root systems airspading trees to see extent of root system

[Island Lescure]

On 02/09/2019 at 20:33, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi said:

If its sandy soil with few stones 1 to 2 hours 1 - 2 hours If there are large stones/boulders then it will take much longer.  If the root system is very dense it will also take much longer.  Very difficult to answer such a question as there are so many variables. Only way to get a good idea is to dig a test pit.

Is that with a soil extractor? I just checked the soil volume from the pic that I posted above. It is 20m3... So we are looking at 20 to 40 hours per tree, assuming not extra difficulties...That is a lot.

Anyone have experience with clayey soil?

 

Cheers,

 

Island

[Arboraeration]

The lighter the soil the quicker it will be, airspading takes a very long time! If you are looking to remove around 40m3 of soil you would be better off trying to source a hgv mounted soil vac. In my experience it would be 1-2 days to complete your excavations. 

[Craig Johnson]

7 hours ago, Island Lescure said:

 

Anyone have experience with clayey soil?

 

yes, very slow if dry. pre soaking the night before helps

[Island Lescure]

7 hours ago, Arboraeration said:

The lighter the soil the quicker it will be, airspading takes a very long time! If you are looking to remove around 40m3 of soil you would be better off trying to source a hgv mounted soil vac. In my experience it would be 1-2 days to complete your excavations. 

Thanks for the reply. 1-2 days with the hgv mounted vac or just with the airspade? I am, so far, thinking of using an airspade 2000, 105 cfm or 150 cfm 4ft barrel, with this:

55 Gallon Single Venturi Static Conductive Drum Vacuums

GUARDAIR.COM

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Powered by compressed air, Guardair 55 Gallon Static Conductive Drum Vacuums are ideal for vacuuming up chips...

It all depends on what I can source and the price. India has limited choice for this sort of stuff.

[Island Lescure]

1 hour ago, Craig Johnson said:

yes, very slow if dry. pre soaking the night before helps

Thanks, all pits will be worked on with wet soil so I guess this will be ok.

Its almost like stone when dry. Digging bars go in about 2 cms at a time then.

[Island Lescure]

So I have inquired about the soil texture:

 

Texture of most soil to be excavated:

 

Clay: 20-25%

Silt: 30%

Sand: 35-40%

Gravel: 5-10%

Does that help someone to give me an idea of time/m3?

 

Can the vacuums move the soil from one point to another instead of just into the barrel? I need to place it nearby and then move it back once I am done with the tree.

 

Thanks

Edited September 16, 2019 by Island Lescure
mixing up structure and texture...