Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site $40-50K 1/2 acre pond

TJ, it all depends on the quality of the dirt involved, and how far it has to be moved to be disposed of. Machine and operator time here is between $100 - $200 per hour depending on the machine, and can be $125/hr just for the machine, not including labor, fuel, delivery (including oversize permits) or maintenance.

When a single machine can burn 5-8 gallons of diesel per hour costs can go up fast.

That's why I like to get things as dry as possible, moving slop costs extra in time and material.

I had roughly a week here in just moving/grading/distributing dirt that was taken out of my pond, and that is with a dump truck, excavator, ASV and a dozer. 2 guys running those 4 pieces of equipment.

That doesn't count the 2500-2700 cubic yards of sand that we took to my parents place, 7 miles away. That was 2 trucks, a guy on an ASV and me on the backhoe loading the trucks. Those were 2 LONG days of moving dirt!!!!!