Digging in a power Line.

[the fox 1940]

I guess here in Nova Scotia it must be spring.
Here are a few pictures of me digging in my power line for my
outside Yard light, with my CK 30 HST Kioti, that I want to install on the light Post.
Hard digging as it was all pit run gravel and mostly ROCKS... Great for a base for the driveway..
You guys say you like pictures so enjoy..
The Fox 1940.

 

[Mousefield]

Always like seeing pics of projects. That's a nice straight :thumbsup: ditch you are digging. With that gravel/rock is looks fairly dry, much nicer than digging than if it was wet. Are you putting sand in the ditch before running the wire? I would think if you just laid the cable in the ditch as is those rocks could end up cutting the wire if vehicles drove over it.
Does look like you had a nice day to do it, see blue sky in your last pic.

 

[MarkV]

I was wondering how you laid wire in your area also. If I had that much rock/gravel then conduit would be the only way to go. Frost heave and fill settling can eat at underground wire insulation.

MarkV

 

[the fox 1940]

I put some sand in the bottom of the ditch and then ran 14/2 wire through a 1/2 inch plastic pipe and then ran that through a 3/4 inch Plastic pipe. Just to make sure it does not get damaged. I ran the pipe right up the post about 25 feet.. Then back filled it.
The ground here is drying up pretty good this spring, and we never got to much frost this winter, only about 6 inches in the ground. Have been having some good weather here of late. So spring is coming.
I installed Geo Themal last year and I buried it about 6 feet down. and have had no trouble so far. Put in about 2000 feet of pipe, The house was warm all winter even when it went to -15C or +5 F.
The fox

 

[Gittyup]

Nice job. I wish were dry here. Too wet to even start the tractor.

 

[the fox 1940]

Nice job. I wish were dry here. Too wet to even start the tractor.

Thanks.
Yeah you guys down your way got a lot of snow I understand this year.
We never got that much this year, so now it is coming onto a early spring I think. Hope it drys up as I want to get back in my back field and do some more clearing of trees and bush.
The Fox

 

[Oleozz]

Fox--Curious as to how long it took you to dig a trench of that length?
Looks nice and straight and your depth seems consistent.

 

[Dmace]

Great pics! I love little projects like that, it's reason I got the backhoe.

What size bucket do you have, 12" or 16"?

 

[the fox 1940]

Great pics! I love little projects like that, it's reason I got the backhoe.

What size bucket do you have, 12" or 16"?

I have a 12 inch bucket . I understand from the previous owner that he made the bucket to that size as he said it was too big for the tractor and was throwing the tractor around. That I have my doubts about. I think it was a case of operator inexperience. But it works like a dream for me. Mind you I did put new pins and bushings in the boom arm ( made my own pins and bushings ) and I keep it greased up good. At lease I won't be over working the tractor that way.

The trench is 18 inches deep and 82 feet long and it took me from 11:05am until about 2 PM to dig it, in that rock pile.. Mind you I did stop for a coffee break too. You say the trench is strait, well I just kept the front end of that old tractor lined up on the garage and kept digging.
The Fox

 

[Dmace]

I have the 16" bucket on my CK20 and it will yank the tractor around if you catch something good but it digs so fast and gets it done quicker. For the big stuff like boulders and stumps, I strap the tractor to another tree or my truck so it doesn't pull the tractor into the hole.

 

[the fox 1940]

I have the 16" bucket on my CK20 and it will yank the tractor around if you catch something good but it digs so fast and gets it done quicker. For the big stuff like boulders and stumps, I strap the tractor to another tree or my truck so it doesn't pull the tractor into the hole.

Yeah a 20 inch would be better, but then I say to myself I'm not in any hurry so it doesn't matter if I'm a little longer doing it , But I know what your saying. Yes I can drag the tractor around too if I get it hooked on something
so the little hoe has got some power for pulling and pushing.
Never had a problem being drug into the hole yet. But that was possible out there digging that trench, man I thought there for awhile I'd never get it dug.
Friend of mine has a CK 20 and he loves it.
The Fox

 

[Dusty1]

It would help a lot if the front bucket was full when using the bh. I always keep mine full before use, or at least use the bucket and feet to pick the tractor up off the ground, that way you have some more leverage and bite in the dirt.

 

[the fox 1940]

It would help a lot if the front bucket was full when using the bh. I always keep mine full before use, or at least use the bucket and feet to pick the tractor up off the ground, that way you have some more leverage and bite in the dirt.

Yeah I keep the front bucket dug in and the front raised off the ground so it won't move around so much too...
I had 2 full size backhoes before this one and I found the same thing with them too. Although you did have a little more power as far as digging and lifting things. But this one does all I have to do and a lot newer and less money.
The Fox

 

[Coyote machine]

Nice work!
Have you considered "Big Foot" pads for the bh's feet. They bolt up to the holes in the feet and widen out the stability of your tractor/backhoe. Just a thought to make it work to the max with less risk of unwanted movement.

 

[Dmace]

Have you considered "Big Foot" pads for the bh's feet. They bolt up to the holes in the feet and widen out the stability of your tractor/backhoe.

I didn't notice you didn't have these until Coyote mentioned it and I looked at the pictures again. I am surprised they sell these backhoes without them, I guess that allows the end user to purchase the ones they want in case they work on pavement or other tender surface.

I have them on mine and they certainly dig into the ground well, I can only imagine how it would drag the tractor around without them. You can see them in this picture along with the bolts to mount them.

 

[the fox 1940]

Nice work!
Have you considered "Big Foot" pads for the bh's feet. They bolt up to the holes in the feet and widen out the stability of your tractor/backhoe. Just a thought to make it work to the max with less risk of unwanted movement.

I have been thinking of putting something under the pads. You can flip the pads over and use the other side with the cleats that are welded on them I think.. I don't think they would work as good as the ones "DMACE" mentioned... His look like they would dig in good, for sure.
I must have a closer look at this. I could weld cleats on the pads I have I suppose.
The Fox.

 

[20 20]

nice pictures

 

[lk30]

Sorry if this is a bit off topic but what is the average R.P.M you run your Kioti at for backhoe work and whats is the max R.P.M that you run your Kioti at for heaver work?

 

[Gittyup]

I made cleats for mine out of big C-channel. Cut C-channel to size of pads. Welded ends on to close them in, like a box. Then drilled holes to match the outrigger feet. The work quite well. They do hold mud sometimes. But, they were essentially free. Not as nice as the big foots though.

 

[Dmace]

Sorry if this is a bit off topic but what is the average R.P.M you run your Kioti at for backhoe work and whats is the max R.P.M that you run your Kioti at for heaver work?

On my CK20HST, I run it at 2000-2200rpms for backhoe work since any higher makes the swing action too fast and it does not add power at all, it just hits the relief valve quicker. For loader work, I run it at around 2500-2750rpms depending on task. I try and run the rpms as low as I can without bogging the engine. I tend to use the loader while driving so I keep the rpms higher then necessary but never needed more then 2750rpms (540pto rpms). This should be true for most tractors and not just the CK20HST.