Expert help needed for writer who knows nothing about heavy equipment

[old-iron-habit]

good one

Hey John, assuming the 10 acres are somewhat near square your footage numbers are a little long. If you dug around 40 acres it would only be 5,280 ft around as a 40 is 1/4 mile sq. Still it's a lot of bucketfuls. I think even in the zombie world a loaded gas line should be hit. Might as well make it like real life.

 

[willie59]

I'm a mechanic, don't know squat about how long it would take to dig that trench, cubic yards, fuel consumption, all that stuff that is useless information for a mechanic. However, back to the topic, the story line in a book during a post apocalyptic zombie era, we don't really need details, such as trench wall cave in, we just need a degree of accuracy. Consider the reader of the book, a 5 ft deep trench wide enough for a vehicle, they typically won't think "wait, what about wall cave in?". Or for that matter, they won't think about "how many boulders or formation rock did they encounter while digging". No, they'll be engrossed in the story if there's a degree of accuracy. I mean, if the story read that the trench, 5 ft deep/wide enough for a vehicle, were being done with a shovel, well, yeah that's a stretch. Just taking a guess, a 120 to 200 size excavator would be the most believable machine. And I agree with others, there's plenty of diesel in jobsite, farm, and support truck tanks to provide the fuel. That would be just another layer in the story, going on a fuel run to a nearby farm with a gravity flow fuel tank to fill some cans while watching out for zombies.

 

[Desertwheeler]

If you go the route I finding a large excavator most of them when transported have to e somewhat disassembled meaning the stick and bucket are off so keep in mind if you find a big one on a trailer it might be in pieces. What about using a dozer to build it? A d9 can move a lot of dirt to build a wall and a zombie would be hard pressed to climb on a moving dozer.

 

[digger242j]

However, back to the topic, the story line in a book during a post apocalyptic zombie era, we don't really need details, such as trench wall cave in, we just need a degree of accuracy. Consider the reader of the book, a 5 ft deep trench wide enough for a vehicle, they typically won't think "wait, what about wall cave in?". Or for that matter, they won't think about "how many boulders or formation rock did they encounter while digging". No, they'll be engrossed in the story if there's a degree of accuracy.

I can't agree. At least not completely. I can become un-engrossed in the story if the accuracy isn't there. I bet you can too. Here, try this on:

Willie was asleep again. He'd always been able to get his best rest stretched out across the seat of his F-350 service truck, especially when the time was being billed to the customers. The damned zombie apocalypse had put an end to all that though. It had put an end to his days as a Super Moderator on Heavy Equipment Forums too, but he could still dream, and right now he was dreaming of banning a Chinese spammer peddling cheap NFL jersey knockoffs. Something wasn't right though. Carrie's voice didn't belong in a spam thread, but it was here, and the urgency was unmistakable.

"Willie! Willie, wake up!"

As the cobwebs began to clear, Willie realized that he was here and now, and that there was a problem.

"Look!" Carrie motioned toward the trench, half an acre away.

The zombie horde was rolling a large boulder toward the place where the trench wall had collapsed, and it was obvious that they'd soon be able to climb over it and be inside.

"Damn." Willie spat. "Digger predicted this would happen. He sure knew what he was talking about. It's a damn shame his brains got eaten back in Chapter 17."

"Yeah, it is", Carrie admitted wistfully. "But if he hadn't been written out in Chapter 17 you'd have next to no chance of being the hero in this chapter, and even less chance of becoming my romantic interest after they eat my boyfriend's brain, up ahead in Chapter 23."

Willie didn't like it, but he knew it was true. "What are we gonna do, Carrie?"

"Well, I figure our only chance is this Bobcat 743. But it's an oily mess down there at the bottom. I think the loader control valve seals are shot, but there's no dealer support since the apocalypse."

A quick glance at the hydraulic oil pooling beneath the machine told Willie that Carrie was right again.

"We're in luck though, Carrie. Those seals are the same ones as in the alternator on the F-350. Hand me those pliers."

It took a few minutes, but just as the first zombie crested the trench wall Willie hollered, "Fire her up, Carrie. Thank God they made these babies simple to service."

The 6-71 Detroit Diesel roared to life, as Carrie called through clenched teeth, "You wait here, Willie. I'm going to go kick some zombie butt!"

See? Totally engrossing, until the last line where you're thinking, "Huh? They never put a Detroit in a Bobcat!" and you just put the book down and never pick it up again.

 

[willie59]

Wait, I thought Sarah was writing the story? Seems digger has a sideline hobby we're not aware of, least until now.

That's all I was trying to say digger, Sarah doesn't need all the mathematical minutia of excavation, just mainly the believable accuracy of the details that are included in the story such as the work performed (digging the trench) and the machine being used to perform the work.

 

[RZucker]

I was going to suggest an old school Link-Belt 5800 with a 72 inch bucket, Been there without the zombies.:cool2

 

[SmoothOperator9]

I'm an operator for an underground pipeline company so all we do is dig trenches. This could get done pretty quick if you had a good excavator and operator and soil type is a big factor for sure. But one thing know one has brought up is maintaince on this equipment would be a huge factor on getting anywhere on this trench. These things break down all the time and having someone who knows how to work on them would be key. And not only fuel but all the zert fittings that need greesing too is very important.

 

[Scrub Puller]

Yair . . . (Laughing). Those darn zombies sure are popular, this thread gets some hits!

Cheers.

 

[SmoothOperator9]

An excavator would make an awesome zombie killing vehicle too. Reinforce the cab and attach some huge blades on the sides so when you spin it will cut the zombies up. Maybe modify an attachment to the bucket that has spikes or blades on it too. Or just use the bucket to smash them lol.

 

[norite]

If you need a gas fueled excavator for your plot, you could have an excavator that was repowered with a gas engine, possibly so that gas could be siphoned/pumped out of abandoned cars if diesel is not available anymore. Also a hi performance gas engine would make an excavator move faster due to higher rpms and horsepower.

How about a flame thrower on the end of the boom for cooking attacking zombie hordes?

 

[RZucker]

An excavator would make an awesome zombie killing vehicle too. Reinforce the cab and attach some huge blades on the sides so when you spin it will cut the zombies up. Maybe modify an attachment to the bucket that has spikes or blades on it too. Or just use the bucket to smash them lol.

If said machine had a pin grabber the possibilities are endless... Tree fellers, brush cutters, etc. Of course with a horde of zombies, one of those big compost turning machines could be interesting too.

 

[stumpjumper83]

ever seen the mine clearing flails mounted on tank chassis?

 

[digger242j]

You guys keep up with this and Sarah's going to have to write Willie into the story, just to make the modifications.

 

[RZucker]

ever seen the mine clearing flails mounted on tank chassis?

Yep. That could be messy too.

 

[SmoothOperator9]

If said machine had a pin grabber the possibilities are endless... Tree fellers, brush cutters, etc. Of course with a horde of zombies, one of those big compost turning machines could be interesting too.

Tree feller is that attachment that has 2 arms that grab the tree and a huge circular saw that cuts the tree at the base right. That would be the best. I would just pick up zombies and cut them in half lol.

 

[tdeve11]

Wow, you go away for a night and miss so much!

Thank you, all. You're right in that the reader doesn't need every detail, but I like to have them. They may only get 5% of the facts, but, darn it, those facts will be solid. I am reading and re-reading the responses right now. Forgive me for not responding to everyone personally--but know that I've read and am using your response!

Only problem with setting zombies on fire is that the brain doesn't cook for a while. Which makes for human (zombie) torches coming after you. Not good.
I was also thinking that most job sites/excavation companies would have their own fuel tanks. And y'all answered that question before I could ask. Interesting about the red dye.

Digger and CM1995- I thought about shoring up the sides. Hmm. Didn't consider rainwater.
And CM, I hear you on the Charger or other useless car. My characters use a lot of pickups (and are smart enough to have added gas tanks in the truck beds), although one has a soft spot for a VW bus.
Digger- Awesome, write that book!

Thank you for all that math, JohnC. If only zombies were programmable. There's a movie called Fido, where they use the zombies as slaves. You should check it out.

stumpjumper- Thank you for all the links!

 

[tdeve11]

You guys keep up with this and Sarah's going to have to write Willie into the story, just to make the modifications.

I might just. But I've got a Will, so he needs a different name.

 

[tdeve11]

If said machine had a pin grabber the possibilities are endless... Tree fellers, brush cutters, etc. Of course with a horde of zombies, one of those big compost turning machines could be interesting too.

Great gory movie scene!

 

[monster76]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYKg0gbRFns

that would be crazy for zombie killing

 

[CM1995]

Digger and CM1995- I thought about shoring up the sides. Hmm. Didn't consider rainwater.
And CM, I hear you on the Charger or other useless car. My characters use a lot of pickups (and are smart enough to have added gas tanks in the truck beds), although one has a soft spot for a VW bus.

I think the story would have more grit to it if the characters were smart enough to get the best they have to offer instead of picking a 70's RV over numerous HUMVEE's that litter a road way, for instance - not wanting to reference a very popular TV show that I have made several comments over how stupid the characters are while watching it from my couch...:cool2

Let's face it, a zombie battle is all about attrition since there are so many of them.

Digger- Awesome, write that book!

He don't read to good and his writing is worse.:tong