Trenching with BX23

picman · Nov 17, 2005

I'm considering the BX23 as my first tractor purchase. I feel comfortable with this machine for general landscaping, snow clearing + sweeping my b-yard skating rink. I also have a few electrical and irrigation trenching jobs that should be ok.

My concern is that I want to run a water line out to my barn and return a septic line to existing system. I havn't fully researched but I've heard that the depth required is 5ft. I would be glad to hear if anyone has tried to trench this deep with the BX23 and with what bucket width.
ps..I forgot to mention...this is my first posting ever....so sorry if it as little stiff. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

ronjhall · Nov 18, 2005

Welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I do not have a BX23. But my BH will dig 90" with a 1' flat. The BX23 will dig 7' If <font color="orange"> Kubota</font> did it's measurements the same as my BH, you should have no problem at 5'. Deeper you dig will require moving tractor more often.

Speedy7 · Nov 18, 2005

The BX23 BH is listed with a digging depth of 72.4", 2' flatbottom, so it should have no trouble trenching to 5'

David_G · Nov 18, 2005

5' should not be a problem. Rock or hard ground might stop you though.
I have 12" bucket.
Dug a 4' deep drain line the other day. Lots of tree roots slowed me down a bit.

JimMorrissey · Nov 18, 2005

Pic,

That sounds like you live in northern Vermont! Five feet is excessive IMO. You could easily go four feet and throw some insulation (blue or pink board) strips over the top of the pipes. You are in southern Mass...I bet it hasn't frozen more than two feet thick in twenty years. I can't remember a time the ground was frozen more than two feet and I'm in central Vermont, but snow helps a lot.

BTW: This is more of an "Owning/Operating" kind of question.

picman · Nov 18, 2005

Jim,
Thanks for bearing with me, and the insulation tip.
I was told that code for pouring fdn wall was 48"..I assumed another 12" for water. I seem to be spending more time researching tools than the job itself.
Yes, I definitely messed up putting this in "Pricing". /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Thanks again.
Pic

picman · Nov 18, 2005

Thanks for the information. One local salesman told me to discount maximum BH depth listings by 1/3 to get the feasable depth. Below that, you spend more time moving than digging, and the digging is harder on BH.
Pic

Speedy7 · Nov 19, 2005

It's all in the technique. For long trenches, most people use the backhoe to move the tractor along so you never have to turn around. Would go something like this:

1) Loader and outriggers down
2) Dig portion of trench
3) Loader and outriggers up, use backhoe to push tractor forward.
4) Repeat from (1)

It can go quite fast once you get your digging and moving technique down. I once dug 300' of trench in about a day with a compact TLB. And that was in rocky area so a lot of time was spent on rocks.

jim_wilson · Nov 20, 2005

I believe the frostline in MA is around 42-44". This means your water line needs to be below that to not freeze up in the winter. The septic line does not have to be as deep because they typically do not have standing water in them. The old septic line coming out of my house to the distribution tank was no more than about a foot and a half below ground. I have been using my BX23 to do some trenching lately and it works ok. It will get down to 5 ft or so relatively easily. The biggest problem with the BX23 for trenching in my opinion is that you can rapidly build up piles of excavated dirt alongside your hole that need to be moved out of the way. Having a 180 degree swing on the hoe would help. If you are just going to do an occasional job with the BX23 you just have to learn to work around it's limitations. Ground digging season is coming to an end around here - you might want to consider waiting till January when the new BX24 will be out - there are some nice improvements coming.

jim_wilson · Nov 20, 2005

Be careful using any sort of polystyrene or foam insulation in the ground near your buildings. Foam actually attracts termites ( I have seen this in my own house) burying it in the ground may give termites a nice insulated path into your structure. For a more convincing opinion than mine read this article at the Journal Of Light Construction website:

http://www.jlconline.com/cgi-local/view.pdf/c0d7157797a897a7f4f946e1c5331fad/www.jlconline.com/cgi-bin/jlconline.storefront/438087b50022e00e27177f00000105cb

Sometimes you have to pay to get the articles - if they want a payment send me a PM - I have the article saved and can forward it to you.