Diggin Idaho Style

[ksss]

Here is water storage tank we dug in a water line install to the cabin. It was dam steep. The jump from where the tank went in to the start of the slope was vertical and then it was only 1.5:1 a little further down.

[Gravel Rat]

That is a ugly little job. It is same stuff we have here with people that don't want to remove any trees.

That looks like a septic tank :laugh:

[ksss]

That is a ugly little job. It is same stuff we have here with people that don't want to remove any trees.

That looks like a septic tank :laugh:


It was an ugly little job. I leveled the machine off as much as possible by putting the blade down hill and then depressing it as far as it would go. It kept the machine from starving for oil anyway. It basically was a septic tank.

[Gravel Rat]

The tough part is dealing with those trees (Birch ? ).

Lots of jobs here where your trenching through the bush for a water line to a house. God forbid you can remove any trees so your snaking your way through. After you ripped all the roots out the trees never survive.

The more stupid the homeowner is more its going to cost them.

Yep that looks steep from the pictures. Its also tough ground to work on because you can't see the holes and dips because of the grass and bush.

The one side of the machine falls into a dip you can't see lots of fun :laugh:

[Junior M]

That looks like a really sucky job.. Are you in any of those pics, KSSS?

[RockSet N' Grade]

jlm........see the guy standing by the excavator with the extended forehead.......that is not KSSS. see the guy posing in the excavator resting his hand in a contemplative gesture on his chin while the Potato Chip daily newspaper snaps a front page photo?

[Junior M]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Yep, I bet thats him, he's to high and mighty as an operator to get out of the machine! :laugh:

I think KSSS needs to bath his equipment, that tak looks pretty dirty...

[bobcat_ron]

That is some nice looking soil for a septic feild.

[ksss]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Yep, I bet thats him, he's to high and mighty as an operator to get out of the machine! :laugh:

I think KSSS needs to bath his equipment, that tak looks pretty dirty...


Yea the TK was dirty. You will also notice that the front glass is shattered. That happed hauling it up to that job. I was 500 down before I even got the machine to the top of the hill.

[ksss]

jlm........see the guy standing by the excavator with the extended forehead.......that is not KSSS. see the guy posing in the excavator resting his hand in a contemplative gesture on his chin while the Potato Chip daily newspaper snaps a front page photo?

Thats funny especially the extended forehead thing. Actually though it is the Potato Chip Chronicles

[Junior M]

That always sucks, atleast your GMC didnt break down.. :laugh: How do you like the side shift boom?

[74inchShovel]

That 200# poly is great stuff, the only down side it has is that it seems to attract gophers and moles, the little bastards will chew a hole right through the pipe. After which they meet a fitting death.

[ksss]

That always sucks, atleast your GMC didnt break down.. :laugh: How do you like the side shift boom?

No the GMC got me to the top of the hill as it always does. The side shift boom is a great feature. Its hard to describe until you have run it. It is much better than a typical swing boom I think. It would be hard to go back to a swing boom after running it.

[ksss]

That 200# poly is great stuff, the only down side it has is that it seems to attract gophers and moles, the little bastards will chew a hole right through the pipe. After which they meet a fitting death.

The 200# poly is pretty much the standard here. I do run across some of the blue 300 psi stuff. That is pain as the fittings are different and its hard to find the components sometimes. The visual on the gophers is good for a laugh.

[Junior M]

No the GMC got me to the top of the hill as it always does. The side shift boom is a great feature. Its hard to describe until you have run it. It is much better than a typical swing boom I think. It would be hard to go back to a swing boom after running it.
Barely!! :laugh: It basically works the same as the side shift on like a JCB backhoe?

[ksss]

Barely!! :laugh: It basically works the same as the side shift on like a JCB backhoe?

Kinda like that, except when slide to the right all the way you can bring the boom up next to the cab. Great for setting tall walls and for loading trucks. It nice being able to rotate the boom out of the way when you digging.

[bobcat_ron]

Kinda like that, except when slide to the right all the way you can bring the boom up next to the cab. Great for setting tall walls and for loading trucks. It nice being able to rotate the boom out of the way when you digging.

And it also has a feature that Takeuchi put in to the boom that the boom will completely swing inside it's own radius when the boom is beside the cab (right side) but if it's in front, a sensor stops the hydraulic flow to the boom cylinders to keep it away from hitting the cab, Komatsu had that for a while, but it never caught on, now Takeuchi has perfected it.
The STS boom is a feature that will most likely sway me to Takeuchi, but it has a major draw back when digging in low confined areas when you can't swing it to the right side to swing in your radius, a swing boom would still work better for me.

[ksss]

And it also has a feature that Takeuchi put in to the boom that the boom will completely swing inside it's own radius when the boom is beside the cab (right side) but if it's in front, a sensor stops the hydraulic flow to the boom cylinders to keep it away from hitting the cab, Komatsu had that for a while, but it never caught on, now Takeuchi has perfected it.
The STS boom is a feature that will most likely sway me to Takeuchi, but it has a major draw back when digging in low confined areas when you can't swing it to the right side to swing in your radius, a swing boom would still work better for me.


That is true, but if you keep the boom lower you avoid the stops that protect the cab and then you can slide the boom from left to right much like a regular swing boom. However you cant bring the boom up beside the cab if overhead is an issue. The boom and stick on the this machine are long so it can be challenging digging inside buildings which seems to be the biggest issue. However with the coupler I can hit 13' in depth. That for me is a bigger asset than the overhead restrictions. The dig depth combined with the breakout put it well within the specs of most 17K machines (other than the lighter weight of course). You always have the Hitachi 27 for those tight overhead jobs.

[Scag48]

Good times it looks like. How about some teeth on that bucket? I know you got money in the budget for that! Haha. Well, maybe you don't now since you've lost the front glass. Just another day in Potato Land.

How did the Tak handle 1.5:1? I've dug on a 1.5:1 in a 120, but with steel tracks which I prefer over rubber. However, the blade comes in handle when levelling yourself up. A mini with steel tracks is a hill climbing machine, I'd take a 5 ton machine with steel just about anywhere. To this day the greatest pucker factor I've ever done was brining a 400 up and out of a finished parking garage floor hole, 23 feet up at 1:1. That was a scary ride.

[bobcat_ron]

That is true, but if you keep the boom lower you avoid the stops that protect the cab and then you can slide the boom from left to right much like a regular swing boom. However you cant bring the boom up beside the cab if overhead is an issue. The boom and stick on the this machine are long so it can be challenging digging inside buildings which seems to be the biggest issue. However with the coupler I can hit 13' in depth. That for me is a bigger asset than the overhead restrictions. The dig depth combined with the breakout put it well within the specs of most 17K machines (other than the lighter weight of course). You always have the Hitachi 27 for those tight overhead jobs.


That Hitachi will get traded off @ 1200 hours, PDQ right now, it's at 955 hours, I want to take advantage of this "recession", my brother just bought a loaded '08 Dodge Ram today, and he practically stole it.

[Junior M]

KSSS, How much does that machine wieght? I'd like to demo one, our tak dealer here just started selling mini ex's...

Ronnie, whatd he buy?

[ksss]

KSSS, How much does that machine wieght? I'd like to demo one, our tak dealer here just started selling mini ex's...

Ronnie, whatd he buy?

Its about 12.5 with the open ROPS. I am not sure what the cab adds. It will be more of a pull than the 335 is I can assure. However its a digger.

They released the 138 last year I think which about the same size as a 335 just with the STS boom. They also make a larger one than mine the 180. My neighbor has one. Its a big ass machine.

[ksss]

Good times it looks like. How about some teeth on that bucket? I know you got money in the budget for that! Haha. Well, maybe you don't now since you've lost the front glass. Just another day in Potato Land.

How did the Tak handle 1.5:1? I've dug on a 1.5:1 in a 120, but with steel tracks which I prefer over rubber. However, the blade comes in handle when levelling yourself up. A mini with steel tracks is a hill climbing machine, I'd take a 5 ton machine with steel just about anywhere. To this day the greatest pucker factor I've ever done was brining a 400 up and out of a finished parking garage floor hole, 23 feet up at 1:1. That was a scary ride.

The contractor (that would be the sloped forehead guy) thought I lost my mind. It really wasn't that bad. The blade made all the difference. Without being able level somewhat I think the Yanmar would have started knocking.

[Junior M]

Its about 12.5 with the open ROPS. I am not sure what the cab adds. It will be more of a pull than the 335 is I can assure. However its a digger.

They released the 138 last year I think which about the same size as a 335 just with the STS boom. They also make a larger one than mine the 180. My neighbor has one. Its a big ass machine.
I just really like that sliding boom, I would give us an alot of an advantage, we are in tight area's, hieght isnt a problem, my only concern is the zts, is the machine bouncy? sorry for all the questions, the tak dealership is way away in a not so nice nieghborhood, I dont wanna go all the way down there to be dissappointed...


That place doesnt look that steep..

[ksss]

I just really like that sliding boom, I would give us an alot of an advantage, we are in tight area's, hieght isnt a problem, my only concern is the zts, is the machine bouncy? sorry for all the questions, the tak dealership is way away in a not so nice nieghborhood, I dont wanna go all the way down there to be dissappointed...


That place doesnt look that steep.. If you look at the picture taken from the bottom up to where the TK is sitting you get a better idea of how steep it is. It was difficult to walk up without pulling on vegatation to get to the top.

The machine is rock solid. I have a 50" cleanout bucket from a EX60 and full of pitrun I can swing at full extension without tipping. Doesn't stop that load on a dime at full extension but you get the idea.

[Scag48]

The contractor (that would be the sloped forehead guy) thought I lost my mind. It really wasn't that bad. The blade made all the difference. Without being able level somewhat I think the Yanmar would have started knocking.

Having the blade does help quite a bit. While I've done some digging on 1.5:1 I don't like doing it. I'll walk up and down slopes all day but digging on slopes that steep is a crap shoot, sometimes everything goes well, other times you battle it all day. I slid backwards 3 times pulling the 400 up that 1:1, that's a big hoe to be running up that crap and I honestly hope I don't have to do it again.

[Gravel Rat]

I have had bobcat mini on a slope like the one KSSS was working on its why I hate rubber tracks. Soon as you lift the blade the machine would slide like a tobogan.

You get used to working on slopes you just need to know your machine. The worst feeling is when the tracks all of a sudden break traction and you start sliding :laugh:

[Dirtman2007]

Looks like the tak worked good. I really like the tak mini excavators too. I've got several hours on Tb175. I do a bunch of steep hill digs when I replace old stand pipes on ponds and the blade makes the biggest difference in the world. I'll take the big machines on slopes too. just keep your bucket on the low side and your feet on the windsheild and you'll be alright. 36" pads help too LOL


http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee145/Letsdig18/017-2.jpg

[Junior M]

I bet that was fun on the dozer!!

[KCfireman]

Looks like the tak worked good. I really like the tak mini excavators too. I've got several hours on Tb175. I do a bunch of steep hill digs when I replace old stand pipes on ponds and the blade makes the biggest difference in the world. I'll take the big machines on slopes too. just keep your bucket on the low side and your feet on the windsheild and you'll be alright. 36" pads help too LOL


http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee145/Letsdig18/017-2.jpgoh my sweet jesus!

[SellingIron]

[QUOTE my brother just bought a loaded '08 Dodge Ram today, and he practically stole it.[/QUOTE]

Hey B-Ron, What model did he get:1500,2500,3500??? I pull with an 2006 3500 quad cad.Works great...

[Junior M]

Off course it does its a Dodge! :weightlifter:

[DUSTYCEDAR]

I think i wet my pants a little on the last pic

[bobcat_ron]

[QUOTE my brother just bought a loaded '08 Dodge Ram today, and he practically stole it.

Hey B-Ron, What model did he get:1500,2500,3500??? I pull with an 2006 3500 quad cad.Works great...[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure, all I know is it's black, 4 doors, 4 wheel drive, diesel and a 6 speed auto and all the other bells and whistles that make a dealership wanna get rid of it.

[Dirtman2007]

I think i wet my pants a little on the last pic

Come on it's really not that bad. I could still spin 360, just had to keep the bucket real low. I had to point the tracks slightly uphill in that pic as it would try to stand on one track if I picked the bucket up. The hardest part way trying to get back in the cab after I took the picture.

[YellowDogSVC]

All I see is dirt. Wish we had some of that. We have about 2 inches of dirt and the rest is rock! :)

[coopers]

Our dirt is much nicer than KSSS's... :)

[Scag48]

Come on it's really not that bad. I could still spin 360, just had to keep the bucket real low. I had to point the tracks slightly uphill in that pic as it would try to stand on one track if I picked the bucket up. The hardest part way trying to get back in the cab after I took the picture.

You're about 1.5:1 or so in that pic, right? Have you found that having wider pads helps substantially? That damn 400 I was in had wide pads and it was like riding a sled as it slipped 3 times before I got out. I'd like to try it with narrower pads and feel the difference.

[ksss]

Our dirt is much nicer than KSSS's... :)

Yea almost everwhere you dig here is rock. Only in the Valley is there places where it is straight dirt, but there are not many like that. The material on that hill was dirt/rock. Sometimes its just rock when you get up into the mnts.

[SuperDuty335]

I have had bobcat mini on a slope like the one KSSS was working on its why I hate rubber tracks. Soon as you lift the blade the machine would slide like a tobogan.

You get used to working on slopes you just need to know your machine. The worst feeling is when the tracks all of a sudden break traction and you start sliding :laugh:

I thought a "tobogan" is what you wear to keep your ears warm?:rolleyes:

[Dirtman2007]

You're about 1.5:1 or so in that pic, right? Have you found that having wider pads helps substantially? That damn 400 I was in had wide pads and it was like riding a sled as it slipped 3 times before I got out. I'd like to try it with narrower pads and feel the difference.

It was between a 4:1 and 3:1 slope. no boubt that wider pads make it for stable as your foot print is bigger. I've got a 1:1 slope to work on tomorrow, 40' straight up amost, it's impossible to walk up... it'll be fun on the dozer!

[Gravel Rat]

Working on a steep slope that is dirt is fine but a slope of bald rock forget it you might aswell be working on ice.

A steep slope and a dozer is different. You should see where the catskinners go with dozers in the gravel mines. When your pushing gravel over the hill your on a 1 to 1 slope. Keep pushing the material down the hill side to the loaders below which are running the material to the jaw crusher.

The bobcat mini I was using on my famillies property was a little touchy. When your using the seat belt to keep yourself from sliding out of the seat it is steep. Like I said soon as I lifted the blade the machine just wanted to slide. If I had a mini with steel tracks it wouldn't be a problem but rubber tracks on wet rock and grass is like a tire on wet grass.

Rubber tracks are good if your doing city work like landscaping where your trying not to cause damage to finished surfaces like somebodies concrete driveway.

For the job KSSS was doing rubber tracks are not the greatest.

It isn't a good feeling moon walking with a excavator aka the tracks are moving forward but you are not :laugh:

You get used to working on slopes and after awhile it doesn't bother you. If the slope is steep enough then you will have to bench a spot for you to sit.

But like I said the slipperiest place to work on is a big bald chunk of granite. You get that when your scraping off a rock ledge for a house. Get all the dirt scraped off and the building contractor powerwashes it off and starts the form work.

One of the jobs a friend of mine was excavating on the rock ledge had a 30 foot drop to the ground below. Go over in the excavator and you would be dead. Slippery rock and your trying to get close to the edge. The only way you could have done the job is like what he did was leave the existing dirt and did the drop off edge first. Get all the dirt scraped off and work his way back without the dirt the machine wouldn't sit on the rock it would just slide.

Scary stuff when your sitting in a hoe looking over the edge all it would have taken was a slight slip and a one way trip to the bottom.

[qps]

jlm........see the guy standing by the excavator with the extended forehead.......that is not KSSS. see the guy posing in the excavator resting his hand in a contemplative gesture on his chin while the Potato Chip daily newspaper snaps a front page photo?

watch the extended forehead comments:nono::drinkup:

[Junior M]

The steepest I've ever been was pulling tree's out and the ass end of the 430 came up, I had to put my feet against the rops from coming out of the cab. The steepest I ever been on the 190 was to its tipping point..

[Gravel Rat]

How many members here have chrome domes :laugh:

I'am lucky I haven't lost any of my hair but a guy I went to school with the same age (32) he is bald as a billard ball :dizzy:

I have been on slopes where you take the boom/bucket reach out with the bucket down walk the machine to the sprockets then let the machine down and walk down the slope.

The worst thing on a slope is a rubber tired backhoe I have had lots of scares in the backhoe I used to run. Having a chapped azz or puckered up butt cheeks isn't fun. Only once did I think I was going to loose it and flop over it was scareee.

Actually the most scariest thing to operate is a forklift with the load in the air going along a side sloped paved parking lot. In the air I mean at 15-20 feet to clear all the opjects with 20 foot long lumber weighing 3 ton. I never did like carrying the loads that high but you had no choice there was fences and parked cars to deal with. A 11,000lb capacity forklift is heavy but when you have 6,000 pounds up in the air and on a side slope you can flop over easy.

[qps]

I vote for a pic of GR.....post it....lets meet the man behind the maddness:canadaflag:

[Junior M]

I vote for a pic of GR.....post it....lets meet the man behind the maddness:canadaflag:
I second that! We've already seen me, and KSSS and there's some of other people on here floating around,, its your turn GR!!

[Dirtman2007]

I second that! We've already seen me, and KSSS and there's some of other people on here floating around,, its your turn GR!!

We should do a post where the members post a picture of themselves. You want too? I'll start it off...

[bobcat_ron]

I'm totally in.

[ksss]

I vote for a pic of GR.....post it....lets meet the man behind the maddness:canadaflag:

Thats the hardest I have laughed all day.:laugh:

[Junior M]

We should do a post where the members post a picture of themselves. You want too? I'll start it off...
Alright.. Lets start a new thread though, God forbid we hijack KSSS's poor thread anymore... :laugh:

I dont have any different pics than the one I've already posted of me on the 335 on this computer...