thin you spread the soil, it's just not going to do the job a roller will.

slowzuki · Oct 17, 2011

Could do it with your box but it will take a while. An 850 size dozer could have it done in a couple of hours working with someone compacting it.

dodge man · Oct 17, 2011

For reference, I moved about 65 cy of dirt with my BX2350 when we put in a swimming pool. It was my first time using a FEL and I'm going to guess it took me about 12-18 hours of machine time. Now that I'm a little better, it would take less time.

I work for an engineering company, and compaction is very critical. I would get some kind of roller and compact the dirt in thin lifts. If you aren't pouring any kind of floors, its less critical to compact it.

new jersey mike · Oct 17, 2011

Do you have a box blade/scrapper? You could break up the ground with that and than go back to move the soil with the loader or just pull it across with the box ??