Posted by bc on December 04, 2008 at 22:16:16 from (68.88.175.43):
In Reply to: OTdigging a basement posted by Fudpucker on December 04, 2008 at 16:57:15:
Can't hurt by trying except it may go quicker with a loader. Stake it out and get after it. Strip off the top soil with the loader and save it to put back on top. Then you may as well start by trying to dig your footings about 2' wide and a foot deep and keep them level on the bottom. Will be harder trying to dig them later when you get your hole all dug out if you haven't practiced. Don't park to close to the edge. As you dig from one side practice trying to get a straight up and down bank. Practice getting a level bottom. Dig it down a few feet at a time just to practice making a level bottom. You can't really leave any loose dirt in the hole so if you get too deep in places you may need to bring in some gravel or sand to level it. Put down plastic before pouring the floor.
Dig for a while, then use the loader to move the piles and dig again. If you figure out your hole is going to fit a ball and not a box, then quit before you get too big and hire an experienced operator for your hoe or hire something to finish.
Better yet, do everything except the footings with the loader.
Round here, they just use a loader to dig basements in this hard pack clay gumbo. Start cutting a ramp about 15 to 20' back from one edge around the center of a wall. The trick is not to put your ramp where something will go above it like a patio. They poured half of my patio over the old ramp and the settling has caused it to crack at the edge of the ramp. Once you get the hole cleaned out with the loader, use the hoe to dig out the notchouts where your escape windows will go and then do the footings and plumbing last.
Get it close and the concrete contractor can do the final finishing with a skid loader. He will line you out on the dimensions also.
A basement will be big enough that caveins won't be a problem(not like a trench). If your soil is sandy and soft enough that caving banks could be a problem, then you may have to go out 2 or 3' more in each direction.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Usin Your Implements: Bucket Loader - by Curtis Von Fange. Introduction: Dad was raised during the depression years of the thirties. As a kid he worked part time on a farm in Kansas doing many of the manual chores. Some of the more successful farmers of that day had a new time saving device called a tractor. It increased the farm productivity and, in general, made life easier because more work could be done with this 'mechanical beast'. My dad dreamed that some day he would have his own tractor with every implement he could get. When he rea
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
2022 John Deere 5045E, 4wd, front end loader and 3rd function with grapple. 120 hrs, 55k new, must sell
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.