Chinese Tractor Weight

[777777]

Hi All.

Chinese tractor question, well kind of.

Chinese tractors have a lot more weight to them than subcuts.
Does their weight pose any worries about with septic systems and possibly crushing or damaging the pipes.

Talking in terms of 25\28\35 hp Jinmas or the Kama
TS 254\354 ( all with FEL's )

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks
Tom

 

[RonMar]

If your pipes are installed to code, you shouldn't have any problems. It takes a fair ammount of concentrated force to damage a piece of PVC. The soil around a properly buried pipe should absorb and distribute the weight of the tractor.

I do avoid driving anything heavier than the lawnmower on the drainfield as soil compaction in the drainfield can impede it's proper operation.

 

[777777]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the input.

Installed to Code .......... well sometime depends on whose code. In my particular case, the bed is so full of ups and downs it isn't funny. Up where the pipes are and down where the fill has sunk. Need to straighten it all out so is even and didn't want to take a chance on driving tractor with FEL full of dirt on it without asking first.
Going to take alot of dirt to even it out and sure don't want to wheelbarrow it all.
Maybe a bobat, but there is cost attached when other tools are available that I thought may be able to do it.

Thanks
Tom

 

[ToolManRick]

They're heavy alright, but if you look at it on a per tire basis it's not all that bad. With a 60/40 (rear/front) weight distrubution and weighing in at 4000 lbs, mine has about 1200 lbs on one rear tire. Then there's the actual foot print of the tire, so it's maybe 70 lbs per sq in which is not all that much. Still, if your running AG tires it can make a pretty deep impression in the clay around here cause the tire ribs concetrate that load to a smaller foot print. You should be okay driving around the tank area. My tank fill area isn't bothered by it, but not all tanks are equal. I suppose it would depend too on soil moisture, mix and a lot of variables.

 

[777777]

Hi,

Not the tank area that is a problem but the runs. Over time and probably due to lousy job installing them, the spaces between the runs have sunk appreciably so I need to fill them to level out the yard.
Problem is, since where the pipes are, I am more than a little hesitant about driving over them to drop dirt on the farthest runs. Right now is like a roller coaster when I drive my lawn mower on them.
One thing for sure is that I don't want to crush the pipes and because of a fence, the only way to get to the far side of the pipe runs is to drive across the raised pipe areas.

Sure don't want to do it by wheelbarrow as is a big septic field.
Life sure is interesting.

Thanks
Tom

 

[RonMar]

Well if you are worried about it, and only have certain areas where you have to cross the pipes, place a sheet of plywood(1/2"-3/4") down temporarilly where you need to drive across the pipes. The tractor driving over the plywood will definitely distribute the tractor weight over a very large area and keep from focusing any forces on the pipes buried below.

When you say "Runs" are you refering to the pipes that distribute the grey water to the drainfield? If so, I would avoid driving the tractor there as compacting the soil around the drainfield pipeing can keep it from passing water properly. A squished sponge dosn't soak up/pass any water.

If the depressions you are refering to are between the drainfield pipes, they are probably caused by natural setteling as the water from the drainfield pipes has flowed through the surrounding soil. The soil over the pipes didn't settle as far as it was a little more compacted than the surrounding soil when the pipes were installed and there was sand and round gravel placed in the ditches before the pipes were layed. The installer also may not have re-distributed the excess ditch dirt when they backfilled the trenches and left the areas over the pipe a little higher than the surrounding terrain.

If it was my drainfield, I would move the fill dirt as close as possible with the tractor and do the actual work over the field with a wheelbarrow and rake.

 

[777777]

Hi Ron,

Yes, the runs referred to are the pipes distributing the grey water. That is what I was worried about crushing but you also make a good point about compacting the dirt over them.

Is a very large septic field. That is why I was hoping to use the FEL to dump the fill in the low area between the pipes. Can imagine he didn't fill properly as there are a number of other deficiencies in the house itself.

Maybe will try using the plywood idea as there are many depressions involved. Would like to fill the depressions then put a coat of top soil on top of the whole thing to level it out.

Thanks for your help and ideas. Sorry if I am not too clear on what I am talking about.

Tom