Excavator/pond/thoughts?????

[paulsharvey]

So, you also need to think abiut cycle time; so if we are digging, and tracking to throw our spoil even 20 ft away, we have a cycle time of like 1 min per 0.25cf. If we have a 30x60x1.5 ft to clean out, thats 2700 cf or a min of 45 straight hours, under ideal conditions (which never happen), meaning 1 rain even, in a week or 1.5 week time, could set you back to the beginning.

Also, with a 2T machine, I think 0.25 cf is every minute is optimistic.

 

[paulsharvey]

Im thinking 1 week, completely devoted to the pond, and a 8T machine ($1600/week), with good weather, and your excavation part is done. Another week to spread, dress, and seed/hay; with your tractor and a hand rake; then assess the other tasks amd size appropriately

 

[ponytug]

You mean dig to solid rock, then gravel on top (few inches?), pipe straight up...backfill...another pipe ring...etc. Then short overflow pipe on top horizontal all covered with fill and some gravel, so a "waterfall" out of overflow to continue creek.(?)

Not knowing what your subterranean conditions are, but yes. If your water strata is on bedrock, then, yes dig to bedrock. Dig down to your water strata, add a ring, add some gravel, backfill to stabilize, (verify level as you go), and off you go. How deep and how much flow would the project be? Is the spring far enough out of, or above, the creek not to get flooded?

I'm of the same mind as @paulsharvey that you would be better off sizing the excavator to the job. My observation is that jobs with flowing water proceed better when the excavator (and pumps) are sized to be well ahead of the inflow, and loads. Flowing water is pretty much relentless, so either you are ahead of the curve, or you aren't.

I'm personally not averse to outsourcing jobs to professionals, especially if they are a one off job that isn't solidly in my skill set, but that's not always possible due to cost or availability here.

All the best,

Peter

 

[EddieWalker]

Rock is a huge source of leaking. Unless you have water flowing out of the rock, it is where you will have all your issues holding water.

If you dig down to rock, you need to bring in clay and pack it around the rock.

Pipes are also a problem for leaking. Only use a pipe if that is your only option. The best way deal with overflow is over virgin soil off to the side of the dam. You never want water to flow over your dam. If that is your only option, then you need to protect the dam with a lot of rock or concrete.

Water will flow along the side of the pipe, through the dam. There are colors that you have to install around the pipe to stop water from seeping along the sides of the pipe. Over time, the amount of water along the sides of the pipe will continue to increase.

The other issue with a pipe is clogging. Floating branches, leaves, dead things, and water plants will all end up in the pipe.

 

[paulsharvey]

Another thing ro think about, if you buy the import 2T; you are going to have a full service 2/3rds through your very first project, full hydralic and engine oil, and filters, so figure that time and money also.

You will get more track stretch during the first 10 hours then the next 200 hours; so you'll also be tensionion tracks on the 2nd day.

These arent the end of the world, but if your already undersized, and have 6 hours of maintenance, as your trying to beat a rain event, it might

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Thanks so much all ideas so far. The Chinese Ex is off the table. I'd be better off with a Kubota. And yes, not a mini. I certainly could use it for all sorts of other things here. I'd definitely want one with a thumb and cab.
I have lots of time hopefully! I love anything mechanical and enjoy projects.
No rush and I can talk with the dealer.
Pictures of areas would be best I'm sure but probably next week.
I'd much rather have an expensive excavator, tractor, skid steer, etc. than an expensive car or truck. I know that sounds weird (?????).

 

[civilian]

I'd much rather have an expensive excavator, tractor, skid steer, etc. than an expensive car or truck. I know that sounds weird (?????).

I like that thnking. Bet others do also. But other expense get in the way for expensive toys, I mean equipment or tools. Jon

 

[BleedingOrange]

Is it possible to get equipment on a short term rental or lease from any of your local equipment sellers ?

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Is it possible to get equipment on a short term rental or lease from any of your local equipment sellers ?

I'd rather not know. Especially not like my wife know.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'd much rather have an expensive excavator, tractor, skid steer, etc. than an expensive car or truck. I know that sounds weird (?????).

I paid twice as much for my cab tractor then I did for my F150

 

[ponytug]

@Fuddyduddy1952 I suspect you are in great company here.

All the best, Peter

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I mess with my wife...probably explains together 53 years (not counting as little kids making faces at each other )...but she's never once been upset no matter what I bought.

 

[civilian]

...but she's never once been upset no matter what I bought.

With that in mind, buy a little bigger one, you will always find a use for it. I bought a Kubota B26TLB backhoe when we built the house. It has been so useful around our 80 acres, hauling dirt, gravel, digging big rocks out, stumps, backfilling the foundations. Don't really need to have it, but it sure is nice. Dad could have always used an excavator, but never bought one. Sure could have been useful arounds his ponds and creeks. Jon

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

My wife agreed if enough people here agreed, I'm welcome to get this KXO80-5.....steel tracks & angle blade.....
Thoughts?

 

[ponytug]

Thoughts? "Lucky you", "Envy"

That looks like a bundle of joy from here. I'd get into some serious earthmoving if I had one here. Hmmm.

All the best, Peter

 

[Carl_NH]

Congrats - I concur this is a great machine for the task at hand. That looks like an amazing machine and assume you will get a thumb and a tilting bucket too while you're "approved" to buy!

With steel tracks and weight 10T I guess this is coming to live at your place and not traveling to other sites frequently?

 

[anomad]

My wife agreed if enough people here agreed, I'm welcome to get this KXO80-5.....steel tracks & angle blade.....
Thoughts?

I have the smaller KX57 on rubber tracks. It is hard for me not to make a mess if I ever need to cross a yard or places I like to keep nice. I can do it, just have to be super careful and leaving tracks is inevitable when the ground is soft. I can only imagine that would be even harder on the 80 with steel tracks.

It makes a great air conditioned weed eater in the summer!

 

[dodge man]

That’s a nice machine, construction grade and a nice size. Unless you have a serious truck and trailer it will never leave your property.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Congrats - I concur this is a great machine for the task at hand. That looks like an amazing machine and assume you will get a thumb and a tilting bucket too while you're "approved" to buy!

With steel tracks and weight 10T I guess this is coming to live at your place and not traveling to other sites frequently?

Yes. I'll see what I end up doing which now I'll probably wait until Spring. Certainly I'd save a lot of money hiring things out but what's the fun in that?

 

[gsganzer]

You might get a better deal if you buy before the end of the year.