360 digger advice

[Big 'Ammer]

I'd crack on, fill it in and keep quiet, Dean.

 

You know what your luck's like, Time Team will get wind of it and start a two year dig through the middle of your new yard!

[Dean Lofthouse]

you digging a flight pond for next season?

 

I'm not digging a pond, I'm building a mountain, we haven't got one in Huddersfield

 

I'd crack on' date=' fill it in and keep quiet, Dean.

 

You know what your luck's like, Time Team will get wind of it and start a two year dig through the middle of your new yard! [/quote']

 

Actually Nige, I did think about putting in a trench across it

[woodplans]

Dean,

 

As others have said, best bet is to take a thin layer at a time to crumb the clay up rather than big scoops that put alot of pressure squeezing it into the bucket. If your neighbour has a ripping tooth for the machine, you could loosen an area with this first so as to get some air in to the ground.

 

When doing footings we have a large plate of steel as a foot with a couple of scaffold pipes welded to it so that they stand upright you can drag this around with you as you move and use it to clean/loosen the bucket without leaving the machine. Almost like a giant tooth pick. If you have loads to do and a few bits of steel kicking about it may be worth fabbing one up. Took me about 30 min to make.

 

Hope this helps

[Big 'Ammer]

Only 'Lucky' Lofthouse could dig a pond and find a drain in the bottom of it!

[Canal Navvy]

When i'm on clay I carry a road plate that fits into the ditching bucket end on. I use it against the dozerblade or the corner of a track to gouge the bucket clean. It's also really handy for de-bogging.

[Billy]

If you have that much to move go bigger 10t or so good balance of cost and bulking power. Diesel in the bucket will help and or a riddle bucket, usually used for cleaning hardcore but the grid pattern should aid losing the clay , but a good shake as you unload each scoop usually does it, or gently use a nearby fence post or similar

[renewablejohn]

Make sure you deal with the stone drain as you could end up with more water than you bargained for.