Septic Field Installation - Excavator Recommendations

[Challenger 604]

I have a bunch of septic fields to install and was wondering what people here might suggest as the most appropriate excavator for the task. The job sites already have existing housing on them and I would prefer something that didn't do too much damage to the yards.

[Gravel Rat]

A 161 Kubota size machine it has the digging power and your able to dig deep enough for a septic tank. The machine is wide enough to straddle the trench.

I don't know what type of system your using but if it involves plastic infiltrators your trench is fairly wide.

[Hanau]

Rent something in the 2 to 5 ton class.

Excavators are expensive. I just dropped $27K on a 17D this year, open cab. Unless you plan on going into the business full bore renting makes more sense.

If you are going to buy shop for a dealer first. An excavator is just a tool and they're all pretty much the same. It's the dealer and the support they give that makes the difference.

Find a good dealer that makes you feel warm and fuzzy, a dealer that you click with, and buy what he's selling.

[AWJ Services]

I have a bunch of septic fields to install and was wondering what people here might suggest as the most appropriate excavator for the task. The job sites already have existing housing on them and I would prefer something that didn't do too much damage to the yards.

What type of systems do you install?

Most machines in a 5/6 ton class will damage the yard when turning.

[ksss]

What type of systems do you install?

Most machines in a 5/6 ton class will damage the yard when turning.


The yard prettty much gets trashed anyway when putting in a replacement drainfield. I like the 5-6 ton size for they jobs. Although you can get away with a slightly smaller machine. I am refering to Infiltrator type systems.

[Danny Boy]

I have the Kubota 161 and I bet it would be just the right combination of size and digging power plus it can lift over 4000 pounds in close if needed, the 4 foot grading bucket is also great for back filling and clean up...

[Dirt Digger2]

if you are using a mini-hoe your going to need a skid loader then too


go with a backhoe

[AWJ Services]

if you are using a mini-hoe your going to need a skid loader then too


go with a backhoe

I can cover my trenches up faster with my KX161 than you can with a backhoe in the conditions I work in.

[Dirt Digger2]

thats good....but can you carry stone, move tanks around, push piles then scrape the mud off the road at the end of the day too?

im not debating that a mini-ex isn't a good machine for septic installs...they are great...but they have to be paired with a support machine as well...because last time i checked there is no truck driver that is going to dump his load into trenches 3 or 4 times down the line then sit there and wait until you dig the next trench...he has to have something to carry the stone from the pile to the trench

[Gravel Rat]

Rubber tired backhoes used to be used but with todays septic fields a mini excavator does a much more cleaner job. Where you can put a drain field nowwadays you have no hope in h*ll taking a backhoe into.

A plastic septic tank is used so you don't need a bigger machine to set the tank.

The new system types you can put a drainfield anywhere so you need a machine that can go anywhere.

[J. Peterson Grading]

How did you bring in "a bunch of Septic fields to install" and not know what size machine to use?

J.

[Gravel Rat]

I don't know about Ontario but out here in B.C. you need to be a certified installer or all you can do is do the digging and a engineer installs the systems.

[AWJ Services]

thats good....but can you carry stone, move tanks around, push piles then scrape the mud off the road at the end of the day too?

im not debating that a mini-ex isn't a good machine for septic installs...they are great...but they have to be paired with a support machine as well...because last time i checked there is no truck driver that is going to dump his load into trenches 3 or 4 times down the line then sit there and wait until you dig the next trench...he has to have something to carry the stone from the pile to the trench

Gravel systems are a thing of the past here.
Most of my replacement jobs are in tight areas.A Backhoe just will not cut it.
The truck sets tanks here or either I make them bring them in 2 peices.

I will agree with you 100% on everything you said but that is why I asked him what type of systems he would be installing.
That is also why I said in my conditions and types of jobs I do a Min ex is ideal.

[Gravel Rat]

A mini ex works the best here aswell the fields are smaller the trenches are close together and a drainfield that uses stone is long gone. Now these new peat moss systems are used so you don't even need much of a drainfield at all.

Pretty hard to find a contractor now that even wants to do septic systems its too much B.S. to go through.

[jefftb]

I've spent 18 years involved in utility construction and alternative or decentralized sewer systems.

I smell market.

Literally. :laugh::cool2:

[stuvecorp]

I've spent 18 years involved in utility construction and alternative or decentralized sewer systems.

I smell market.

Literally. :laugh::cool2:

That's funny.:laugh:

[Challenger 604]

Thanks everyone. We have decided a mini excavator is the way to go.