Wine Cellar...

[ShortFuse]

So Ive been my own backhoe for this project..

Yes Ive dug it all with my arms, shovel, and wheel barrel. I lack the proper equipment to do this job quickly. Being it only took me 4 days to get this far. Im running low on time because fall is approaching quickly and the grapes will be ready.

I have 8 acres of land and havent needed the use of such equipment till now. I dont know if Ill have use for a backhoe in the future so Im not sure if purchasing one is my best bet. Its an 10 by 12 section and Im looking to go to the depth you can see.

I dont want to flood the forum with more than likely another pricing guide question. Although Im having trouble getting an estimate in my area.

Any ball park ideas? Im just going straight down 3 more feet or so.

A quick second of anyones time would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mjncad]

Welcome.

I'm hurting just looking at what you've done by hand; though it looks good. Why not rent a mini excavator? Cheaper than buying a backhoe, and more versatile.

 

[MarkV]

Yep, mini excavator is the way to go. Longer reach and 360 degree swing would have it dug in less than an hour. Rental around here would be about $300 compared to $8k to buy a small backhoe.

MarkV

 

[ShortFuse]

So a friend that deals with construction came by today to have a look see. He offered to do it for me if I rented a large back hoe. He knows his stuff but just a question of if it matters...large back hoe vs Excavator... pros and cons. Is it just the 360 degree or is the extension that big of a difference?

 

[mjncad]

I haven't used a hoe on a tractor; but have rented a mini-excavator a couple of times. The 360-degree swing is great for dumping spoils in tight places, and it's nice not to have to raise and lower the outriggers every time you need to move as you would on a TLB. The mini-ex is more compact with the boom folded in close to the main body of the machine than a TLB will be; again another plus in tight areas.

I'm still quite impressed with what you did by hand.

 

[wedge40]

How deep are you going to go? That will determine the size of the backhoe. That and the reach required.
I have rented a mini excavator before and most rental places have their equipment listed online with specs. That way there you have an idea before you call for pricing.
I'm not good at estimating depths. How deep are you planning on going?
6', 10' or more?

Wedge

 

[rd_macgregor]

A mini-excavator (or backhoe) would also give you a little more leeway in elaborating on your plan...say, if you wanted it a bit deeper or decided it would be good to put in a drain line in case any water ever gets into the cellar. A mini-ex is very handy and nimble compared to a full-size backhoe, but they also tip over a bit easier, so if you use one, be careful about parking it level to work and especially when dumping a load with the boom extended at the side (don't even try to dig perpendicular to the treads).
BOB

 

[ShortFuse]

How deep are you going to go? That will determine the size of the backhoe. That and the reach required.
I have rented a mini excavator before and most rental places have their equipment listed online with specs. That way there you have an idea before you call for pricing.
I'm not good at estimating depths. How deep are you planning on going?
6', 10' or more?

Wedge

Since it is on a slight slope, the back is around 6 feet now at the deeper depth and the front is around 5 feet at the deeper depth. I think 8 feet in total would be nice being that it was going to be a semi passive cellar. The area around it is pretty open except for a small apple tree on the right of it. I really just want the bulk load out of the way. I dont mind jumping back into it to shave down the sides by hand here and there.

 

[JCB]

So a friend that deals with construction came by today to have a look see. He offered to do it for me if I rented a large back hoe. He knows his stuff but just a question of if it matters...large back hoe vs Excavator... pros and cons. Is it just the 360 degree or is the extension that big of a difference?

Fuse,

Yes. 360 is huge! It is a big difference. An excavator is a digging tool, a backhoe is a compromise. Even at 180 degrees, eventually the hoe can never quite swing far enough to dump spoils without having them tumble back in to your excavated hole. The excavator could dig your hole w/o needing to reposition.

 

[Doloe]

I'm curious how you're planning to move your wine in and out of the cellar. I assume you're crafting your own wine and will have some heavy containers and carboys to move.