Driving tractor over Leech field

Jibber · Nov 3, 2004

I had the septic pumped today and I asked the guy about the location of the leech field. I have a L3130 with calcium filled tires, loader and backhoe and I figure it's around 6000 pounds. I've always been concerned about that weight and what damage it might do to the leech field. The tank itself is 2 feet under ground and out of the way anyway so I'm not worried about it. Anyway.. he went out with a long crow bar and started shoving it into the ground at various places. He found the first leg of the leech field and when he brought up the bar it was sopping wet. He said "that ain't good". He probed the rest of the field and all of the legs were dry.. just the one at the edge of the yard.. near the tree line was "wet". He speculated it could be a number of things including bad design, too much effluent flowing to the one leg, or damage to the line.

My question.. could I have crushed the pipe or something driving the tractor over it? I had no idea the line was that close to the tree line.. I usually only operate the tractor on the perimeter of the front yard because of my fear of damaging the field.

anyone else had septic issues with a heavy tractor? I'd hate to put my entire front yard off limits to the tractor but I also don't want to spend 10 grand to repair or replace a leech field.

PBinWA · Nov 3, 2004

I drove my F250SD with some large Douglas Firs and at a different time an old Ford 8N with filled tires over my leech field before I realized it was where it was. It had been buried under a huge pile of blackberries. I have a mushy corner at the lowest part of the field too (it's on a slight hill side) but I'm not sure if it was there before or not.

I too am curious about the load bearing capabilities of a leech fields. Can I drive a 2000 pound Tractor over my field? How do you know what a field can take?

Bob_Skurka · Nov 3, 2004

I've had 10 wheel dump trucks full of sand go right over my field. I've had medium size Cat Dozers go right over my field. I've had too many tractors, TLBs, Bobcats and track hoes go over my field to bother to count the trips. Plus numerous journey with PU trucks and SUVs. And I've done it in all sorts of weather, hot, dry, cold and very wet. No problems. The field is one of the only areas on my land that can be driven through without hitting a tree so it is where we cross with equipment. It has been in place for nearly 10 years. I just had the whole thing inspected when the septic tank was pumped out early this summer. The guy who pumped it also does inspections for the county. He said everything is in great shape.

MadReferee · Nov 3, 2004

This subject has been discussed in detail several times here on TBN. Do a search for "septic system".

The bottom line is that it all depends on the design, age and components of your system. In most cases it does not matter and you can drive over it with no problems. If you system is failing it probably had nothing to do with your tractor.

SacandagaBrad · Nov 3, 2004

( He probed the rest of the field and all of the legs were dry.. just the one at the edge of the yard.. near the tree line was "wet". )

That sounds like a tilted distribution box or line to me. Is the "wet" line the last line? It sounds like most of the effluent is going past all the lines except the last, overloading that line to the point of keeping it satruated. Did your septic back up in the house? It shouldn't have if the other lines are dry as they would have started taking water after the saturated line could take no more. Is there leachate coming to the surface? Depending on the design, it could be as simple as digging up the box and re-leveling to properly distribute the water to the other lines. None of them should be bone dry and none of them should be fully saturated.

When I used to install systems, we would drive a full size TBL over the lines and not worry about it. The leach lines consisted of perforated PVC pipe in a crushed stone filled trench, covered with filter paper and topsoil to breathe. Even if the pipe were to get deformed, the crushed stone would still convey water. We never had a problem crushing pipe, but occasionally did have to go back to re-level a distribution box after it settled.

Good luck.

Brad

JJT · Nov 3, 2004

I'd dig up the distribution box and limit the flow into that water logged lateral. They make caps/plugs that are adjustable. That's certaining easier than digging up the box and trying to get it level. You said the other laterals were dry, heck, I'd even consider blocking off half the opening for the lateral that was soggy. Sounds like the entire tank my be draining into just that 1 leg.

Jibber · Nov 3, 2004

Actually, it would be the first leg.. the one almost straight down from the tank anyway. The others then are parallel off to the right.

No backup in the house.. never any problems.

I should have made it clear.. he didn't mean that the other legs were dry.. but when he put the crowbar down onto the top of the leg.. it came back "dry".. On that first leg. it came up dripping..and looking down into the hole it left.. the hole had water in it.

the turf area around the leg does not appear significantly mushy or anything.

It may be a distribution problem.. more effluent heading down that first leg. The house is about 15 years old and never any backup or effluent surfacing.

I guess I'll monitor it and see if it gets any worse. Leastwise.. the tank is empty now.. should take a few days to fill. I'll check it again over the next few days to see if the ground remains saturated over that leg.

the bottom line is.. my tractor concerns. I would hate to have to eliminate travel over the front yard.. the rest is woods.. and big rocks.. not easy for tractor travel.

ps.. I did do a forum search on septic and leech before the post.. I found numerous references to driving tractors over the tank itself.. but not the leech field. Since the field is closer to the surface.. about 15 inches down.. this is my biggest concern.

thanks for all the info!

Dargo · Nov 4, 2004

I agree that your tractor likely did not do any damage. I forgot where my lines were and drove a loaded semi pulling a large excavator over my lines. I had to have a permit to haul it because of the weight and width, which was just a hair over 86,000 pounds total with the rig and excavator and 12 feet wide. I wouldn't do it again and fortunately I missed my tank, but I didn't have any problems. It's been 12 years now and I've never even had to have my tank pumped a single time, and it doesn't appear that I need to anytime soon.

SacandagaBrad · Nov 4, 2004

( It's been 12 years now and I've never even had to have my tank pumped a single time, and it doesn't appear that I need to anytime soon. )

I would pump it! We used to recommend every 5 - 7 years as preventative maintenance. If the solids build up thick enough to overcome the baffles, they go straight into your leach line and the problems start quick. Rehab or replacement of a leach field is a lot more than periodic pumping. Just my 2 cents as a former honey wagon operator.

Brad

ByronBob · Nov 4, 2004

I wouldn't do it again and fortunately I missed my tank, but I didn't have any problems. It's been 12 years now and I've never even had to have my tank pumped a single time, and it doesn't appear that I need to anytime soon.

Holy Sh**............. Tell me your kidding??

Nobody in the world would tell you this is a good thing. It's the solids in your tank which can be the problem. The solids degrade to some point and the sediments settle to the bottom. This sludge needs to be pumped out on some basis. Unless you live alone with a 2000 gallon holding tank I'd call right away to pump that.

If the solids fill to the point where it starts leaching into your septic leach field it's like grease choking your pipes in the house. Eventually all the lines plug up and then your done.

You can't fix that problem either. It means a new leach field. And with updated codes across the US today you might need additional lines you didn't need back then. For $150 pump it out, make it clear to the guy pumping it that it hasn't been done in 12 years so he can inspect the D-Box and lines ect.... really good

Consider yourself blessed and get on the phone bud!!!!!

Dargo · Nov 4, 2004

Wow, really!? I flush yeast down the toilet every month or so. My grandparents have honestly not had their tank pumped in well over 40 years and they have no problems. Seriously.

I have 5 kids (seven of us in the house) too. My pool house and barn are on a separate system. You guys really think it should be pumped? I just figured since my grandparents have never had theirs pumped, and I have no problems (during dry summers, I can clearly see the green grass stripes where the lines are) that they didn't need to be pumped unless there was a problem. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bob_Skurka · Nov 4, 2004

I had mine pumped at 8.5 years, the guy told me that I was lucky I didn't wait much longer because it would have caused damage. Everyone has a different situation, but the recommendations seem to be about every 5 years as a rule of thumb.

My VP dug a brand new field last year, which is what inspired me to have my tank pumped early this summer. My cost was a couple hundred $$$, his was thousands. It seems like cheap insurance to have it done.

Jibber · Nov 4, 2004

I have mine pumped every three years.. better safe than sorry. But, everything goes into the tank.. wash water.. bath water.. that's the stuff that hurts the bacteria levels.. especially bleach.

If you're in an area where you can divert your wash water.. you could probably go quite a few years without pumping the tank.. but I think more than 8 would be taking a big chance.

stephan · Nov 5, 2004

Don't drive over your leech field, period. Don't run animals (especially horses) on it, don't grow trees too near it. The list goes on. Mow it but with a push mower and don't feed the grass to animals. That's the results of the research that I've done over the last couple of years trying to resolve a smelly septic. Turns out to have been a perished o-ring on the toilet itself but I did learn about looking after a septic tank.

The issue is compaction and while I'm no biologist, the ground around the leech field where the natural bugs in the soil break-down the waste water need soil that is not compacted. I don't know how this works exactly, I guess the theory is that the waste water spreads over a larger area when the soil is "loose". While I understand the reasoning about the crushed rock and the poly pipe if the waste cannot spread out in the soil the process of breaking down is hampered.

Judging by the comments already perhaps the soil compaction does not cause visable problems but just perhaps the biological processes are not occuring and the waste is building up?

MadReferee · Nov 6, 2004

( Don't drive over your leech field, period. )

Quite a harsh statement, don't you think. We have seen many situations where TBN members have proven your statement to be false.

Alot depends on the design and construction of your leech field. Different states and even areas within each state, have different design minimums that will effect how a field performs. Soil conditions play into that too.

The best answer to the original poster's question is that it depends on many factors and that he should consult with the designer and installer of his particular system to get that answer.

stephan · Nov 6, 2004

Yes it is harsh and I knew when I wrote it there would be discussion, and discussion is good. Yes, I also agree there have been loads of threads here on TBN discussing this very topic and again loads of stories of driving over leech fields with everything and anything. My point on this is a simple one, if I could provide evidence from local authorities that driving over the leech fields is bad is their counter evident it is good or even does not affect the effectiveness of the field?

A leech field is not just a place to spread a lot of water like a rubble drain is to store stormwater it is in effect a sewerage works. Yes the "cleaner" water from the septic is dispersed there but the bad bacteria's (I think) that remain in the water are broken down there by sun, soil and other things living in the soil (worms and the like).

The real test is in the effectiveness of the field and the breaking down of the dangerous bugs that live in the waste. How do you test that? Well I can't and I'm not going to pay someone to do it either but the kids are encouraged to play elsewhere, no animals or vehicles traverse mine and it is not soggy or smelly. I have also diverted the washing machine water to reduce stress on the field.

I have no evidence this contributes to us (my family) not getting sick, colds and the like, often but it makes me feel better that I'm making an effort given that, at the end of the day, the field is such a small part of our property.

Finally, I agreed that the answer to the poster original question is to consult those who would know but can I suggest it is the designer and the administrator (local authority) not the installer. Comments in these threads indicate that perhaps the installers are not all that knowledgable whereas the duly qualified (perhaps more educated) persons would have a different opinion. I don't want to start an argument about qualifications versus experience here but I am unsure about the qualification required to install a leech field.

ericinmich · Nov 8, 2004

I learned from my father that having it pumped out every 4 years is easy to remember if you associate it with the presidential elections /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif ... That's the schedule that I'm on.

Eric
TBD tractor next spring

Ursushorribilus · Nov 8, 2004

( I learned from my father that having it pumped out every 4 years is easy to remember if you associate it with the presidential elections /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif ... That's the schedule that I'm on.

Eric
TBD tractor next spring )

Now that's funny, and oh so appropriate, polititians and sewerage do have alot in common /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ByronBob · Nov 9, 2004

Dargo it's the solids which cause the problem. The bacteria does do a great job keeping things in perspective but the tank eventually will build up and if it starts flowing into your field that's when the stuff hits the fan.

If you pump the tank tell us how it goes.