Dig septic bed with front end loader

[oldnslo]

Backhoe is used to dig basements so would be same method for this septic bed. Depending on hoe size or reach may have to have some method of moving the dirt away from the hole. I suspect maintaining grade would be a little easier with the hoe vs loader since loader would be following tractor movement up, down and side to side.

 

[2manyrocks]

I dug a trench system with a backhoe using a water level to establish the required pitch. The inspector used a laser level to check it.

What you might do is dig one pass and then set a string line as a reference because you need some visual reference to see how far to dig.

 

[MossRoad]

Hello, I am faced with digging a rectangular septic bed with size of 14' x 40'. Inspector requires open bed as opposed to trenches. All I have is a Kubota 2650 with FEL. Not sure a backhoe (at least ones without a lot of size) would be of much help anyway with a bed.

I do have a box blade with scarifiers to loosen up the top soil and grass.

The soil is pure sand. Anyone tackle such a project with a FEL? I know I will need a ramp to get down the desired depth. I don't know how long the ramp will need to be. I'm really stressed about keeping this level with a FEL. I suppose I could use the box blade to help with that.

Getting the rocks and the backfill in around the pipes is another story!

There are so many videos on YouTube on doing this with trenches but I can't find any with an open bed design.

At 2' deep that's about 42 cubic yards of sand. More if the edges collapse. 2' deep shouldn't require that long of a ramp. Think of it this way....

2' deep ramp only 2' long would be 45 degree angle.
8' long would be only about 14 degrees.
12' long would be under 10 degrees.

 

[MossRoad]

As for level, use grade stakes if you have a laser level. I used a water level when I excavated and poured the pad for our garage. Pretty simple and very accurate.

 

[dodge man]

I actually think a FEL would do a better job in this case than a backhoe. Moss road is correct on ramp length. I like to think in ratios though. For example a 4 to 1 slope seems steep on a tractor but not so steep you can’t drive it which gives you a ramp 8 feet long. 10 foot long ramp would be good.

 

[wacnstac]

I actually think a FEL would do a better job in this case than a backhoe. Moss road is correct on ramp length. I like to think in ratios though. For example a 4 to 1 slope seems steep on a tractor but not so steep you can’t drive it which gives you a ramp 8 feet long. 10 foot long ramp would be good.

Given that I'm digging a bed and not a trench I tend to agree. My sandy dirt is easy digging. Only difficulty is keeping things level with a FEL. Once the tractor is tilted, so is the loader.

 

[dodge man]

I’m no expert operator but I think it’ll be easier than you think. The nice thing about sand is you can back drag a little if you get a low spot.

 

[duffer]

Have you thought about mounting the receiver for the laser level on the super-structure above your bucket? Lay your bucket flat on the ground, then mount the receiver at a point above the top of the bucket (protected from material and dumping) and the indicator lights would give you a pretty good read on your depth and insure a flat base. I'd start by only going down 6", using this method to "practice" before going down to your final depth.

FWIW I've taken my tractor down a 45°+ slope to get into a 5' deep drainage ditch we dug. No problem if you back down the ramp.

 

[chim]

Given that I'm digging a bed and not a trench I tend to agree. My sandy dirt is easy digging. Only difficulty is keeping things level with a FEL. Once the tractor is tilted, so is the loader.

Had experience with that while harvesting topsoil. Best to establish a level spot to work away from.

 

[Doorman63]

Over dig the depth a bit.
Set some 2x4 at the outside edges
Level them with transit/laser level.
Fill in between 2x4s.

Done!