A few projects I have done recently

CM1995 · Feb 4, 2017

Next project for the same GC but this is for their international operations warehouse. Our scope is removing asphalt and base for the new office addition to the warehouse. 220x30' long. Brought in the bigger equipment and it's probably overkill but that's what we have.

Take what you win and run what you brung.

Landclearer · Feb 5, 2017

It is amazing how things hide behind the hoe on a backhoe, I lost a jeep once

.

A tracer wire and gps, 2 years from now they still won't be able to tell you where it is.

hvy 1ton · Feb 5, 2017

I wonder if a sideshift hoe is any better for loader work

CM1995 · Feb 5, 2017

Landclearer said:
It is amazing how things hide behind the hoe on a backhoe, I lost a jeep once .

It happens to the best of us. In my defense the base plate was just about rusted into at least that makes me feel a little better.

It was a small decorative light pole, I didn't even feel it although I heard the crash against the building. Luckily no one was walking on the sidewalk at the time and nothing was damaged on the building or light pole other than the base itself.

Landclearer said:
A tracer wire and gps, 2 years from now they still won't be able to tell you where it is.

Probably so.

This project reaffirmed why we don't work out of town. This project was special being my alma mater and it was for the largest GC we work for. It was fun for a week and 1/2 but I don't care to do it again.

FSERVICE · Feb 12, 2017

sch 80!!!! are they worried bout heat or what??? that seems like a bit much for a drain!!

CM1995 · Feb 12, 2017

FSERVICE said:
sch 80!!!! are they worried bout heat or what??? that seems like a bit much for a drain!!

Me and the GC's PM VE'd the pipe from 12" ductile to 12" SCH 80 PVC because they wanted to save some money.

The backfill was total #57 stone so ADS pipe would've served the purpose for much less but I digress.

Like a saying goes - "I don't get paid to design it, I get paid to put it in".

jmac · Feb 13, 2017

I see you have D5G. I own a Deere 450H and do the same kind of work. Looking for another dozer and one larger than the 450 seeing that if is too small most of the time. The dealer I would like to buy from has a D6M and a D5G for the same money just different years. Wonder whats your thoughts on 5G ? I have also looked at a D5M.
Going to keep the 450 for the small stuff.

Think maybe the 6 is going to be to big. I move my equipment with my own low boy so that's not a problem.

CM1995 · Feb 14, 2017

JMAC my D5G has been a good dozer, bought it new in 2004. It sips fuel and dependable. Only replaced the thermostat, alternator, blade bushings, park brake switch and had it calibrated during it's 5K hours.

It is a little nose heavy without some weight on the rear end. A ripper or winch for counterweight would make it a better dozer.

I haven't ran a D6M but did own a D6N. A D6N is probably my favorite tractor to run. Ours had a ripper with XL UC. I hauled it on my tag trailer but still required an over width permit due to the blade.

All in all I really like the 5G. When we have a site that has some cut/fill I pair it with our 953, those two can move some dirt on a small site. I'll never get rid of the 5G, I imagine it becoming an antique, siting under a shed on the farm one day.

hvy 1ton · Feb 14, 2017

I really like Deere 700H/J's. They are comparable to a d6k and maybe a 5m, i don't know much about the baby hi-tracks.

jmac · Feb 14, 2017

CM1995 said:
JMAC my D5G has been a good dozer, bought it new in 2004. It sips fuel and dependable. Only replaced the thermostat, alternator, blade bushings, park brake switch and had it calibrated during it's 5K hours.

It is a little nose heavy without some weight on the rear end. A ripper or winch for counterweight would make it a better dozer.

I haven't ran a D6M but did own a D6N. A D6N is probably my favorite tractor to run. Ours had a ripper with XL UC. I hauled it on my tag trailer but still required an over width permit due to the blade.

All in all I really like the 5G. When we have a site that has some cut/fill I pair it with our 953, those two can move some dirt on a small site. I'll never get rid of the 5G, I imagine it becoming an antique, siting under a shed on the farm one day.

Thank you for the answer. When you owned the D6N , that is a very nice machine, did you ever find that it was to large for a site project like on 40,000 sq ft of land with 10,000 square foot building being built.

CM1995 · Feb 14, 2017

jmac said:
Thank you for the answer. When you owned the D6N , that is a very nice machine, did you ever find that it was to large for a site project like on 40,000 sq ft of land with 10,000 square foot building being built.

No problem.

A D6N is not too big for most of what you and I do, it just does it faster. Visibility on the 6N is great and I like the diff steering. There will always be instances where it's too big in tight parking lots making finish grade but it's the right size and power for initial site grading and most all fine grading. I like to have a CTL on site to assist the 5 when fine grading a parking lot to get into the tight radius's and other corners, it would be not different if I had a 6N.

My preference for fine grading a parking lot is a 953 but that's my tractor of choice, my guys like the D5 for that work better.

I'd like to have another 6N but the cost is prohibitive at this time and the 5 is paid for. The 5 paired with the 279 is an efficient fine grading team and the 5 with the 953 can hog some dirt on small sites.

still learn'n · Feb 22, 2017

CM1995 said:
Time for an update :update

Skid bucket finished up -

It started out as a Cat smooth lipped bucket with reversible cutting edge. The shanks are Cat backhoe bucket shanks. The shanks had to be trimmed to fit the profile.

View attachment 163497

End shank and tooth welded at the corner to keep from wearing the side of the bucket out.

View attachment 163499

This time we welded a D ring in the center for an attachment point. From time to time we need to move trailers or hook a chain to pull something. I was worried it would clank around but it doesn't.

View attachment 163500

The old bucket that was built 9 years ago using the same materials. This bucket has been through 3 CTL's during it's life. It's held up very well and other than some denting in the bottom where it wasn't reinforced, it has a lot of life left in it. It's being put on light duty along with the T250 as a backup.

View attachment 163501

The pan trailer needed some maintenance and additions. The equalizer bar needed replacing on the passenger side suspension, some wiring up grades and re-packed the wheel bearings. Also added fork pockets to the side of the trailer to stow away the forks where they wouldn't need to be on the bed of the trailer.

We had a couple of good demo jobs last year and scrap steel is abundant, so we made a trailer stand. It's much easier if you're working at a comfortable level.

View attachment 163502

CM would it be possible to get the part numbers for the shanks and teeth you used for this? We have a 299D and the tooth buckets aren't lasting but about a year for some reason don't know if we are just hard on them or what! one place they are wearing out is on the end corner where you put that tooth.

CM1995 · Feb 22, 2017

The shank or adapter as Cat calls it is Part # 4T-1204. The tooth is a J200.

The shank will have to be trimmed to make the profile work. It's some time with the gas axe and welder but you'll be happy with the results. Don't forget to add some steel to the bottom of the bucket as well. We use old D5G cutting edges and 953 center cutting edges, the thickness works out.

It works best to start with a new bucket. Just a plain Cat smooth lipped bucket with reversible cutting edge and go from there. Used the first one we built today, it's been handed down to our T250 and it's still a good bucket.

still learn'n · Feb 22, 2017

Thanks. Do you notice any difference with the thicker piece in between the teeth that it loads harder? My boss thinks that if I put an extra piece under the ledge of the bucket that it will load to hard I told him I need to put them in so it don't wear the bucket lip off. He thought hard surface would suffice but how it works is it won't get replaced when it wears off where as replaceable pieces would a lot faster.

CM1995 · Feb 22, 2017

We borrowed the design from our 953 bucket which as a shank and tooth on the outside edge of the bucket. It works well for the '53 so it'll work well for the CTL bucket.

There is no hard loading, if anything the bucket loads and grades better due to the increased stiffness. Our T250 and 279D have no problem loading the bucket full. With the 279, the problem is loading it too much and the dirt rolling over the top of the bucket up the arms towards the door. The 279 thinks it has a larger bucket and wants to keep cutting.

CM1995 · Feb 25, 2017

Started a new auto repair facility this week. Small site and small lot but there is nothing like the smell of fresh turned dirt and diesel fuel.

A little 953C love.

Cleared the site and stripped the topsoil. Proof roll Monday morning weather permitting.

Parked up at the end of the day Friday.

CM1995 · Feb 25, 2017

A little silt fence/erosion control technique for those interested.

Silt fence per plan and inspected. I hate manual labor that's why I run machines. In order to prolong the silt fence's life we like to use a brush berm in front of the silt fence to catch the heavy flow of debris in a heavy rain. The brush will catch a lot of sediment and it can be cleaned out with the trackhoe and re-installed.

The goal is to keep the silt off the fence and all the regulatory agencies happy.

Fence installed and brush berm above.

Pic from above the brush berm.

There was a buried fiber optic line in the ROW. Stopped the fence short and used straw wattles for the last stretch. The inspector was OK with it.

Yes there is trash all over the place, not the best area of town.

CM1995 · Mar 5, 2017

A few pics from the week. It rain Monday through Wednesday so the work week was Thursday through Saturday.

Drying the fill out when the sun finally came out. Dirt Doc on the berm next to the auto parts store observing.

View from above to show topography of the small lot. The green stakes represent the cut/fill line.

Struck a deal with the adjacent lot owner to grade the next two lots in exchange for fill for this site. Win, win. View from the adjacent lot where we are borrowing fill.

We are battling too much moisture in the borrow material and spending a lot of time drying it out before placing it so I put my best operator in the seat to see if we could increase production.

I try to have fun at work every chance I get.

CM1995 · Mar 18, 2017

Back at the new auto repair facility stripping the next area of the borrow pit on the lot next door.

Building pad almost complete at the end of the day Friday. We would've worked today but rain was scheduled early this morning and the weather man got it right..

Building pad to the left, parking lot to the right. The area to the left where the 279 and 321 are parked is where the pic of the 953 was taken above. Deepest fill was 8'. We have been battling rain and high moisture - just March in Alabama.

Left a swale for rain water to drain in the parking lot. We'll fill that area Monday and get ready for storm pipe and the detention system.

The "fleet" parked up at the end of the day. Yes I purposely cut the T250 out of the pic.

hvy 1ton · Mar 18, 2017

8' of fill sounds like fun. How are the adjustable forks working out and do the tines pivot?

A few projects I have done recently

Administrator

Senior Member

Senior Member

Administrator

Senior Member

Administrator

Senior Member

Administrator

Senior Member

Senior Member

Administrator

Senior Member

Administrator

Senior Member

Administrator

Administrator

Administrator

Administrator

Administrator

Senior Member