OK, so I'm starting to plan pond #3 and I have a dirt moving question for someone out there with the experience. I need to move about 6,000 cubic yards of dirt out of a hole. I am looking at whether to use a JD550 or something bigger like a D8. There will be excavator work required too but this dirt is probably going to have to be moved with a dozer. Assuming that is true, is there a rule of thumb that I can use to equate the cost comparison between the two machines. Of course the D8 will cost more but should move dirt faster. If it cost twice as much but moves dirt 4 times faster that would be a bargain. Anybody know a way to figure this? Thanks in advance.
