Darius,

I'm jumping in late here but welcome to PB! In reference to your initial post, I can't speak for JCB equipment but I'd like to give you my thoughts on your DIY project. I've got two ponds, both excavated by a contractor. Given enough time and patience one can accomplish great things.

After my first pond, I caught the "hey I can do this" bug and bought a small dozer in preparation for my second pond. Once the reality set in that its not cost/time effective (for me) to push dirt great distances with a small dozer, I decided it was best to bring in the right equipment, a trackhoe and tri-axle dump. I tend to side with Brettski on this one and ML no doubt can back me up on the cost of repairing used dozers.

I still have my dozer and use it to clear my property and make trails in the woods, but I have no regrets about using outside help to get the ponds done.