Yet another slightly offbeat assignment...

[Dougster]

Doug, You keep finding the wrong kind of "specialty" jobs

I take whatever comes in the door and I bid practically everything... I am not proud and nothing is considered too dangerous anymore (except maybe falling into a septic tank)... then I figure out afterwards what it would actually take to do the crazy job!!!

Dougster

 

[Defective]

I would like to second (or is that third?) the plywood funnel idea. Just build the funnel to match your FEL to the hole then scoop from your trailer & dump it in the funnel. Remember to make the funnel such that you can grab it with the FEL to move between the holes.

If you expect to come across this general sort of take again, make the funnel out of steel.

 

[Dougster]

I would like to second (or is that third?) the plywood funnel idea. Just build the funnel to match your FEL to the hole then scoop from your trailer & dump it in the funnel. Remember to make the funnel such that you can grab it with the FEL to move between the holes. If you expect to come across this general sort of take again, make the funnel out of steel.

I'm guessing this is a pretty unusual job, but who knows? I suppose the plywood funnel idea is about as good as it's gonna get. Just have to make sure it is strong enough to handle the weight (probably build a square 2x4 frame for it) and that it won't jam up on me. I'll just have to feed slowly and make sure it doesn't.

Dougster

 

[AlanB]

I should have probably pointed out that neither a dump truck nor my dump trailer could actually get close enough to these manholes to fill them in directly without a considerably long (and possibly vibrating) metal chute. In the case of the dump trailer, there simply would not be enough height available to make this concept work. Hence the probable reason that a "compact tractor and backhoe guy" was called in to do the job.

Dougster

Kind of "Paul Harvey Project" stuff here,,,,

The rest of the story...........

are these things off road or something?

I cannot picture where your tractor is going that I could not put my dump.

So dump into the bucket of your tractor, and shovel into the hole. And yes, I have unloaded more then 10 yards of gravel (much less fun then sand by the way) with a shovel and wheelbarrow.

Not much fun, but sometimes the most practical way of doing it.

 

[Toiyabe]

Another vote for the funnel. Maybe make a lip of 2x4s around the exit that fits down in the hole if they are really uptight about spillage.

Try it out before you get to the job site. You don't want it to break or find out it doesn't fit a full bucket load when there's a lot of people watching.

The job will probably go faster if you have another person with a shovel to help the sand get through the funnel. Otherwise you may be on and off the tractor all day. That person should be able to see over the funnel and down the hole (maybe bring a flashlight?) so you know when you're getting near the top. You may need to hand shovel at that point to avoid spillage.

Make sure the sand is dry.

 

[Dougster]

are these things off road or something? I cannot picture where your tractor is going that I could not put my dump.

With enough effort and abutter permission, I could jam a dump truck or trailer back in there too. I'm just telling you what the client wants. This is what he wants.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Another vote for the funnel. Maybe make a lip of 2x4s around the exit that fits down in the hole if they are really uptight about spillage. Try it out before you get to the job site. You don't want it to break or find out it doesn't fit a full bucket load when there's a lot of people watching. The job will probably go faster if you have another person with a shovel to help the sand get through the funnel. Otherwise you may be on and off the tractor all day. That person should be able to see over the funnel and down the hole (maybe bring a flashlight?) so you know when you're getting near the top. You may need to hand shovel at that point to avoid spillage. Make sure the sand is dry.

Amen to the dry sand!!!

I'm used to working alone and this job will be no different. I am a one man show and can't afford to share this small amount of revenue with a helper unless I want to go profitless. Jumping on and off the tractor doesn't bother me at all. And yes... ABSOLUTELY... I would test this funnel before moving it to the jobsite. That kind of "up front and personal" embarrassment I do not need.

Dougster

 

[Defective]

From the description of the task, I'd say you need 3 sheets of 3/4 ply, 4 2x2s, 1 2x6 and a big box of drywall screws.

Make a square frame from the 2x6 that just fits into the hole. Cut 2 sections (lengthwise) from one of the sheets of ply that are the same width as the frame. Center the frame on one long edge of a full sheet. Measure from the edge of the frame where it meets the edge of the sheet to the nearest corner on the other long edge. Cut your narrow sections to this length. Cut your 2x2s to this length also.

Stand your frame on edge with a little bit (maybe about half) hanging out past the edge of the sheet. Mark the corners that are still on the sheet. Lay a 2x2 on the sheet from each of these marks to the nearest corner on the long edge. Clamp them in place. Flip the sheet over. Pick up the frame we left in place & set it aside. Screw the 2x2s securely to the sheet. Repeat this for the other sheet. (Don't repeat the part where we forgot to move the frame out of the way...)

Now the tricky part...

Screw the frame in place on both sheets where it was sitting to mark the corners. Stand the assembly up so the frame is on the ground. Lay those sections we cut earlier in on the 2x2s. Apply lots of screws.

Use some of the leftover ply & 2x2 bits to brace the structure. (maybe stiffen the bottom outer corners...)

Yup...works for me...

(Sorry for the rather pedantic description, I've been arguing with computers all day...)

 

[Dougster]

From the description of the task, I'd say you need 3 sheets of 3/4 ply, 4 2x2s, 1 2x6 and a big box of drywall screws.

Make a square frame from the 2x6 that just fits into the hole. Cut 2 sections (lengthwise) from one of the sheets of ply that are the same width as the frame. Center the frame on one long edge of a full sheet. Measure from the edge of the frame where it meets the edge of the sheet to the nearest corner on the other long edge. Cut your narrow sections to this length. Cut your 2x2s to this length also.

Stand your frame on edge with a little bit (maybe about half) hanging out past the edge of the sheet. Mark the corners that are still on the sheet. Lay a 2x2 on the sheet from each of these marks to the nearest corner on the long edge. Clamp them in place. Flip the sheet over. Pick up the frame we left in place & set it aside. Screw the 2x2s securely to the sheet. Repeat this for the other sheet. (Don't repeat the part where we forgot to move the frame out of the way...)

Now the tricky part...

Screw the frame in place on both sheets where it was sitting to mark the corners. Stand the assembly up so the frame is on the ground. Lay those sections we cut earlier in on the 2x2s. Apply lots of screws.

Use some of the leftover ply & 2x2 bits to brace the structure. (maybe stiffen the bottom outer corners...)

Yup...works for me...

(Sorry for the rather pedantic description, I've been arguing with computers all day...)

D - Wouldn't it be easier and stronger just to use two 4 x 8 sheets of 3/4" plywood and form the actual funnel (and space out the sheets) using a 2x10s or 2x12s leaving the plywood sheets full-size for good lateral balance. I could then make a weighted brace or three of some design on the side opposite from my bucket approach.

I believe I'd use my framing nailer and just blast the heck out of it... using metal spraps all the way around at the key stress points. I don't trust drywall screws on something like this.

The trick, of course, would be to NOT overload and jam it. If I do that, I am screwed no matter what else I do.

Dougster

 

[TheKid]

I don't know if this would work in your situation, but I have seen concrete mixers deliver sand. would a mixer with a 20 ft chute reach the manholes?