Tripcrown - Try doing your excavation in such a manner as to use the front bucket for as much work as possible, much more efficient. Of course if you are already getting to water you are likely not going to be able to do so. Is it 4 wheel drive with an extenda-hoe at least?

(I had a sweet backhoe I would have willingly spent day upon day digging with.... too bad my property is almost entirely shale rock)

Owner/Builder of Ottawa Canada's first official off-grid home.

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