Digging a pond

[Ola Farm Texas]

I have a Yanmar 1700b, 20 hp.. I have been trying to dig out pond using a box blade and a FEL.. I need an implement to use on the 3 point to drag out the earth. Maybe only 2 ft wide so I dont lose power. Something that helps me dig deeper at a faster rate than the box blade.

I not thinking that it doesn't exist, I think this goup just may be the experts on implements and how they work.

Thanks

Michael

 

[sandman2234]

The thing you need is called a pond scoop. They make them in a couple of widths, 24 and 30 inches. I had a 24" for my Ford 1100 and it did ok with it. I upgraded tractors and gave the 24 to a friend, after I purchased a 30" one. I don't have a loader, so the scoop is used a lot around here.
I had to rebuild the bucket after the first time I used it, as it had been sitting on the ground filled with oak leaves and water. Not a good mixture for steel.
David from jax

 

[CCWKen]

For the price of a new implement, you could have someone come in with a dozer and dig a good-sized pond in a day. Or for that mater, rent a backhoe. If you're having trouble diging with a FEL, no 3-pt gizmo is going to help.

 

[sandman2234]

24" behind a 65 horsepower John Deere

David from jax

 

[ericstac]

For the price of a new implement, you could have someone come in with a dozer and dig a good-sized pond in a day. Or for that mater, rent a backhoe. If you're having trouble diging with a FEL, no 3-pt gizmo is going to help.

I've never seen a price for digging a pond but I always assumed it was a lot. like 5-10 thousand.. is this not true?

 

[Charlton John]

I've never seen a price for digging a pond but I always assumed it was a lot. like 5-10 thousand.. is this not true?

Not sure how big of a pond you are talking about but I think this is way over estimating. Backhoe work here in my area is 80 to 100 and hr. As mentioned a good size hoe can dig a pond in 1/2 day to a day. Then factor in other materiels you may need liner etc... Good luck and post some pics of the project when done. I am planning a pond about 30x30 also some time early fall.

 

[cgreenway]

I've rented a Backhoe from the local rental place 3 times, most recently it was delivered on Friday and they'll pick it back up, with 12.5hrs usage and insurance and all taxes and fees, it costed me $355.00 + fuel, if you have never used one it might take a few minutes at the controls but no big deal, and you can dig a lot in that time, andthen finish or smooth it out with your tractor FEL, just a idea

 

[kthompson]

How big a pond are you trying to dig? Do the math and figure out how much dirt you are trying to move. Then figure how many trips you are looking at with any scoop or equipment for your tractor. If you are digging any size pond with that size tractor I would think it will fill with enough water to be a problem before you can dig it as deep as you probably will want.

Here, they most often dig them with large excavator when possible. About have to due to our water level as when you get down about 3 to 6 feet you will have water.

 

[The Dougster]

In January I had a dozer clean out/enlarge an old stock pond that had leaked for years... set me back $5K.... here in the Republic you won't find many places that has ground water as shallow as some folks have mentioned... we dig out for the pond and wait for good rains to fill it.... BTW, I'm still waiting.. lol

 

[kthompson]

OK, I missed he is in Texas and realize at least some of Texas is little dryer than our land we honestly call low lands. Funny thing is the ground water here does not always fill the pond, but normally you will get at least a foot of water here when you get to say 3 feet if the hole is allowed to sit. That does vary depending on as pointed out the rain.

 

[loulou61]

Around my area in South La. you cantact a local dirt hauler and they will dig your pond free. They are always looking for a place to dig up topsoil and clay dirt. They get free dirt , you get your pond. A win win solution.

 

[ericstac]

Around my area in South La. you cantact a local dirt hauler and they will dig your pond free. They are always looking for a place to dig up topsoil and clay dirt. They get free dirt , you get your pond. A win win solution.

Calling one right now to find out.

 

[ericstac]

Got the skinny and loulou61 is correct.

They will come out and dig that sucker for free and take the top soil and clay.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Id also go with the Slip scoop or pond scoop as its called. I have one on a 30 HP yanmar thats a 24 inch 30 wouldnt be a problem the way it loads up. They have such a thing edge and put your HP in a narrow spot it will dig alot better than a loader bucket. back45 50 years ago many a pond was dug with an 8n Ford 20 hp. A friend built a larger version 30 inches wide 18 inches deep and about 48 inches long and pulled it with a 60 hp Deere 2wheel drive and dug a huge pond.

 

[bal0123]

I built this pond about 2 yrs. ago with my yanmar 2210 and a 5 foot boxblade. Took every evening after work till dark and every Saturday and Sunday from sun up till sun down for about 3 months. Only spent about $80 in fuel. So my 1/4 acer pond ten foot deep took a lot of my time. but was pritty cheap I would say. The 3 pt. dirt scoop I bought towards the end of the pond build. I was not that impressed with it and stuck to the boxblade.

 

[firemen122]

I built this pond about 2 yrs. ago with my yanmar 2210 and a 5 foot boxblade. Took every evening after work till dark and every Saturday and Sunday from sun up till sun down for about 3 months. Only spent about $80 in fuel. So my 1/4 acer pond ten foot deep took a lot of my time. but was pritty cheap I would say. The 3 pt. dirt scoop I bought towards the end of the pond build. I was not that impressed with it and stuck to the boxblade.

Man you have a lot of patience, pond looks great...

 

[CCWKen]

Three months to dig a pond? Yikes! It would take less than one day to do the same pond with a skid loader or backhoe. Rental in these parts would be a little over $200. Three months of my weekends are worth more than that. But I guess there's nothing else to do in Oklahoma.

 

[EddieWalker]

Three months to dig a pond? Yikes! It would take less than one day to do the same pond with a skid loader or backhoe. Rental in these parts would be a little over $200. Three months of my weekends are worth more than that. But I guess there's nothing else to do in Oklahoma.

It took me two months do dig my 3/4 acre pond with my full sized loader backhoe. I guess I'm just not as fast as you are with a skid loader or backhoe. How many yards an hour are you moving. It must be about 100 yards an hour to get a quarter acre pond dug in a day!!! My loader is one yard, so that would be about a load every 40 seconds, give or take. WOW!!!

Very impressive.

Eddie

 

[two_bit_score]

OK, I missed he is in Texas and realize at least some of Texas is little dryer than our land we honestly call low lands. Funny thing is the ground water here does not always fill the pond, but normally you will get at least a foot of water here when you get to say 3 feet if the hole is allowed to sit. That does vary depending on as pointed out the rain.

I think one must define what one calls a 'pond'.

 

[sandman2234]

Might want to do a little reseach on the people that you consider hiring to dig a pond for free, in exchange for the dirt. Neighbor lady had one dug, they took the dirt and left a big hole. They just packed up and left after the good topsoil was gone, leaving her the mess to contend with. No forwarding address, no phone number, probably no insurance, etc.
David from jax