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Category: excavation equipment

  • How The Equipment Has Changed

    How The Equipment Has Changed

    There are many different opinions as to what
    machines should actually be classified as earth
    moving equipment. There are many different types
    of equipment that fall in this category, such as
    excavators, backhoe loaders, dump trucks, and
    even loaders.

    Other machinery that falls in between are articulated
    trucks, wheel and track tractors, and even
    scrapers. The thin line is normally drawn at
    motor grades, which are more than capable or light
    duty excavation, although they are mainly used
    to level lots and grade roads.

    If you take a glance at any equipment literature
    from leading companies such as CAT, Komatsu, or
    Case, you’ll see right away that they believe the
    biggest and most important change over the last
    several years is increased productivity. This is
    normally followed by greater comfort and safety.

    The increase in productivity is the result of
    many different advancements. CAT (Caterpillar)
    cites that more powerful engines with a faster
    rise in torque which allows machines to respond
    faster to increased power demands. Even though
    this new generation is far more powerful, it
    has a reduced impact on the environment as well.

    Electronics
    Most of the newer machines have electronic
    control systems that will optimize both engine
    and transmission performance, as well as fuel
    consumption and hydraulic system performance.

    Take for example the CAT mid sized G series
    wheel loaders that feature electronically controlled
    powershift transmissions. Each and every
    transmission offers autoshift capabilities that
    ease the pressure on the operator, and an
    electronic clutch pressure control that smooth
    shifts the gears for longer life.

    Comfort
    In the industry, good operators are getting harder
    and harder to find. Manufacturers find themselves
    stressing that operator comfort and convenience
    need to be taken into account not only to make
    the job easier, but also more efficient and
    productive as well.

    The new cab designs offer better visibility,
    reduced noise and vibration, and improved comfort
    as well. The new control systems will require low
    operator effort while also improving the control
    of the machine for both the experienced as well
    as the in-experienced operator.

    Easier maintenance
    Almost all new machinery offers electronic
    monitoring systems that will provide constant
    information on the health of the machine for the
    operator. These types of systems provide information
    to technicians, including service modes that will
    help them to diagnose conditions quickly.

    Now days, machines are designed to make routine
    maintenance easier. With CAT’s wheel loaders,
    regular service points are easy to access from
    ground level, with site gauges making it easier
    to check the fluid of the radiator, hydraulic oil,
    and transmission – without having to use dipsticks.

    Changes for the better
    If you compare the excavation equipment of today
    with the machines of the past, you’ll notice that
    the changes are better. The machines of the past
    relied more on operator skill and technique, as
    very few of them had electronic features.

    Today, almost all types of heavy machinery offer
    electronic features. Electronics are a great
    thing, as they can make the life of an operator
    easier than ever. You don’t need to get out and
    check the fluids anymore, as all you need to do
    is take a look at your instrument panel, which can
    help to save you a lot of time.

    Operators who have a lot of experience know first
    hand that machines of the past can’t begin to
    compete with machines of today. With technology
    always getting better, it just makes you wonder
    what is in the future for heavy machinery. Years
    from now, one can only begin to wonder just great
    heavy machinery will get – and what other features
    will make the life of an operator even easier than
    it is now.

    PPPPP

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  • Renting Versus Owning Equipment

    Renting Versus Owning Equipment

    There are always going to be times when, no matter
    how carefully an excavation company plans out a
    project, there simply isn’t enough equipment on hand
    to handle the requirements of the project without
    running out of time. The choices at this point are
    clear – rent the machines you need or go ahead and
    make the purchase.

    It is however, not easy to make these types of
    decisions, thanks to several factors that you’ll
    need to consider.

    Rental pricing
    Its no secret that rental companies make a killing
    with the equipment they rent out. Most companies
    will rent on a daily or weekly basis, which is good
    for them but can be bad for you. Depending on what
    area you work in, the price can be very high or
    just right.

    Depending on what type of equipment you need, the
    price to rent will vary. Excavators and off road
    dump trucks are among the highest to rent, as they
    can cost as much as 12,000 dollars per month! This
    may seem a bit outrageous at first, although if you
    own a profitable company and are working on a big
    project, you’ll have problems meeting the price.

    Buying
    When you need more equipment and don’t want to rent,
    you can buy your equipment. Buying is the way to
    go if you plan on using the equipment more. If you
    work on large projects on a frequent basis, you may
    want to look into buying the equipment you need
    instead of renting.

    Buying will save you money in the long run, providing
    you are going to be using the equipment again. If
    you need the equipment for one or two projects, you
    may just want to rent. Sure you won’t own the
    equipment, although you certainly don’t want to buy
    something you won’t be using.

    Servicing
    One of the great things about renting is the fact
    that company you rent from is responsible for fixing
    anything that breaks. Your company won’t be responsible
    for repairs, as you don’t own the equipment. If
    something breaks or goes wrong, simply call the
    company and they will come out there and fix the
    problem, as the price for repair is included in the
    rental contract.

    If you choose to go ahead and buy the equipment,
    then your company will be responsible for the repair
    of the equipment. As you probably know with owning
    other equipment, you’ll need to do regular maintenance
    and service on the equipment.

    Making that final choice on renting or buying is
    ultimately up to you. You should always think about
    finances, and if you can afford the machinery. If
    you don’t have the finances or capital to buy what
    you need, you should go with renting. Either way
    you go, you’ll get the machines you need to complete
    your job and stay ahead of schedule.

    PPPPP

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  • Operating A Backhoe Safely

    Operating A Backhoe Safely

    A skid steer loader with backhoe attachment or a backhoe
    loader in general can be very productive if it is
    operated safely and efficiently. The best way to
    get the job done safely and efficiently is to know
    yourself, the job site, and your equipment.

    Even though the models of backhoes will vary, there
    are safety features with all of them that include
    steps and grab handles for getting on and off of
    the machine. Backhoes also feature frame lock levers
    and attaching levers to keep the backhoe securely
    fastened to the loader frame during operation as well
    as transporting.

    In addition to these standard safety features, there
    are some backhoes that provide a safety chain. The
    safety chain will prevent the backhoe mounting
    frame from rotating backwards and unexpectedly
    trapping the operator, which can result in serious
    injury or death. Therefore, it is always important
    to know and check all of the mounting and attachment
    points and the safety chain before you operate the
    backhoe.

    If you’ve attached the backhoe to the loader, you
    should take a moment to inspect it and perform any
    necessary maintenance. Check for broken or
    damaged parts, also making sure to check for leaks,
    cracks, excessive wear, and check the control
    levers.

    The warning and safety signs and instructional
    decals are very important and will help you to
    avoid injury. You should always take them seriously
    and replace any damaged or missing decals.

    Every 8 hours or so, you should grease all of the
    zerk fittings, and check the hydraulic fluid
    and oil and a daily basis. If the fluid is low,
    the backhoe will not operate. Therefore, you
    should always take the time to check your machine.

    Anytime you have to leave the operator seat of the
    backhoe, you should lower the bucket or attachment
    to the ground, turn the engine off, remove the
    ignition key, then exit the machine.

    When the time comes to drive to the next job site,
    you should always make sure that you have fully
    raised both the front and rear stabilizers and
    make sure you’ve put the backhoe seat into the
    “down” position for better visibility. Before
    you drive off, make sure that you’ve installed the
    transport locking pin.

    Here are some other things to keep in mind:
    – Always select the right size bucket for
    the job.
    – Stake out the work area that is going to
    be excavated and use flags to mark the area.
    – Never work in areas that have inadequate
    overhead clearances.

    Always make sure that you keep bystanders or other
    workers out of the swing area. If anyone gets in
    the way of the boom swinging, they can very easily
    get injured. The machine has no feelings,
    therefore you should always be aware of who is
    around you and where they are standing.

    PPPPP

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  • Caterpillar Equipment

    Caterpillar Equipment

    Caterpillar Incorporated, also known as CAT is a
    United States based corporation that is based in
    Peoria, Illinois. The company commonly known as CAT
    is known around the world as the largest manufacturer
    of construction and mining equipment, diesel and
    natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines.

    Well known and famous for their products that feature
    the Caterpillar track and distinctive yellow paint,
    CAT produces a wide range of heavy equipment for
    all types of jobs, including the very popular
    Caterpillar D9 bulldozer.

    History
    The story of CAT dates back to the late 19th century,
    when Daniel Best and Benjamin Holt were experimenting
    with different ways to fulfill the promise that
    steam tractors held for farm work. Prior to 1925,
    the Holt family had pioneered track tractors and
    gasoline powered engines. After the companies of
    Best and Holt were merged, the company went through
    several changes then at the end of World War 2,
    they began to grow at a very fast pace, launching
    the first venture outside of the country in 1950,
    which marked the beginning of CAT development into
    a big corporation.

    CAT equipment ranges from track type tractors to
    hydraulic excavators, backhoes, motor graders, off
    road trucks, wheel loaders, tractors, diesel and
    gas engines, and gas turbines. CAT equipment is
    used in construction, excavation, building roads,
    mining, energy, forestry, transportation, and
    material handling companies.

    Sales
    Over half of CAT’s sales are to customers in overseas
    areas. CAT products are sold in almost 200 different
    countries. The company has a worldwide network
    of over 200 dealers – 63 in the United States and
    over 150 in other countries. CAT equipment and
    components are manufactured in 42 plants in the
    United States and 58 plants in Australia, Belgium,
    Brazil, Canada, England, France, Germany, India,
    Japan, Mexico, and several other countries.

    Labor
    CAT almost went down in the early 1980s due to
    the massive union strikes and a down turn in product
    demand. At the time, several news reports indicated
    that products were piling up so high in facilities
    that temporary workers hired to work the lines
    could barely get to their stations to perform their
    jobs.

    In the 1990s, CAT suffered yet another long strike
    in which the company hired what it deemed to be
    permanent replacements for union workers that
    were on strike. During both strikes, jack rocks
    were placed in the home entrances of many of
    CATs top executives and employees, puncturing
    the tires of their vehicles and making things
    worse for the company.

    Not long after the strike of the 1990s ended
    and the economy started to get back up again, CAT
    adopted the “6 Sigma” quality management program,
    to help reduce costs and inventory and identify
    and correct the defects in processes and products.

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  • Caterpillar D Series

    Caterpillar D Series

    The CAT (Caterpillar) 420D and 430D backhoe loaders
    are the high performance machines in the D series
    lineup. The 420D boasts 85 HP and a backhoe digging
    depth of 14 feet when equipped with a standard
    stick.

    The 430D offers 94 HP and a backhoe digging depth
    of 15 feet when it is equipped with a standard
    stick. By using an extendible stick, you can
    push the digging depth of the 420D to 18 feet and
    the depth of the 430D to 19 feet, which is very
    impressive to say the least.

    Both D series machines are available in IT
    (Integrated Toolcarrier) configurations for
    applications that benefit from a parallel lift
    loader linkage and the versatility of quick work
    tool changes through the use of a versatile
    hydraulic quick coupler. Applications include the
    use of pallet forks, material handling arms,
    brooms, and even buckets.

    The new and improved pilot operated hydraulic backhoe
    and IT loader controls will help to ensure smooth,
    precise operation with reduced effort on behalf of
    the operator. These backhoes use excavator type
    joystick controls, and an optional pattern change
    valve which allows you to select the patern of
    control.

    The 205 degree rotation that is offered by the
    backhoe bucket linkage will make it easier to dig
    vertical walls and clamp material when loading
    trucks. The rotation with the D series is 40
    degrees more than with the C series. Now, the
    backhoe buckets feature a single pin position,
    with the bucket link featuring an integrated
    lifting eye as well.

    The optional quick coupler you can get for the
    backhoe will allow fast changes of working tools
    for increased versatility and flexibility in
    almost all applications.

    Both of the D series backhoe loaders use the
    turbocharged, direct injection, four cylinder diesel
    engine, with a displacement of 4.0 liters. This
    engine offers superior lug performance which is
    mostly due to the responsive fuel injection
    system.

    The standard power shuttle transmission provides
    four forward speeds and four speeds in reverse
    as well. Fully synchromesh in all gears will
    permit on the go shifting, while the forward and
    reverse electric power shuttle will provide
    instant direction changes through powered
    clutches.

    The auto shifting feature will automatically
    shift between second gear and the highest gear
    selected for ease of operation. The auto shift
    feature has five forward and three reverse gears,
    with a transmission kick switch on the lever of
    the loader control.

    With D series loaders, you’ll also have the choice
    of standard two wheel drive or all wheel drive,
    which you can engage easily on the go, under
    heavy load, by pressing a switch that is located
    on the front console.

    The D series loaders from CAT are very fast and
    versatile as well, as they will move faster than
    most types of backhoes on the market. The
    diesel engines are very fast, while the machine
    has enough traction and control to keep you
    moving even in wet or muddy conditions.

    The variable load sensing hydraulic system will
    adjust the flow and pressure of the machine to
    meet the demands of work with an increased
    pressure of 3,300 PSI. The hydraulic system is
    tuned to work efficiently with the engine, and
    it provides full hydraulic force to the working
    tool on hand at any engine speed you desire.

    Unlike other backhoe loaders, the D series will
    reduce demands on the operator, cut fuel consumption
    in half, reduce wear on the engine, and allow
    for quieter operation. To make a long story
    short – the D series from CAT are among the best
    backhoe loaders that money can buy – bar none.

    PPPPP

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  • Hydraulic Machinery

    Hydraulic Machinery

    Hydraulic machinery are machines and tools that use
    fluid power to do the work. Almost all types of
    heavy equipment is a common example. With this type
    of equipment, hydraulic fluid is pumped to a high
    pressure then transmitted through the machine to
    various actuators.

    The hydraulic pumps are powered by engines or electric
    motors. The pressurized fluid is controlled by the
    operator with control valves and then distributed
    through hoses and tubes.

    The increasing popularity of hydraulic machinery is
    due to the large amount of power that is transferred
    through small tubes and flexible hoses. The high
    power density and wide array of actuators can make
    use of this power.

    Hydraulic power
    The theory that lies behind hydraulic equipment is
    fluid pressure.
    1. A force that acts on a small area can
    create a bigger force by acting on a larger area
    by hydrostatic pressure.
    2. A large amount of energy can be carried
    by a small flow of highly pressurized fluid.

    Pumps
    A hydraulic pump will supply the fluid to the
    components in the system. Pressure in the system
    will develop in reaction to the load. Pumps have
    a power density of around ten times greater than
    an electric motor. The pumps are powered by an
    electric motor or engine, which is connected through
    gears, belts, or a flexible elastomeric coupling
    to reduce the heavy vibration.

    The common types of hydraulic pumps for hydraulic
    machinery applications include:
    1. Gear pump – the gear pump is cheap,
    durable, and simple. It is less efficient, simply
    because it is constant displacement and suitable
    for pressures that are below 3,000 psi.
    2. Vane pump – vane pumps are cheap, simple,
    and reliable. They are good pumps for higher flow
    low pressure output.

    Hoses and tubes
    A hydraulic hose is graded by pressure, temperature,
    and compatibility of fluid. A rubber interior is
    surrounded by multiple layers of woven wire and
    rubber. The exterior of the hose is designed for
    resistance against abrasion.

    The bending radius of the hydraulic hose is
    designed very carefully into the machine, since
    a hose failure can be deadly, and violating the
    minimum bend radius of the hose can also cause
    failure.

    A hydraulic pipe is thick enough to have threads
    cut into it for connections. It’s rarely used
    for high pressure systems though, which prefer to
    have tubes or hoses. The pipe itself lends to
    weldings and can also be used to fabricate the
    manifold.

    Hydraulic pipes on the other hand are preferred
    over hoses whenever possible, as they are simply
    more durable. Tubes are also preferred over pipes,
    as they weigh a lot less. Hydraulic tubes will
    normally have flared ends and captive nuts to
    make connections. They can also be steel welded
    with floating nuts and face seal fittings on the
    ends.

    Both tubes and pipes for hydraulic applications
    traditionally haven’t been plated or painted,
    since the temperature and oil they operate under
    drive away moisture and reduce the risk of rust.

    Fittings
    The fittings with hydraulic machinery serve
    several purposes:
    1. To bride different standards, such
    as the O-ring boss to JIC or pipe threads to the
    face seal.
    2. Allows proper orientation of
    components, as a 45 or 90 degree, straight, or
    even swivel fitting will be chosen as it is
    needed. They are designed to be positioned in
    the correct orientation and then tightened as
    needed.
    3. To incorporate bulkhead hardware.
    4. A quick disconnect fitting may be
    added to a machine without having to modify hoses
    or valves.

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  • Bulldozer

    Bulldozer

    The bulldozer is a very powerful crawler that is
    equipped with a blade. The term bulldozer is often
    used to mean any type of heavy machinery, although
    the term actually refers to a tractor that is fitted
    with a dozer blade.

    Often times, bulldozers are large and extremely
    powerful tracked vehicles. The tracks give them
    amazing ground mobility and hold through very rough
    terrain. Wide tracks on the other hand, help to
    distribute the weight of the dozer over large areas,
    therefore preventing it from sinking into sandy or
    muddy ground.

    Bulldozers have great ground hold and a torque
    divider that’s designed to convert the power of the
    engine into dragging ability, which allows it to
    use its own weight to push heavy objects and even
    remove things from the ground. Take the Caterpillar
    D9 for example, it can easily tow tanks that weight
    more than 70 tons. Due to these attributes,
    bulldozers are used to clear obstacles, shrubbery,
    and remains of structures and buildings.

    The blade
    The blade on a bulldozer is the heavy piece of
    metal plate that is installed on the front. The
    blade pushes things around. Normally, the blade
    comes in 3 varieties:
    1. A straight blade that is short and has
    no lateral curve, no side wings, and can be used
    only for fine grading.
    2. A universal blade, or U blade, which is
    tall and very curved, and features large side wings
    to carry more material around.
    3. A combination blade that is shorter,
    offers less curvature, and smaller side wings.

    Modifications
    Over time, bulldozers have been modified to evolve
    into new machines that are capable of things the
    original bulldozers weren’t. A good example is
    that loader tractors were created by removing the
    blade and substituting a large volume bucket
    and hydraulic arms which will raise and lower the
    bucket, therefore making it useful for scooping
    up the earth and loading it into trucks.

    Other modifications to the original bulldozer
    include making it smaller to where it can operate
    in small working areas where movement is very
    limited, such as mining caves and tunnels. Very
    small bulldozers are known as calfdozers.

    History
    The first types of bulldozers were adapted from
    farm tractors that were used to plough fields. In
    order to dig canals, raise earth dams, and partake
    in earthmoving jobs, the tractors were equipped
    with a thick metal plate in the front. Later
    on, this thick metal plate earned the name blade.

    The blade of the bulldozer peels layers of soil
    and pushes it forward as the tractor advances.
    The blade is the heart and soul of the bulldozer,
    as it was the first accessory to make full use
    for excavation type jobs.

    As the years went by, when engineers needed
    equipment to complete larger jobs, companies such
    as CAT, Komatsu, John Deere, Case, and JCB started
    to manufacture large tracked earthmoving equipment.
    They were very loud, very large, and very powerful
    and therefore earned the nickname “bulldozer”.

    Over the years, the bulldozers got bigger, more
    powerful, and even more sophisticated. The
    important improvements include better engines,
    more reliable drive trains, better tracks, and
    even hydraulic arms that will enable more precise
    manipulation of the blade and automated controls.
    As an added option, bulldozers can come equipped
    with a rear ripping claw to break up pavement or
    loosen rocky soil.

    The best known manufacturer of bulldozer is CAT,
    which has earned a vast reputation for making
    tough and durable, yet reliable machines. Even
    though the bulldozer started off a modified farm
    tractor, it rapidly became one of the most useful
    pieces of equipment with excavating and construction.

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  • Caterpillar D11

    Caterpillar D-11

    The D-11 from Caterpillar is among the series of
    tracked type tractors are among the largest
    conventional bulldozers in the world, second to the
    Komatsu D575. It comes in two variations, the
    standard D-11R and the bigger and heavier D-11R CD.

    The D-11 bulldozer is among the upper end of
    Caterpillars track type tractors, which range in
    power and size from the D-3 (77 HP) to the D-11R
    (935 HP).

    The primary use for the D-11 is for moving large
    quantities of rock, dirt, etc. short distances in
    confined spaces. The D-11 is often times used in
    quarries. The price, size, power and weight of
    the D11 dictate that they are used primarily for
    major products. You can normally find the D11
    used in forestry, mining, excavation, and quarry
    operations.

    The D-11 is high known and favored for its amazing
    power and ability to rip into the earth, making
    them ideal for agricultural and rock ripping type
    work. The ripper is the long claw like device
    you can find on the back of the D-11. Rippers come
    in single shank or in groups of two or more, known
    as multi shank rippers. Normally, a single shank
    is all you need for heavy ripping work.

    The ripping of rock will allow the ground surface
    rock to be broken up into small, easy to handle
    and transport rubble which can then be removed
    so that you can grade the area.

    The agricultural ripping feature will allow rocky
    or very hard ground to be broken up so that
    otherwise unarable land can be put to use with
    agricultural applications.

    The blade on the front of the D-11 comes in 3
    varieties:
    1. A straight blade which is short and
    has no lateral curve, no side wings, and is ideal
    for fine grading.
    2. A universal blade which is tall and
    very curved, and has large side wings which can
    carry more material.
    3. A combination blade that is shorter,
    has less curvature, and smaller wings on the side.

    The nearest competition for the Caterpillar D-11
    is the Komatsu D-475. The Caterpillar can best be
    distinguished from the Komatsu by the elevated drive
    sprocket or high drive system that results in a
    triangular, rather than oval, shaped caterpillar
    track.

    The D-11 is a fine testament to the superb products
    Caterpillar offers. They are great for excavation
    and clearing dirt, as they can push large piles
    of dirt. They are also good for rock, as they can
    move even the biggest of rocks from the ground
    without breaking a sweat. If you’ve wanted a
    bulldozer with uncanny strength and abilities, the
    D-11 is just what you need on your job site.

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  • Trench Digging

    Trench Digging

    Digging trenches is one of the oldest types of work
    with both construction and excavating. Prior to World
    War 2, trenches were dug by hand. As workers dug the
    trenches deeper, the sides needed to be shored or
    supported, to keep the walls of the trench from caving
    in.

    Following the World War, several innovations were made
    in backhoes, and trench digging seemed to fade away
    as a profession. By 1950, hydraulically actuated
    backhoes were developed, which make it possible to
    rapidly dig very deep trenches. Resulting from the
    innovations with backhoes, and because there were no
    workers inside digging the trenches, the walls no
    longer needed to be shored.

    All types of trenches have what’s known as a stand up
    time. This time is the amount of time that elapses
    from the time the ditch is dug until the time the
    trench walls start to collapse. The stand up time
    is dependant on many factors, which include the type
    of soil, water content, trench depth, weather
    conditions, and whether or not the soil has been
    disturbed.

    The stand up time can be as short as zero seconds
    or as long as several months, as they are very
    difficult to predict. Before the trench can be dug,
    someone must take soil samples as way of estimating
    the stand up time. Keep in mind that the soil
    conditions can be dramatically different only a
    few feet from where the sample of the soil was taken.

    After the trench has been dug, workers will go down
    into the trench, and perform whatever work is
    needed, such as laying pipe or installing telephone
    lines, welding pipe, or installing valves. If the
    trench walls aren’t supported, there is the possibility
    of the walls collapsing and trapping the workers in
    the trench. Throughout history, there have been
    100 – 300 people killed in the U.S. each year
    due to trenches collapsing.

    The public has become very aware that industrial
    progress will often have negative side effects as
    well. The place of engineers protecting the
    public from these types of side effects is a very
    controversial issue. The use of trench boxes on
    the site, will help to ease this debate.

    The trench box, also called a trench shield, may
    be placed in the trench to prevent failures from
    injuring workers. The trench box consists of two
    large plates, normally made from steel, which are
    parallel to the walls of the trench, and horizontal
    cross members which will hold the two plates
    apart.

    The lower edge of the trench box rests at the
    bottom of the trench, with the top edge of the
    box extending above the top of the trench. The
    workers will stay between the plates of the trench
    box, so that if the trench does collapse, the dirt
    will be stopped by the outside of the trench box.
    As the work progresses, the trench box is pulled
    along in the trench with a backhoe or other machine.

    When a project calls for a large excavation such
    as digging the foundation for a tall building, the
    supporting structure for the excavated walls will
    be specified in the plans. The big problem with
    not using trench boxes occurs in cities, when
    water or sewer lines are being installed or
    repaired. The engineer doesn’t specify for the
    trench box in the plans, but instead leaves it
    up to the contractor.

    Anytime you are going to be digging trenches or
    working in them, you should always use common sense
    and take your time. Trenches can be very deadly,
    especially if trench boxes aren’t used. To be on
    the safe side, you should always use a trench box
    if you need to be in the trench. If you don’t
    need to be in the trench – do the smart thing
    and let the machines do all of the work.

    PPPPP

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  • Easy Site Prep

    Easy Site Prep

    Site prep is the best term that is used to describe
    the operations necessary to make raw land ready
    to accept improvements such as buildings, parking
    lots, roads, and other amenities. Once the project
    has been completed, the site prep is invisible.

    The term site prep is a broad term that can include
    several different tasks, such as clearing and
    grubbing, soil erosion, sediment control, storm
    drains, water and sewer pipes, topsoil stripping,
    rock removal, underground utility, and several
    other tasks.

    Soil erosion and management
    To protect the quality of the water, soil erosion
    and sediment control measures are vital. With
    most locations, storm water permitting is
    required. All erosion and sediment control
    measures and devices must be in place and inspected
    before the first tree drops or first shovel full
    of dirt is removed.

    The designs for storm water management systems
    are becoming more and more complex. The detension
    basins have complex and spiraling side slopes
    and bottoms that have almost flat grades.

    Clearing
    The limits of clearing can be marked with a GPS
    dozer. By following the outline of the display
    in the cab, the bulldozer can cut a path through
    the wooded area so other equipment will have a
    clear line to go by.

    The traditional method used to clear debris, such
    as burning, is rapidly fading away. The air
    pollution standards will prevent any type of
    burning of most areas across the United States.

    Site prep made easy
    Depending on the job site, what you have to do will
    vary greatly. With excavation, what is needed to
    complete a job is as different as night and day. No
    matter what type of work you are doing, it will
    almost always require the use of heavy machinery.

    Clearing lots for houses, grading roads, laying
    pipe, fixing water leaks, and digging foundations
    are just some of the most common tasks found with
    the art of excavation. To do this type of work,
    it takes a special individual as work is outdoors
    year round, meaning that you freeze in the winter
    and burn up in the summer.

    Laying pipe is a task that takes skill. You first
    must dig the trench for the pipe, making sure that
    the elevation is right, and that the pipe will meet
    the specifications listed in the blueprints. There
    are several different types of pipe that needs to
    be layed, including water, sewer, and storm drains.

    When you first begin your job, you’ll need to have
    the proper permits from the area that you are going
    to be disturbing the ground in. Once you have
    the proper permits, you can begin your work. With
    some jobs, you’ll need to document on paper just
    how much land you disturb each day.

    Sometimes with excavation, the job site and plans
    will call for ponds or temporary ponds. This can
    be fun to do, although you have to be careful as
    well. Very common with sub divisions, ponds are
    something that take a lot of skill to dig right.

    Manholes are something else that you will encounter
    as well. You can use machinery to set them in place,
    although they will need to go a certain way. The
    easiest way to put them in place is by using an
    excavator, as you can lower it down and have a
    couple of workers set it in place.

    Anytime you are working on an excavation site, you
    should always be careful and make sure you do things
    by the book. There are always rules and regulations
    that you need to follow. Excavation is a very fun
    trade, although you’ll need to be well versed with
    following plans, running machinery, and having fun
    outdoors.

    PPPPP

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