dirt work 5075m

[jayhawkhusker]

Have a 5075m with FEL, and have to level a 60X40 foot area for a steel building. Need to move about 150 cu yards of dirt. Is this a doable project with the 5075m or should I rent something bigger vs hiring it out?

 

[whis]

Sounds bad, but if you know how to move dirt it will be no problem

 

[econometrics]

Dang, 150 yards of dirt for a 2400sqft pad?

Anyway, that's no problem for the 5075 and a box blade! Just yesterday I moved 14 yards of 1" crushed rock around in about 30 min with my 5075E.

GIT R DONE

 

[jenkinsph]

Have a 5075m with FEL, and have to level a 60X40 foot area for a steel building. Need to move about 150 cu yards of dirt. Is this a doable project with the 5075m or should I rent something bigger vs hiring it out?

Last week I moved about 50 yards with my 4520 and Gannon box blade in 1 hr 20 mins. You might need a smaller tractor for that project.JK

That is a reasonable project for your 5075M and a good box blade. Something you may need to rent if you are filling this pad in is a good vibratory roller to pack it down in 6 inch lifts..

 

[jayhawkhusker]

Last week I moved about 50 yards with my 4520 and Gannon box blade in 1 hr 20 mins. You might need a smaller tractor for that project.JK

That is a reasonable project for your 5075M and a good box blade. Something you may need to rent if you are filling this pad in is a good vibratory roller to pack it down in 6 inch lifts..

I know its a lot but the lower half of the site is about 1.5 feet below the upper half. don't have a box blade but would be willing to get one for the project. Need to move the soil about 150 feet from another area with the FEL and then use the box blade.

 

[jayhawkhusker]

appreciate the info, thanks

 

[jenkinsph]

I know its a lot but the lower half of the site is about 1.5 feet below the upper half. don't have a box blade but would be willing to get one for the project. Need to move the soil about 150 feet from another area with the FEL and then use the box blade.

You can use the fel to move the material quickly if you have an implement to rip up the area you are getting it from. Most of us in contracting would wan't a thick layer of engineered fill to build on too. Compaction is very important if you are pouring a slab.

 

[RDrancher]

You can use the fel to move the material quickly if you have an implement to rip up the area you are getting it from. Most of us in contracting would wan't a thick layer of engineered fill to build on too. Compaction is very important if you are pouring a slab.

Agreed. No problem for your tractor, especially given the short distance to move the material.

Getting folks to import engineered fill around here is a tough nut to crack. I'm pretty sure most of the builders are related to the foundation repair guys and want to keep them in business!

 

[john_bud]

You do know that all the soil has to be removed from the site first? If not, the organic component of the soil will decompose and give settling problems. Especially important if you ever put hard floor like cement down.

I used a smaller tractor for a much larger space, the machine you have won't break a sweat.

If you can, let the pad area settle for a month or more before construction. Water it several times a week to help it settle. It's a lot easier to monkey with the grade before the building goes up!

 

[jayhawkhusker]

You do know that all the soil has to be removed from the site first? If not, the organic component of the soil will decompose and give settling problems. Especially important if you ever put hard floor like cement down.

I used a smaller tractor for a much larger space, the machine you have won't break a sweat.

If you can, let the pad area settle for a month or more before construction. Water it several times a week to help it settle. It's a lot easier to monkey with the grade before the building goes up!

I haven't leveled something that require this much fill (2 feet on one side), thought that if I got major organic material (roots, plants, etc) out and compacted it every 6-12 inches I should be good. The soil I am using is really dense clay, but if I need to bring in material that's the way it goes. Any thoughts?

 

[jenkinsph]

I am sure it varies by locale but in my area engineered fill runs about $8/yd. Might wan't to ask your concrete guy what works best in your area. I would go with a maximum of 6" lifts, when building my pad which was almost 5' on one corner I went with closer to 3" lifts and used a vibratory roller pictured below. I also built a retaining wall for this pad since it was so high that is not pictured.

 

[Verticaltrx]

150yds isn't that much given the right equipment. A good heavy box blade would be very helpful.

I moved about 500yds when I was building my 40x60 shop, but I had several feet difference from one side to the other. I think it took me about 20hrs with my skid steer, including stripping and piling all the topsoil, compacting and finish grading. I used 3-4" lifts and compacted with the skid steer with a full bucket between each. I've also let it settle for a few months before pouring concrete. As others suggested, you'll want to remove all sod and any soft top soil.