Help with a dig pattern.

Hilltop366 · June 07, 2023, 07:17:21 PM

If you have suitable hard dirt that will compact under the top soil I would start at the end (furthest point) were you want the have the dirt go and dig off the top soil and put to one side with the rear bucket as you make your way to the pond extension. Then set aside a strip of topsoil two backhoe widths wide for the pond and dig a strip one width wide of subsoil to pond depth and put it on the next stripped part to fill it in as you go along once that is filled in use the rest to start building your road to the place were the dirt will go by digging with the back bucket then pushing it to the stripped road area with the front. Repeat until pond is desired width. Doing it this way you will only travel on topsoil a few times while digging it off then will be on hard pan the rest. The last step would be to move the top soil with the front bucket.

Jeff · June 07, 2023, 08:14:13 PM

I'm putting a video together of the work I did today that may give a better idea of the lay of the land.

I'm going to go to the far end of where I want the pond and dig a deep test hole to see what I have to work with.

Jeff · June 07, 2023, 08:46:29 PM

First Day, First Project. New Experience. Working with a Backhoe. - YouTube

YellowHammer · June 07, 2023, 09:05:51 PM

That looks like FUN! As you say "Every day is a new idea."
I like that phase.

Jeff · June 07, 2023, 09:11:31 PM

Robert, as far as I know that is the first time my brain ever put those words together. I like it too.

Old Greenhorn · June 07, 2023, 09:17:26 PM

I always say 'tomorrow is another day', which to me, means the same thing, it will look different to me tomorrow. But I like you phrasing better. Too bad it's too late to steal it, it yours now.

:D

Walnut Beast · June 07, 2023, 11:08:17 PM

I'm sure your sister will be impressed. Looking good!

thecfarm · June 08, 2023, 06:16:55 AM

Yes, make a video.
I wished I would have taken more of all the projects I have done here.
I've only just started to take my advice.
It's interesting to look back on how it was and how it is.
Good luck with The Dig.

aigheadish · June 08, 2023, 06:38:09 AM

Agreed cfarm. My wife is a monster of getting things done and yard transformations, with her, can happen very quickly but she doesn't ever think to take pictures along the way. I try to remember for her but often forget. It's neat to see what things look like before, during, and after.

Good video Jeff! A tough lesson, if you haven't figured it out already is getting your hoe hoses stuck or cut by or on tree branches. Beware! Also, you are making me think it'd be nice to have one of those rakes for the tractor, looks pretty slick.

Jeff · June 08, 2023, 07:24:26 AM

That rake has been a great tool.

Jeff · June 09, 2023, 07:23:01 AM

Testing! Testing!! I went out and dug a proper hole to see what was really down there. We have over 2" of rain potential by Tuesday, so no time to start a dig in ernest. Normal years it would never be this dry this time of year. I'll be waiting for an extended forecast calling for zero rain for a week.

Digging for Valuable Clues. - YouTube

Old Greenhorn · June 09, 2023, 07:54:08 AM

When you quit work for the day and leaving that hole the way it was I had the same thought about it being a wildlife trap. Glad you fixed that. The alternative is to dig a long ramp on one end of the hole so that anything that falls in could walk out. That would give you some practice on shaping the sides which will come up soon anyway.

Are you going to make the whole pond that deep? Varying the depth might make the fish habitat better with a few deep holes for wintering over.
I love watching the 'Jeff's summer project' video because I know in a few months you will have it nearly done and I learn a lot during your journey.

Resonator · June 09, 2023, 08:16:33 AM

Good to see clay for building a pond.

I agree with OG, if you ever get an animal that ends up in a hole, dig a ramp. Also when doing a large dig for safety they'll dig a bench on the side, to step down into the hole. This also helps minimize the high wall caving off.

Jeff · June 09, 2023, 08:21:55 AM

I wish I had a transit. I'd probably start by shaping new banks to just above the current water level before I even start to dig for any depth. I've also noted that that bowl has a pretty good layer of top soil that could be used elsewhere, but I can just imagine what a slippery surface with just a touch of rain it would become if it was graded off.

Jeff · June 09, 2023, 08:27:08 AM

That hole was 12ft long, the width of the bucket, and 8-9ft deep. The video before time lapse of the actual digging was 23 minutes.

chet · June 09, 2023, 08:32:21 AM

Were you able to come up with a trash pump?

Jeff · June 09, 2023, 08:41:27 AM

Not yet, but I have no intentions of starting to start actually digging yet.

Jeff · June 09, 2023, 08:46:33 AM

One thing I noted as I was digging. If I had someone there with a tracked skid steer moving the dirt as I pulled it out, things would go fast.

Crusarius · June 09, 2023, 09:41:12 AM

I am for hire

Just get me a machine and a time

Jim_Rogers · June 09, 2023, 09:53:38 AM

I believe the black soil is the regular ground material of your area that has had organic vegetation in it, that has rotted to make it black.
Maybe someone who know more about that than me can say if I'm right or not.

Jim Rogers

doc henderson · June 09, 2023, 10:56:53 AM

glad you filled it back for now. A couple day push when you are ready will work. you may want to skim the top soil off and pile separately to use sparingly where you need it. The clay is good news for sealing up the new pond. A track loader working with you is a good idea. they move while working faster and can help clean up the final shape. If the majority of the fill needs to move a ways then a small dump truck would help. there is no hurry but for the rains that will make extra work to pump out. I dug mine with just a skid steer in the day so the slope helps you get in and out. a track loader can float on top of soil and packs it rather than making ruts and getting stuck. you will want a day when you break the dam so you can try to get all the wildlife transferred to the new hole. may have a few or many fish needing moved if they do not go with the flow. the extendable boom with help when you then clear the bottom of the old pond to a similar depth of the new pond area. you can reach the slime without "standing in it". wish I lived closer. 8)

Raider Bill · June 09, 2023, 11:00:36 AM

Rent a dozer for me to help and I'll pay my own way. :D

doc henderson · June 09, 2023, 11:16:18 AM

can you give the dimensions of the new dig area and the depth plan and the total yards of removal can be estimated. it may help you plan for how long this might take and if it makes sense to have additional equipment and help.

newoodguy78 · June 09, 2023, 11:19:42 AM

I you don't have access to a transit. Consider making a water level. All you need is a long length of clear tubing. Set one end fixed to a stake and fill with water. The water in the tube will be at the same elevation no matter where it is. If nothing else it gives you a point of reference to measure off of. Tubing is way cheaper than a transit and you can use it by yourself.

doc henderson · June 09, 2023, 11:28:23 AM

My brother used a hand held transit to get things close doing road construction. I have two transits, a laser and a manual one. you can buy clear tubes that adapt to a garden hose ends and the pond water may be easier to see than clear. I have a set of those you could borrow, but may cost more to ship than buy. you could just fill the pond and the low spots will become obvious.

these are both under 20 bucks.