Dig septic bed with front end loader

[wacnstac]

Hello, I am faced with digging a rectangular septic bed with size of 14' x 40'. Inspector requires open bed as opposed to trenches. All I have is a Kubota 2650 with FEL. Not sure a backhoe (at least ones without a lot of size) would be of much help anyway with a bed.

I do have a box blade with scarifiers to loosen up the top soil and grass.

The soil is pure sand. Anyone tackle such a project with a FEL? I know I will need a ramp to get down the desired depth. I don't know how long the ramp will need to be. I'm really stressed about keeping this level with a FEL. I suppose I could use the box blade to help with that.

Getting the rocks and the backfill in around the pipes is another story!

There are so many videos on YouTube on doing this with trenches but I can't find any with an open bed design.

 

[chim]

The missing dimension (desired depth) is important. Since you're talking about a ramp, I'm assuming it is feet and not inches. You CAN do almost anything. It's a matter of how much time you can spend on it.

Back in the early 90's I put a volleyball court (sand) in for our older boys. I only had the Ford 1210 with a back blade and dirt scoop. It was a few inches deep at one end and almost a foot at the other end. The spoils were used to build up around it to reduce digging. It was a lot of work. they barely used it and 20 years later I dug it all out and used it for backfill when we buried a 1000 gallon propane tank.

 

[Jrasband]

I imagine your inspector might not be happy with the results of using your front end loader for this. If you disturb the soil in excess he might make your replan. Your going to need a laser transit to do it.

 

[2manyrocks]

I might try digging sand with a rear mounted pond scoop but don't know if the 2650 can handle it on the rear 3pt. I see used pond scoops for sale for $175 or so pretty often in Middle Tennessee.

If rock is buried beneath the sand, could bend your loader.

 

[wacnstac]

I imagine your inspector might not be happy with the results of using your front end loader for this. If you disturb the soil in excess he might make your replan. Your going to need a laser transit to do it.

I do have a laser transit. Inspector is only going to see the perforated pipe laterals in bed of gravel before backfilling. He won't see how it was dug. It is pure sand. Not like the bottom of the bed won't absorb water after I am done.

 

[wacnstac]

I might try digging sand with a rear mounted pond scoop but don't know if the 2650 can handle it on the rear 3pt. I see used pond scoops for sale for $175 or so pretty often in Middle Tennessee.

If rock is buried beneath the sand, could bend your loader.

There is not rock. Only sand.

 

[wacnstac]

The missing dimension (desired depth) is important. Since you're talking about a ramp, I'm assuming it is feet and not inches. You CAN do almost anything. It's a matter of how much time you can spend on it.

Back in the early 90's I put a volleyball court (sand) in for our older boys. I only had the Ford 1210 with a back blade and dirt scoop. It was a few inches deep at one end and almost a foot at the other end. The spoils were used to build up around it to reduce digging. It was a lot of work. they barely used it and 20 years later I dug it all out and used it for backfill when we buried a 1000 gallon propane tank.

Depth would be around 24".

 

[oldnslo]

Is this sugar sand or sand that will pack and carry the weight of tractor with a bucket full of sand? Will traction be a problem when trying to dig or move.

Sand is also heavy so may require some significant ballast on rear to offset load on the loader.

Might want to experiment with how this works before committing to final depth grade.

 

[wacnstac]

Is this sugar sand or sand that will pack and carry the weight of tractor with a bucket full of sand? Will traction be a problem when trying to dig or move.

Sand is also heavy so may require some significant ballast on rear to offset load on the loader.

Might want to experiment with how this works before committing to final depth grade.

I wouldn't call it sugar sand. I would think if we keep it moist traction with 4WD should not be a problem. My rears are loaded and I can put an implement on the back for extra ballast.

 

[wacnstac]

My biggest concerns are how long the ramp will need to be, and how to at least get a half baked level grade for the bed. I do have a laser transit but am not sure how to make use of it with a FEL. I guess with depth stakes. At the end there will be some hand leveling for sure. Could also use box blade to pull dirt out and further help with leveling.

Then there is the issue of getting the gravel in for the base of the perforated pipe laterals. Honest not sure a backhoe would help.

Like I said, lots of videos showing this done with backhoe and trenches, but none with a septic bed.

 

[oldnslo]

Backhoe is used to dig basements so would be same method for this septic bed. Depending on hoe size or reach may have to have some method of moving the dirt away from the hole. I suspect maintaining grade would be a little easier with the hoe vs loader since loader would be following tractor movement up, down and side to side.

 

[2manyrocks]

I dug a trench system with a backhoe using a water level to establish the required pitch. The inspector used a laser level to check it.

What you might do is dig one pass and then set a string line as a reference because you need some visual reference to see how far to dig.

 

[MossRoad]

Hello, I am faced with digging a rectangular septic bed with size of 14' x 40'. Inspector requires open bed as opposed to trenches. All I have is a Kubota 2650 with FEL. Not sure a backhoe (at least ones without a lot of size) would be of much help anyway with a bed.

I do have a box blade with scarifiers to loosen up the top soil and grass.

The soil is pure sand. Anyone tackle such a project with a FEL? I know I will need a ramp to get down the desired depth. I don't know how long the ramp will need to be. I'm really stressed about keeping this level with a FEL. I suppose I could use the box blade to help with that.

Getting the rocks and the backfill in around the pipes is another story!

There are so many videos on YouTube on doing this with trenches but I can't find any with an open bed design.

At 2' deep that's about 42 cubic yards of sand. More if the edges collapse. 2' deep shouldn't require that long of a ramp. Think of it this way....

2' deep ramp only 2' long would be 45 degree angle.
8' long would be only about 14 degrees.
12' long would be under 10 degrees.

 

[MossRoad]

As for level, use grade stakes if you have a laser level. I used a water level when I excavated and poured the pad for our garage. Pretty simple and very accurate.

 

[dodge man]

I actually think a FEL would do a better job in this case than a backhoe. Moss road is correct on ramp length. I like to think in ratios though. For example a 4 to 1 slope seems steep on a tractor but not so steep you can’t drive it which gives you a ramp 8 feet long. 10 foot long ramp would be good.

 

[wacnstac]

I actually think a FEL would do a better job in this case than a backhoe. Moss road is correct on ramp length. I like to think in ratios though. For example a 4 to 1 slope seems steep on a tractor but not so steep you can’t drive it which gives you a ramp 8 feet long. 10 foot long ramp would be good.

Given that I'm digging a bed and not a trench I tend to agree. My sandy dirt is easy digging. Only difficulty is keeping things level with a FEL. Once the tractor is tilted, so is the loader.

 

[dodge man]

I’m no expert operator but I think it’ll be easier than you think. The nice thing about sand is you can back drag a little if you get a low spot.

 

[duffer]

Have you thought about mounting the receiver for the laser level on the super-structure above your bucket? Lay your bucket flat on the ground, then mount the receiver at a point above the top of the bucket (protected from material and dumping) and the indicator lights would give you a pretty good read on your depth and insure a flat base. I'd start by only going down 6", using this method to "practice" before going down to your final depth.

FWIW I've taken my tractor down a 45°+ slope to get into a 5' deep drainage ditch we dug. No problem if you back down the ramp.

 

[chim]

Given that I'm digging a bed and not a trench I tend to agree. My sandy dirt is easy digging. Only difficulty is keeping things level with a FEL. Once the tractor is tilted, so is the loader.

Had experience with that while harvesting topsoil. Best to establish a level spot to work away from.

 

[Doorman63]

Over dig the depth a bit.
Set some 2x4 at the outside edges
Level them with transit/laser level.
Fill in between 2x4s.

Done!