Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations how long to build....?

I realize this question is loaded with "it all depends", but if you could make a general guess as to how long it would take to dig this pond, it would be helpful.

Pond stats;

1/4 acre
mostly excavation, with a small 2-3' dam
"dam" length is roughly 125'
core trench
shape is kinda like a flattened heart
depth 8-10'
equipment--large track hoe and bull dozer.
spoil dirt to be deposited very close-30-50'

I am just looking for ball park figures here. Hopefully my test pits are going to be dug this afternoon and I will be sitting down to work out the details of the project. More hopeful is that the test pits show the project is a go.

Thanks,

Joe

Joe, As you said "its loaded question". How big a track hoe and bulldozer? What size of a bucket on the track hoe? Do you have 2 operators for the equipment? What is the terrain around the new pond like? There are a lot of other factors that could play into it also. Those are just some off the top of my head.

I don't know the exact details on the equipment, but I will find out today. I got the impression that he was going to bring a "large one" based on our initial conversation. I don't remember anything about the bull dozer size. Two operators, yes. The terrain is a mostly flat shelf that slopes gently toward a creek bottom.

Joe

There is a big difference between a D8 dozer and and a D3 and the same thing goes with track hoes. Example: I have a Gradall G3WD, It has a 5 foot bucket that holds about a yard of dirt with each scoop but they also make 1 foot wide bucket for the same machine that is used for digging trench for water lines or electrical lines. The same thing goes as far as reach goes on the track hoe some have longer than others making it possible to reach most of the digging with having to move around much.

My Point is equipment can vary.

It took my dozer guy 2 full days to dig my 1/4 acre pond.

Yep around 2 maybe 3 days tops....If he knows what he is doing that is.

Wow!!!! The time he came out to bid the job, he scratched his head and said..."4, maybe 5 days". I wonder if those guys like to keep their "small jobs" at least a week long.

Joe

Joe, you're right. they are not going to finish on a Wednesday eve.
It's going to be a 5 day job.

It takes a lot less time to dig a fixed cost hole than an hourly one. I've proven that one several times.

BTW, according to reports that I've heard, Mike Otto is an exception to that rule. One guy told me that Mike used a D8 on his pond with the rippers down to be more efficient. He told the guy "Time is money".

Thanks for the feedback. Well, my dirt guy canceled out at the last minute (again). So I wasn't able to get the test pits dug, but there is a silver lining.

When I first began my search for a dirt guy I was really surprised at the lack of experienced folks in my area. I talked with a ton of people who were completely willing and able to come dig a giant hole in my back yard. They often spoke in generalities and were found to be down right evasive on some specifics...not impressed.

I was able to find ONE guy who seemed to know what he was talking about, my present dirt guy. This however made it a one pony race, which made me nervous. Out of the blue my neighbor recomends this other outfit. After a very impressive 45 talk (during dinner time, from his home phone) we now have a two pony race.

The test pits will hopefully be dug on Monday with some insight into the go/nogo pond project. Sorry for the long ramble.

Joe