Instant Pond

[PAGUY]

Brandi - Are your ponds spring fed or are they dependent on rainfall ?

Any chance that drought conditions will turn them into giant mud holes? Texas has been having drought conditions seems like every year.

PAGUY

 

[bindian]

Brandi - Are your ponds spring fed or are they dependent on rainfall ?

Any chance that drought conditions will turn them into giant mud holes? Texas has been having drought conditions seems like every year.

PAGUY

We have here what I call wet weather springs. They dry up when dry and seep when the ground is wet. But mainly it is rain that fills the ponds. They could go dry, but not yet. I get enough seepage during the last dry snap to run the waterpump about 20-25 minutes a day. I'm not worried about it going dry, I just wanted to catch all the water going behind the dam. It would flow more often, while the pond needed more water.

Most folks don't understand Texas droughts. Just before and after them..............we get flooded. At least here, in the Southwest corner of the Piney Woods of Texas
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

I haven't been able to do any work on the pond since the Dec. 3rd "flood". Between my daughter and Grand daughter being here for 6 days over the holidays and it raining and me getting sick, just around 6 hours was spent on the pond in 6 weeks.

I did get the culvert in so I can truck spoils out from the side of the pond near the fence. But the area is so wet, I couldn't pack it down with the Mahindra. My front tires kept sinking. So I packed it down with the CAT, until the sun comes out long enough to dry it out. It floats under your foot when walking. So no way to drive the dumptruck over it for a while.

I even tried just digging and dumping behind the CAT. I was gonna just haul the dirt out with the Mahindra. But even the CAT was sliding sideways at one point, so I stopped all work until sunnier weather.

This water accumulated in just one day from drain off coming through the PVC pipe culvert. This is the reason I am moving the dam back, to capture all this water.

hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

I am tired of it raining and it being too wet on my days off. So I quit using the dump truck and moved dirt with just the tractor's loader yesterday. Then I took the CAT down the incline that still had water running down it and dug. I piled it on the far slope and also on the end of the old dam. I went in and came out 3 times (I didn't have on rubber boots to get out down in the muck) without problems. But the last time I did, instead of backing up and out..........the CAT's tracks dug in when I pushed too hard on the bucket for assistance. I had to get out (after all) in the muck and get the chains, the Mahindra, and Luke to help pull me out.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Here I am moving the dirt, dug on Friday, further up the slope. I hate double handling the dirt. But this dirt will get handled 3 times. This is the dirt I dug in post #364.

Two of the reasons of this pond remodel and enlargement....... this water hasn't stopped running since the Dec. 3rd flood......

............and to clean silt around the island........
hugs, Brandi

 

[Bird]

Brandi, that just doesn't look like a lot of fun to me. I think I'd have waited for the summer drought.

 

[bindian]

Brandi, that just doesn't look like a lot of fun to me. I think I'd have waited for the summer drought.

Bird,
You have a point, but remember.................I love digging. I need to get to a point where I can sell the dump truck. I am not there yet. But getting closer.
hugs, Brandi

 

[mike69440]

Something about playing the dirt sure is fun

 

[KubotainNH]

Something about playing the dirt sure is fun

Interesting machine you have there. Does the arm pivot in the middle? I bet the pics of that area will look much whiter tomorrow.

 

[mike69440]

Interesting machine you have there. Does the arm pivot in the middle? I bet the pics of that area will look much whiter tomorrow.

PC75UU2 is a machine designed for urban work, Grey market, Pivots in middle. Pond is all done 3-1/2 years ago, about 60' across, 8 or 9 feet deep ( except in the drought we just had) Nice and green in summer, with a little waterfall in the wet seasons.

 

[bindian]

Something about playing the dirt sure is fun

Mike,
Yes it is. How do you like that knuckle boom Komatsu? Would you buy one again, if given the chance?
hugs, Brandi

 

[mike69440]

Just about all Komatsu excavators have weak swing torque, average strength everywhere else. The short radius old ones are very hard to work on. Just can't reach many components.
Other than the computer and proximity sensors is like really advanced for a 20 year machine, but now snafu and disconnected, these are very reliable well built machines. (Lucky, as they stink taking them apart.)
Excavators sure are diggers.

 

[bindian]

Just about all Komatsu excavators have weak swing torque, average strength everywhere else. The short radius old ones are very hard to work on. Just can't reach many components.
Other than the computer and proximity sensors is like really advanced for a 20 year machine, but now snafu and disconnected, these are very reliable well built machines. (Lucky, as they stink taking them apart.)
Excavators sure are diggers.

So are you saying to steer clear of them when buying another excavator?
hugs, Brandi

 

[mike69440]

So are you saying to steer clear of them when buying another excavator?
hugs, Brandi

I've been lucky with the Zero Tail swing because other than struggling to move hydraulic lines, I have not been caught where I have need to have the counter weight removed to do service work, but that time is coming eventually after owning it near 10 years. I also have a funky diode in the alternator and the belt needs to be replaced, and I have no idea how the access it.

It has been a good machine, other than I had to repair a $4000 main valve. I was lucky to polish out the spool and just change the seals.

The Zero tail is great in the woods and tight places, just servicing is very tight. Older machines are like that. It is well built study machine like a CAT. CAT's don't spec the highest in class either but like Komatsu, they are smooth to operate. Like I said, my Komatsu could use more swing torque for side grading and has a cramped cab. I'ts a nice quality machine, quiet motor, I would not fear it, but If you could find a simple conventional machine, it may be the safer bet.
I regret not buying it sooner, and might have been better with a 12-14 ton machine. As my major digging is done, it is plenty for what I do, and I really should find more work for it.

 

[bindian]

I've been lucky with the Zero Tail swing because other than struggling to move hydraulic lines, I have not been caught where I have need to have the counter weight removed to do service work, but that time is coming eventually after owning it near 10 years. I also have a funky diode in the alternator and the belt needs to be replaced, and I have no idea how the access it.

It has been a good machine, other than I had to repair a $4000 main valve. I was lucky to polish out the spool and just change the seals.

The Zero tail is great in the woods and tight places, just servicing is very tight. Older machines are like that. It is well built study machine like a CAT. CAT's don't spec the highest in class either but like Komatsu, they are smooth to operate. Like I said, my Komatsu could use more swing torque for side grading and has a cramped cab. I'ts a nice quality machine, quiet motor, I would not fear it, but If you could find a simple conventional machine, it may be the safer bet.
I regret not buying it sooner, and might have been better with a 12-14 ton machine. As my major digging is done, it is plenty for what I do, and I really should find more work for it.

I understand the stuggles of tight space while working on it. I love my CAT (actually a rebadged Mitsubishi MS 070) in that it is a conventional tail swing, with all kinds of room. I can climb into the battery/valve compartment if needed. But all my rear is bolted at every panel. Even the frame is bolted. So I can open it all up to daylight. Well, except for the swing motor and gearbox. But I have scraped the paint in back, a time or two.

How do you like the knuckle boom instead of a swing boom?

Did you take the valve to a shop, or was that price for labor removing and replacing it? That seems really high to polish and reseal. Or is $4000 the price of a new valve?

Uh.....FYI............your not suppose to use the swing to side grade.
hugs, Brandi

 

[mike69440]

$4000 the price of a new valve? Yes, or was it more, don't remember,. Drives are about $10k! I like to play, not pay! I fixed it myself. Kissed the spool with a pieces of scotchbrite, and new seals. These are precision pieces, all hand lapped at factory, 0.0001" tolerances, so you can't buy spare parts, except seals, springs etc. just a new valve. Whew.

"Uh.....FYI............your not suppose to use the swing to side grade." Aw come on, if that's the only thing I shouldn't be doing, then.......

 

[bindian]

$4000 the price of a new valve? Yes, or was it more, don't remember,. Drives are about $10k! I like to play, not pay! I fixed it myself. Kissed the spool with a pieces of scotchbrite, and new seals. These are precision pieces, all hand lapped at factory, 0.0001" tolerances, so you can't buy spare parts, except seals, springs etc. just a new valve. Whew.

"Uh.....FYI............your not suppose to use the swing to side grade." Aw come on, if that's the only thing I shouldn't be doing, then.......

I thought you had a $4,000 repair job of polishing and resealing.:shocked:

I understand the clearances. I work on all my equipment. Makes my night job of working on airliners a lot more appreciated!

I really am lucky as I have a full service local hyd. shop that will rebuild valves, motors, and cylinders, if needed.:thumbsup: There are places online that can rebuild final drives.

.....................and don't bang the bucket down:laughing::laughing: like I did the other day. That made me mad at myself!
hugs, Brandi

 

[EddieWalker]

I couldn't get this to attach to our emails, but wanted you to see a picture of what I was describing.

 

[bindian]

Eddie,
That's what I imagined. Is that a Honda pump on the Honda engine? 3 inch?
hugs, Brandi

]

 

[EddieWalker]

Just the engine is Honda. I got it from Northern Tool, but don't remember the brand right now. I'll look when I get home