digging out for concrete

[accordionman]

HELLO TO ALL,
a friend wants me to dig out for some concrete.
the only problem i see is his ground is not level.
one side is about half a foot lower, so how do i
handle that.i would be doing this with my kubota,
and fel. suggestions welcome.
accordionman
wlbrown

 

[o2batsea]

Uh, are you using a backhoe attachment or just the loader?
You know that a loader is not for digging, yes?

 

[Rustyiron]

We need to know what you are digging for? Footers for a bldg, level slab on grade, etc.

 

[Egon]

A level and some stakes.:thumbsup:

 

[pat32rf]

No matter what you do, the bottom of the bucket will be parallel with your REAR wheels. You can either dig from the side, taking a bit at a time then finish with a shovel (lot of work) or turn lengthwise and scoop from the end. Just don't place any fresh concrete on soil (or crushed stone) that hasn't been compacted.....

 

[jimgerken]

I have a similar situation. I am attempting to level a site for a building. It has slope, about 2 feet from side to side, and a foot from back to front. So I am thinking it makes sense to get it to a slope that still has about four inches of drop from back to front, and side to side, to allow any water to migrate out from under it. After attaining this slope, I will be putting in a foot of draining fill (sand, gravel, all re-claimed from other projects so it has some dirt mixed in, will pack real nice I am thinking). I am counting on the rain (we've been getting plenty of 1 inch rains lately) to settle any filled areas. Do I have to be concerned with packing excavated soil areas, or only concerned with packing filled areas? Thanks.

 

[RPW]

When I had my barn put in the dirt guy did a basic scraping of the top soil so he could get down to solid ground. He then brought in crushable fines and used that to make a level pad. Concrete guy came in and dug footers, layer vapor barrier and rebar. Did his forms and laid the pad.

Good luck.

 

[accordionman]

HELLO TO ALL,
the project is a level slab, that will be used
for mounting a hoist. comment on digging with
a fel. that is all i have ever used for digging. i have
a toothbar that does a fine job when the ground is
hard.
what i wanted to know about the ground not being
level. should i try to fill in one side that is low, or?
if the form is level, and filled with gravel, shouldn't
that be ok.
accordionman

 

[Bartcephus]

HELLO TO ALL,
what i wanted to know about the ground not being
level. should i try to fill in one side that is low, or?
if the form is level, and filled with gravel, shouldn't
that be ok.
accordionman

Accordionman,

You can use the FEL to cut through the grass/sod and or dig the place "level", However, if you are moving the dirt from the high side to the low side, you will need to compact the soil prior to pouring the concrete. If you can "level" the pad by just removing the dirt from the high side and all you are pouring concrete on is "undisturbed" soil, then you will have reduced the chances of the slab cracking because of insufficient compaction. Your choice on what to do depends on the circumstances. If you do move dirt from high to low. Let the ground settle several weeks (or months) prior to pouring. Renting a compactor can speed that time up dramatically.

Regards,
Bart

 

[Rustyiron]

Bartcephus is right, watch your compaction, especially if you do a lift.
The best way to do this if you have the space is to do a complete "cut" in to the slope and establish a flat space that is big enough to allow for drainage (swales) around the "uphill" side(s) of the bldg. Positive drainage away from the slab is important especially if your temps. allow for frost. This way your slab will be on good firm undisturbed ground and you will not have an entrance grade issue (as you would if you filled the low side and cut the high side) Do it right the first time, it will never be easier.