Digging a new pond and renting a ?

[jedi]

Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out the
pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?

[Andy Hill]

"jedi" > wrote:
>Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out the
>pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
>device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
>maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
>smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?
>
Without really answering your question, be sure to call around to local guys who
own their own equipment. Ofttimes it's cheaper to pay an expert (who knows
how to dig the hole *fast*) than to pay rental fees while you learn how (and how
not) to use the equipment.

[kathy]

Andy has a good point. We spend hours and
much dollars on renting a chipper and it gummed
up and what a mess. Called in the experts and
the job went fast and was cheaper.

kathy

[San Diego Joe]

"jedi" wrote:

> Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out the
> pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
> device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
> maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
> smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?
>
>
I rented a small backhoe that went through a 4'-4" opening with a tad to
spare. It was a blast to operate too - good testosterone high.

I think if you phone some rental places, they'll tell you what they have.


San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Goldfish, a RES named Colombo and an Oscar.

[Benign Vanilla]

"Andy Hill" > wrote in message
...
> "jedi" > wrote:
> >Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out
the
> >pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
> >device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
> >maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
> >smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?
> >
> Without really answering your question, be sure to call around to local
guys who
> own their own equipment. Ofttimes it's cheaper to pay an expert (who
knows
> how to dig the hole *fast*) than to pay rental fees while you learn how
(and how
> not) to use the equipment.

And by all means make sure there is not a petroleum pipeline right where you
want the pond. :)


--
BV
Webporgmaster of iheartmypond.com
http://www.iheartmypond.com
I'll be leaning on the bus stop post.

[~ Windsong ~]

"Benign Vanilla" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Andy Hill" > wrote in message
> ...
> > "jedi" > wrote:
> > >Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig
out
> the
> > >pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
> > >device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back
yard -
> > >maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
> > >smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?
> > >
> > Without really answering your question, be sure to call around to local
> guys who
> > own their own equipment. Ofttimes it's cheaper to pay an expert (who
> knows
> > how to dig the hole *fast*) than to pay rental fees while you learn how
> (and how
> > not) to use the equipment.
>
> And by all means make sure there is not a petroleum pipeline right where
you
> want the pond. :)
==============================
Or a buried phone cable.
--
Carol.... the frugal ponder...
I have a firm grip on reality.
Now I can strangle it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Jerry Donovan]

"Andy Hill" > wrote in message
...
> "jedi" > wrote:
>>Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out
>>the
>>pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
>>device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
>>maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
>>smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?
>>
> Without really answering your question, be sure to call around to local
> guys who
> own their own equipment. Ofttimes it's cheaper to pay an expert (who
> knows
> how to dig the hole *fast*) than to pay rental fees while you learn how
> (and how
> not) to use the equipment.

True, but not half the fun. :-)
It's the old boys and toys thing. YMMV

Jerry

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

>> And by all means make sure there is not a petroleum pipeline right where
>>you want the pond. :) BV
>==============================
>Or a buried phone cable. Carol

Timely Pond Digging Advice: CALL BEFORE YOU DIG! ~ jan

~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~

[Crashj]

On or about Thu, 24 Feb 2005 12:54:09 -0500, "jedi"
> wrote something like:

> Does anyone know what the
>smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?

Caterpillar D-1
Sorry, old construction joke.
There are several rental small backhoe style units that have a bucket
of a cubic foot or so. They are fun to run. Be sure you call your
local 800 "Call Before You Dig" number. You would be surprised at
how many lines and pipes run through backyard america. You do not want
to have tp pay to replace everyone's cable service.
Any of your local rental stores will have several choices, along with
a trailer that you 'll need for transport to and fro. Wear a helmet
(it looks cool), and hearing and eye protection. These babies make
noise and dust. You should also think about your own water and
electric lines when you do this. The water can be right at the pond,
but the electric must be a certain distance away, like 15 feet or so.
Check your local government to see if you need a permit for the pond
and for the digging.
DIG WE MUST!
--
Crashj

[Dragon Koi]

There are mini excavators that have articulated tracks that narrow down to
around 3' for gates. I highly recommend an excavator over a backhoe, much
faster and easier to operate. Plus, it will rotate 360 so if you hold a can
of beer and spin around a lot it scares the hell out of the neighbors.
--
Try to beat the DragonKoi at Poker Champs...
https://secure.pokerchamps.com/pokerpublic/arequest?acode=DRAGONKOI
Remember to enter referer code DRAGONKOI when you join!

"jedi" > wrote in message
...
| Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out
the
| pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
| device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
| maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
| smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?
|
|

[2pods]

"Dragon Koi" > wrote in message I highly recommend an
excavator over a backhoe, much
> faster and easier to operate. Plus, it will rotate 360 so if you hold a
> can
> of beer and spin around a lot it scares the hell out of the neighbors.

ROTFL !

Peter

[Derek Broughon]

On Fri, 2005-25-02 at 04:35 +0000, Crashj wrote:
> On or about Thu, 24 Feb 2005 12:54:09 -0500, "jedi"
> > wrote something like:
>
> > Does anyone know what the
> >smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?
>
> Caterpillar D-1
> Sorry, old construction joke.
> There are several rental small backhoe style units that have a bucket
> of a cubic foot or so. They are fun to run. Be sure you call your
> local 800 "Call Before You Dig" number. You would be surprised at
> how many lines and pipes run through backyard america. You do not want
> to have tp pay to replace everyone's cable service.

Well, you know, I'd have to doubt that you could be forced to pay for
replacing everybody else's cable service if they've got lines running
through your land without an express right of way.

Electrical and gas lines are the real problem - if you cut one of those,
how much it's going to cost can be _literally_ the last thing on your
mind.

--
derek

[jedi]

"Dragon Koi" > wrote in message
...
> There are mini excavators that have articulated tracks that narrow down to
> around 3' for gates. I highly recommend an excavator over a backhoe, much
> faster and easier to operate. Plus, it will rotate 360 so if you hold a
can
> of beer and spin around a lot it scares the hell out of the neighbors.
> --
> Try to beat the DragonKoi at Poker Champs...
> https://secure.pokerchamps.com/pokerpublic/arequest?acode=DRAGONKOI
> Remember to enter referer code DRAGONKOI when you join!

LMAO on this one! I think I'll go for the tequila though. You boys and
your beers should try the low carb way... :)

[Benign Vanilla]

"Derek Broughon" > wrote in message
a...
<snip>
> Well, you know, I'd have to doubt that you could be forced to pay for
> replacing everybody else's cable service if they've got lines running
> through your land without an express right of way.
>
> Electrical and gas lines are the real problem - if you cut one of those,
> how much it's going to cost can be _literally_ the last thing on your
> mind.
<snip>

From the MD, Miss Utility site...

"Penalties for Violating the Miss Utility Laws: Actual repair costs, and
civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation for the first offense, plus up to
10 times the actual cost of repairs, which can equate to millions of
dollars, for each subsequent offense. "

Call before you dig.


--
BV
Webporgmaster of iheartmypond.com
http://www.iheartmypond.com
I'll be leaning on the bus stop post.

[Derek Broughon]

On Fri, 2005-25-02 at 13:00 -0500, Benign Vanilla wrote:
> "Derek Broughon" > wrote in message
> a...
> <snip>
> > Well, you know, I'd have to doubt that you could be forced to pay for
> > replacing everybody else's cable service if they've got lines running
> > through your land without an express right of way.
> >
> From the MD, Miss Utility site...
>
> "Penalties for Violating the Miss Utility Laws: Actual repair costs, and
> civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation for the first offense, plus up to
> 10 times the actual cost of repairs, which can equate to millions of
> dollars, for each subsequent offense. "

Sure, but don't they have to have a right of way? Not for your own
utility supply lines, but I've never seen a case of a legitimate utility
line running straight across a person's property: they either run on the
road allowance, or they get an explicit lien (which goes on your
property deed). You'd be hard-pressed to be in violation otherwise. I
_have_ seen illegally (in the sense of not having permission from the
property owner, not service stolen from the cable co.) and improperly
installed shared cable lines, and whole blocks have lost their service
when someone cut it - but the Cable co is on the hook for repairs.
--
derek

[Andy Hill]

"Jerry Donovan" > wrote:
>"Andy Hill" > wrote in message
...
>> "jedi" > wrote:
>>>Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out
>>>the
>>>pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
>>>device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
>>>maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
>>>smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?
>>>
>> Without really answering your question, be sure to call around to local
>> guys who
>> own their own equipment. Ofttimes it's cheaper to pay an expert (who
>> knows
>> how to dig the hole *fast*) than to pay rental fees while you learn how
>> (and how
>> not) to use the equipment.
>
>True, but not half the fun. :-)
>It's the old boys and toys thing. YMMV
>
Well, sure. If you're just dying to learn how to use one of those little
backhoes, by all means have at it. Just don't fool yourself into thinking
you're saving money.

[dave]

Derek Broughon wrote:
> On Fri, 2005-25-02 at 13:00 -0500, Benign Vanilla wrote:
>
>>"Derek Broughon" > wrote in message
a...
>><snip>
>>
>>>Well, you know, I'd have to doubt that you could be forced to pay for
>>>replacing everybody else's cable service if they've got lines running
>>>through your land without an express right of way.
>>>
>>
>>From the MD, Miss Utility site...
>>
>>"Penalties for Violating the Miss Utility Laws: Actual repair costs, and
>>civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation for the first offense, plus up to
>>10 times the actual cost of repairs, which can equate to millions of
>>dollars, for each subsequent offense. "
>
>
> Sure, but don't they have to have a right of way? Not for your own
> utility supply lines, but I've never seen a case of a legitimate utility
> line running straight across a person's property: they either run on the
> road allowance, or they get an explicit lien (which goes on your
> property deed). You'd be hard-pressed to be in violation otherwise. I
> _have_ seen illegally (in the sense of not having permission from the
> property owner, not service stolen from the cable co.) and improperly
> installed shared cable lines, and whole blocks have lost their service
> when someone cut it - but the Cable co is on the hook for repairs.

I work for a telephone company and have had to repair cables that were
cut when digging for a foundation for a house. The cables were placed
years ago in an easement. Someone bought 3 properties equaling 45 acres.
The easement was not readily identifiable and decided to put his house
where the cable was. He wasn't very happy to pay that bill.

[Crashj]

On or about Fri, 25 Feb 2005 11:05:52 -0400, Derek Broughon
> wrote something like:

>On Fri, 2005-25-02 at 04:35 +0000, Crashj wrote:
>> On or about Thu, 24 Feb 2005 12:54:09 -0500, "jedi"
>> > wrote something like:
>>
>> > Does anyone know what the
>> >smallest excavator is
>>
>> Caterpillar D-1
<>
>>Be sure you call your
>> local 800 "Call Before You Dig" number.
<>
>Well, you know, I'd have to doubt that you could be forced to pay for
>replacing everybody else's cable service if they've got lines running
>through your land without an express right of way.

It is called an easement. They have the permission. You have to check
your land title and local and State laws to find them That is why you
call beforehand. This is not a time for the old saw about being easier
to ask forgiveness that to ask permission. Being wrong can be very
expensive.
--
Crashj

[derek]

dave wrote:
> I work for a telephone company and have had to repair cables that were
> cut when digging for a foundation for a house. The cables were placed
> years ago in an easement. Someone bought 3 properties equaling 45 acres.
> The easement was not readily identifiable and decided to put his house
> where the cable was. He wasn't very happy to pay that bill.

Yeah, but "not readily identifiable" still means it's on his deed and
puts the onus on him. I've got no sympathy for someone who should know
the lines are _somewhere_ but doesn't call. It's the idea that they
might actually be there and not recorded - and the homeowner might
_still_ be liable - that has me amazed.
--
derek

[Snooze]

"jedi" > wrote in message
...
> Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out
> the
> pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
> device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
> maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
> smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?

You can rent a small bobcat or similar sized compact excavator or or
loader/backhoe from any equipment rental agency. Hertz equipment rental
being a national company that comes to mind.
http://www.hertzequip.com/

As others have said it's often easier/cheaper to higher someone else to do
it, it takes a bit of practice to get good at using either a skid steer or a
tracked excavator Also if it's a skid steer say good bye to your lawn. Also
make sure you know where the utlity lines are, both your own, and the
pipelines.

Someone over here hit the high pressure gasoline pipeline recently. Sent
flames a few hundred feet into the air until they could shut it off,
needless to say most of the crew was killed.