Yet another slightly offbeat assignment...

[Dougster]

Yeah, but then the mixer truck is going to have to sit there all day while Dougster shuttles pissant little loads around. If he's halfway smart he'll make Dougster pay for that. Seems like with the funnel the client will be happy and Dougster will make a reasonable profit. What more could you want?

That's the problem with the stump bucket. We are taking a LOT of trips here to move 10 yards of sand. No problem if it's just me and my dump trailer. Not so sure about a cement truck with operator... but I'll ask the question when I go there.

Until then, Plan A is still the amazing plywood sand funnel.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

So how much money you want to spend on this job?
Berlon: Sand Shooter

Let's just put it this way Larry: Most of you guys wouldn't cross the dang street for what I bid this job... ...and still the client is squawking.

Wouldn't be the first time if the client was just using me to help him negotiate the change order price for his main contractor.

Dougster

 

[WhyNot]

And please no more suggestions of manual shoveling. I abhor bringing it up again... it embarrasses me... but I am physically handicapped since birth (some would say mentally handicapped too) and I'm simply not going to shovel 30,000 lbs of sand with my one good arm.

Dougster, I know you don't want to shovel that sand but, when you say manhole, I think about the ones I have had the pleasure to spend a few hours in, there is no way you are going to be able to just dump the sand in and have the hole fill up. Some one is going to have to jump in and spread the sand to the far corners and even then you still won't get the corners filled to the top unless you dump a little sand at a time in the hole and pack it into the corners. And what about water. Are the holes dry? If there is a lot of water in there it needs to be pumped. Also, if you need to go in the hole you really need to be aware of the air quality. It does not take long for the gases that brew in these holes to make you sick or even kill you. FYI when we enter a manhole there is always a blower running and a gas detector on and also a guard up to make the phone call if the guys in the hole become sick. Sorry to be so negative but, these are thing's you need to think of. But then again if all they are 24" holes straight down ignore every thing I just typed.

 

[Dougster]

Dougster, I know you don't want to shovel that sand but, when you say manhole, I think about the ones I have had the pleasure to spend a few hours in, there is no way you are going to be able to just dump the sand in and have the hole fill up. Some one is going to have to jump in and spread the sand to the far corners and even then you still won't get the corners filled to the top unless you dump a little sand at a time in the hole and pack it into the corners. And what about water. Are the holes dry? If there is a lot of water in there it needs to be pumped. Also, if you need to go in the hole you really need to be aware of the air quality. It does not take long for the gases that brew in these holes to make you sick or even kill you. FYI when we enter a manhole there is always a blower running and a gas detector on and also a guard up to make the phone call if the guys in the hole become sick. Sorry to be so negative but, these are thing's you need to think of. But then again if all they are 24" holes straight down ignore every thing I just typed.

We've been calling it sand, but I believe the correct term for what they want is "flowable fill." There should be no need to enter the manholes. The manholes have all been pumped, cleaned and otherwise prep'd for filling with appropriate inspections and documention in hand. They need only be filled.

Dougster

 

[Toiyabe]

The flowable fill I'm used to is essentially grout, and includes portland cement and flyash. Are you sure that's what you'll be useing? If so, that changes things.

Flowable fill is the right thing to use if you want to fill the void completely. Not as easy to deal with as sand, though.

 

[Grrrr]

Dougster, have you thought about making a kind of spout that you could put on the front of your bucket. If necessary, you could make it removable so as you could fill it up with sand from your truck and then put the spout back on so you could guide it down the hole. Just kinda seems simpler than the whole funnel idea and having to move that funnel each time.

Heck, you could even put a hinge on it so you could flip it up for filling the bucket.

Sorry for the rubbish drawing

 

[philbuilt]

Dougster,
My bucket is approximately 1/3yd give or take that is only 30 trips to the truck. I load and dump my 3yd dump trailer 4 times in an hour = 12 yds.
If you could make that bucket extension like Grrr mention you could do this in little time without the surcharge. Are you going to compact as you go or just fill all and then compact? I would like to also suggest a concrete vibrator and generator.This will facilitate the sand flow. Also over top all the holes and clean up after the truck is gone. I don't know all the details but you are doing the right thing by asking.
Good luck I'm sure you will make it happen
Phil

 

[Dougster]

The flowable fill I'm used to is essentially grout, and includes portland cement and flyash. Are you sure that's what you'll be useing? If so, that changes things. Flowable fill is the right thing to use if you want to fill the void completely. Not as easy to deal with as sand, though.

Ultimately, I'm sure the authorities will dictate exactly what these manholes can be filled with. I'm just the stupid transporter and fill guy.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Dougster, have you thought about making a kind of spout that you could put on the front of your bucket. If necessary, you could make it removable so as you could fill it up with sand from your truck and then put the spout back on so you could guide it down the hole. Just kinda seems simpler than the whole funnel idea and having to move that funnel each time.
Heck, you could even put a hinge on it so you could flip it up for filling the bucket. Sorry for the rubbish drawing

That's a great conceptual drawing Jake... and certainly one of the early concepts I tossed around... but again, we get back to cost. Can't be spending more to alter and later restore my equipment than what the job pays. Not sure about the UK, but steel and welding costs for a mod like that can get pretty high over here.

The stump bucket is different. I need one anyway... and the cost is amazingly reasonable... and less than what I'll make on this job if I get it.

Dougster

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Doug, just wanted to point out 1 good and obvious thing about this job, People are calling you to do work. Your on your way with this new business.

Good luck