Better way to do it?

[Desert Moose]

I have this in the Kioti forum, but haven't received any responses. Thought I'd try it here since it's not specific to any brand of tractor.

I dug a trench the other day for the gas company to run a line to my place. Due to obstructions (garage at west end, and fence at east end), I could not straddle the line, dig the trench, and drive away at the far end. I had to dig the east end as far as I could go, turn around, dig by the garage, and then connect the two trenches.

I tried angling the back of my tractor (Kioti CK25) with the backhoe swing pivot centered over the line, but that would have put the back tire in the trench. I ended up backing square to the line so both back tires were on solid ground. This meant the stabilizers were right on the edge of the trench. As I was digging, the stabilizers kept breaking down the edge of the trench. I finally ended up raising them and dug with the tractor on it's wheels (front bucket down also).

It was a rocking and rolling ride to complete the last bit to connect the trenches. Got it done, but had to gently peck at it so the hoe wouldn't drag the back of the tractor around.

Any tips on what to do in this case if I run into it again? Maybe find a couple of beams to set across the trench so the stabilizer pads have something to land on? What do you guys do?

Sam

 

[dodge man]

With heavier commerical TLB's, I have seen them dig from both ends like you say. When they are done, you are kind of stuck over the trench with no way out. They will leave the end loader bucket down and use the hoe to pick up the back end and swing it out and away from the trench. They will put the hoe bucket on the gound next to the trench. They will then usually just drag the front end over the trench to get the front end over the trench. They will leave the end loader bucket most of the way down to keep the front tires from falling in the trench. This process may drag a little dirt in your hole but its not to bad. If you have a tracked machine it's really easy as the tracks span the trench easy.

 

[Kays Supply]

I have just dug past the open ditch until the ditch is complete and you are setting over a clean ditch. When running a flexable line, I pass it under the machine. Once it is where you want it, you backfill enough ditch to drive out.
A ridgid line takes a little more effort to get the ditch perfect before you move back over to backfill. However I have fell into the clean ditch and had to start all over again.

 

[SFish]

Moose:

The last time I had this problem I found some some unsplit firewood rounds that just fit the ditch and placed them where my tires had to cross. This worked pretty good.

Steve

 

[Ken45101]

Even with a small Kubota backhoe (B21), you can drive the front over the ditch (loader down for support) and then use the backhoe to move the rear end sideways.

I think this is the same thing Dodge Man was saying except that it can be done with smaller units too.

It's kind of hard to describe on a keyboard, it's much easier to see it in person.

 

[LBrown59]

Even with a small Kubota backhoe (B21), you can drive the front over the ditch (loader down for support) and then use the backhoe to move the rear end sideways.

I think this is the same thing Dodge Man was saying except that it can be done with smaller units too.

*It's kind of hard to describe on a keyboard,
**it's much easier to see it in person.

*I don't get what you are saying.
**I need to see it actually being done.

 

[BX2230Dude]

*I don't get what you are saying.
**I need to see it actually being done.

Here you go Lbrown. I scanned these pics from the TLB training book I mentioned in the "FEL Operation thread" from www.equiptrain.com. I used this technique once with my L39 and it worked great. minimal pucker factor.

 

[tommu56]

I do it the way BX2230Dude posted works fine you have to have good soil so the sides don't fall in.
The other concern is 12" cut below some thing 48" wide doesn't leave much on the sides but it is doable.
After you do it a couple times it will get easier I usually just lift the stabilizers clear of the ground not all the way up.

tom

 

[Johndeere3720]

I would dig the trech untit the two ends are close, move the tractor at a 45 angle and dig the rest of the trench. It may sound confusing but it could work.

 

[Johndeere3720]

like this... notice the right stabilizer is up and out of the hole.