Drainage without much slope, Digging a Trench with Mini-Excavator!

Tractor Time with Tim takes Casey, our Case Construction CX17C mini-excavator over to handy man Dave's house. Dave needs a little mechanical assistance with his homeowner do it yourself project. Tim and Dave dig a precisely sloped trench using the Topcon laser level and the mini-excavator.

[@realpdm]

Yes, how to use laser level for slope making would be super helpful.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Ok, we’ll do it.

[@jacobc5757]

Tractor Time with Tim - Video about setting up the laser level would be very educational!

[@jacobc5757]

How much for this laser, and what is the name and model number for someone that wants to purchase it!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

It is on my amazon store. Http://amazon.com/shop/tractortimewithtim

[@davem5370]

Good to see Casey again. Thanks Tim for another good video.

[@rickyk2393]

Hey Tim, just a tip when digging a trench that you need the bottom nice and flat. Use the bottom of the bucket and roll it towards you. It makes it flat and also helps when your walking in it putting your pipe together. Nice work tractor time team!

[@gckshea]

Definitely a video about the laser level! Too cool!

[@tonyenglish7176]

A great informative video with some very kind people. Thank you for sharing!

[@kenlitherland6065]

Looks like this got done before the deluge of rain we received. Very nice job.

[@chainsawdom1]

Would likelike to see a video on the laser level please thank you

[@flick22601]

Another great video Tim. Next time you might want to turn your boom to the side and you can dig even and parallel to your tracks. Instead of straddling the ditch, you merely dig and drive alongside it.

[@ronmack1767]

Another great episode on TTWT. Yes, I would like to see an episode on setting up the level and using it to figure slopes and level. Nice filming Christy. Take care and God bless.

[@hamop3]

Nice job T and C. Though if I could make a small suggestion. When digging as on this project, we usually start at the end and stop at the begging. So if that was done in this case, Tim could have just backed out on the driveway. The trouble of crossing the ditch and digging it out would have not needed to be done. Not every time you have it this way, but that is usually a deciding factor on which end I will start and end on. Love your videos.

[@E_R_I_K]

This is Exactly what we did at work today! Laser level and a mini installing 4 inch underdrain on the road we're building 👍

[@lodprice2343]

Nice video. Yes, a video on the laser would be interesting.

[@johnhenderson8360]

Nice job! I think that would be very difficult, with such a small drop in elevation, without a laser level.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes. It would. The laser level really brings a great deal of ‘control’ and ‘visibility’ to the problem.

[@joemiller5527]

Handy little guy. In that soft dirt I use a 12in with no teeth leaves a nice smooth bottom for pipe but also less chance of snagging obstacles.👍

[@silverhaze_2121]

Yes, please make a comprehensive video on the laser level. Keep up the great videos, I am thoroughly enjoying the channel! May God bless you and your family in all of your endeavors.

[@MARKE911]

I have been looking for a new laser level and a nice demo would be great. I’ll purchase with your link

[@leol1682]

Very good job Tim .like it .

[@nielsp914]

Yes a video showing how to set the laser would be awsome.

[@c50ge]

Some years back I thought I hit a root. It was a gas line at 6 in below grade. What an exciting Sunday afternoon!

[@janX9]

It's easier and faster to put your spoils to your right. That is the side the boom is on. Putting it to your left is a safety hazard as you can't see past for boom. The guy on the laser should be on the left where he's seen and out of the way not hidden behind the boom. Put your dirt further from the edge so it doesn't sluff back into the excavation. And clean the edges before moving back with the heel of you bucket. Then clean up the bottom and heel it too. This makes it easier for the ground guy to get in and out easily on both sides and keeps the bottom nice. It also keys the bottom compact, less tripping hazards and if installing services, better for your sand bedding. If you're using a slope laser then just put the receiver on your boom and you'll always have grade and you don't need a grademan, but he should be there looking for existing services anyhow, just for safety. Even if you did your "1st Call".

[@hotrodsrx]

Another great video! Yes would also love to see a video on the level.

[@fester239]

Tim, I put in about 400 feet of french drain and have a lot more to do (ready to go with the BxPanded 6in trenching bucket on the 1025). I’d love to see a dedicated usage video on the laser level. Thanks!

[@jalenwalshak3598]

There’s a level thing that you can attach to the stick on Casey. I wish I could afford a mini excavator it would come in handy with some of the jobs I do for people

[@fredvincent4224]

Jalenwalshak359 rent one, lump it into the job cost. Get em for $300~ day

[@mtbforthenation1233]

Great video and a job well done!

[@moorebynature4847]

Great work, as always, Tim! Wish I could get you out to northern Australia to help me fix my yards up! Love your vids, they’ve helped me tremendously and I’ve learned a lot. God bless!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for watching!

[@brentagade]

Yes a laser level video would be great!

[@CliffsideStables]

Absolutely do a video on using the laser level. Tim

[@iPhil77]

Hey Tim, here’s a saying that I’ve learned: Work smarter, Not harder.

[@MrBryanOConnor1]

definitely would be interested in slope setup

[@rtzapper]

I need to learn how to set up a laser level for a drainage ditch or have Tim and Christy come to IL to help.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Hmm... sounds like fun!

[@kenscharfe7414]

Chalk up another great vid by TTWT. Seems you have a great upbringing from your Dad. Your equipment looks like it always just came off the showroom floor when you go on a job.. You have great pride in what you own. That's "handed down"!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks Ken. Dad is a wonderful teacher and an amazing man!

[@jimbo8317]

I would DEFINITELY be interested in seeing how to set up & use a level system like yours!!!! I've always wanted to learn that but I'd need it put in simple, easy to understand ways!!!

[@scotabot7826]

One of these days that old boy going to learn how to run that Mini-Excavator!!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Probably not!

[@Exclusive_Criminal]

If you put your piles on the right side it’s easier to backfill

[@nashguy207]

Another awesome Job by TTWT. I would love to see a video about setting up the lazer level for a slope or anything to do with the lazer level. You guys are awesome. Have a great weekend. God Bless!!!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Nice job on the trench!!!

[@g.phillips2184]

Good tip is to just keep the topsoil a little bit separate when trenching, then it makes for tidier backfilling, good vid though

[@Pinehollowmechanical]

Yes, please show how to set up the transit

[@Bob63198]

It's a shame you don't have a sod cutter for the ventrac. You could cut the sod off where the trench would go, roll it up, then when done, roll it back over, it would look like nothing had been done the next day. That's what I am going to start doing. :)

[@TractorTimewithTim]

We have a sod cutter for Vinny. In this case, not necessary. Dave has major plans for the yard, including bringing in more soil. So, he doesn’t care about the grass at present. Having said that, we used the Edge Tamers on Johnny’s loader to backfill. Wow! They did a great job. We’ll show this in video later on.

[@Bob63198]

Thank you sir, I just hadn't seen you use the sod cutter other than at the ventrac facility. Just thinking out loud that would have been a good place to use it. (or at your parents house for the water line install... the list goes on)

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Haven’t used it yet...we will sometime!

[@drummer1summer]

Good work with casey Tim, very precise. Thanks for the adventure and a well put together video as always.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for tuning in, and commenting!

[@jonathanguess4052]

Tim the man

[@AM-kc3xg]

Great video....but you need the boys / girls at CASE to send you the correct bucket for grading work.

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

Yes on the lazer video

[@slamsshenanigans2296]

Yes please on the level video!

[@gerrardhaigh3284]

Hi Tim x

[@michaelsa892]

I would love to see a video on the laser level also.

[@sonnofa7877]

I would love to know more about the transit.

[@hawkea567w]

Would love to see the laser level demonstration

[@mightymoeexcavating754]

We Can Dig It, ty for the entertainment

[@aaronsmith2398]

Gday Tim, I like your videos of what u do, I do this stuff but with bigger machines, wheres your quick hitch for Casey, you should look into buying a ripper for Casey. cheers Aaron

[@masonbuck9764]

I would love to see a vid on how to set up the laser level!

[@stevenpage1358]

Would like to receive a video on how to set up the laser level for a slope thank you

[@jaytee66]

Yes do laser set video! Thanks

[@jonathanguess4052]

Way to go casey

[@starnet36]

Tim, is this your excavator or did you rent it?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Case provides it for our use and demonstration. We no longer have it.

[@jakeschisler7525]

What a guy won't do for a cheeseburger

[@TractorTimewithTim]

One’s cravings are hard to control!

[@sh839c]

I am surprised the county would let him mess with the pond. You know how they can be around water.

[@georgegohr1767]

hi guys, another great video. when are we going to see christy dig a trench with casey???

[@bozobennett]

Hey guys! Would like to see a laser video. Also, do you plan on buying a magnetic or otherwise attachable receiver to the boom/stick? Thanks!

[@cadepeterson3893]

Yes do one on the later level please

[@bobbypool923]

I would be interested in seeing a video on setting up and using a laser level.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yep. Need to get on this!

[@risby2]

I would like to know how to set the laser up and how to laser dig for a footing

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Footing is easier because no slope. We’ll try to get some time for this.

[@compacttractortv5074]

Great video tim are you making videos of the harvest ?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Haven’t been there yet. Maybe next weekend.

[@ethanwalker1222]

What are you thinking about for the new tractor Tim?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thinkin, but not actin :-)

[@jaxturner7288]

Too much incline on drains causes fast water that will run away and leave the heavy solids behind. Not to big of deal with storm drains but sewers will not tolerate steep inclines.

[@prodriver12345]

Tim, do you not use your feet to control the tracks? i noticed you struggled ever so slightly trying to unstraddle that trench, if you used your feet for the tracks, then you can then use your hands to operate the boom and spin yourself off. Its safer too as you have more points of contact with the ground incase the trench gave way under a track. I can see you are improving in it though!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

There are no foot controls on this unit.

[@jerryvess2493]

I would be interested in a laser level video.

[@craigford8607]

Would like to see a video on the laser level please

[@maryriser7836]

How to cover in a pipe ditch?

[@philipirwin5286]

Interested in the laser level video.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Not sure we could have done this project without it.

[@Malakie]

Did he have to get permits and permission for that? Here, creating any kind of drainage into a lake, river or stream, is a HUGE NO no, massive fines etc, if you do not have a permit and permission for that.. You can drain into private ponds and land you own, but not into something like that, a public lake...

[@bernarrcoletta7419]

I’m interested in a laser level video.

[@michigantler5046]

cool

[@anthonytosco802]

Yes I would like a level explanation

[@johndeere6107]

Laser video would be nice

[@KD7CAO]

I would love to know more about the level.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@williegardner9290]

Tim, how many cheeseburgers per hour/foot of digging does it take? Need to find out your MPB {miles per burger}.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Now THAT is a hard one to answer!

[@RKHarm24]

New suggestion!!! Need a barge to float Casey on and start advertising DREDGING in small sloughs, ponds. Just a thought. Beautiful property and lake. I could have had a house on a lake if I had moved back to Tennessee. Just wasn't meant to be.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Well Randy, you get the prize for being the first to suggest a barge! :-)

[@jamestinnel664]

Yes I would

[@mimcianci9222]

Can you do more Casey shows

[@collinberke4004]

interested in the video

[@waltermattson5566]

Good job.

[@andrewe2643]

@1:45 "7 3/4"...that's enough...if we do it right"

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Not at all. 1” per 100 ft is enough to drain. No way we could achieve 1/2” per foot…ANYWHERE in central Indiana!!!!

[@andrewe2643]

​@@TractorTimewithTim "Slope the final grade away from the house at least 0.5 inch per foot for 10 feet."

[@TractorTimewithTim]

@@andrewe2643 good questions. I did some more research after your original comment as well. The local county drainage superintendent had provided me the guidance I used in my reply to you. I think I have it figured out, but not sure. Your 6” in first 10’ is likely great advice for next to a building. Likewise the 1/4” or 1/2” per foot seems to be standard for septic or other sewage drains. The less slope I mentioned (and from the county drainage guy) comes from the longer underground drainage situations we have here in the flat lands. So farm drainage tile, etc. I’m guessing the rules are different depending on application. Also, we didn’t have any more slope. Not sure how we could have done any better. We ended about one inch above the water level of the lake. We used all of the slope we had. So, in this case, I don’t grasp your complaint. Seems like a soap box rant rather than evaluating the situation and finding a better solution. We certainly would rather have that drain than some crazy pumping station type solution.

[@andrewe2643]

@@TractorTimewithTim The point is that your video gives a one line answer to a question that is the arguably the most important question before starting any drainage project. Figuring out your grade from the highest and lowest points and determining whether that will actually work for the volume of water and the distance to move it and the soil type and so on. Just asking for you to spend a little time in a video like this to give the great context you provided in your last comment as to why you went with a very, very subtle slope. Acknowledging that it’s not technically by-the-book but here’s XYZ reasons why we didn’t go by the book. Just felt that there was a big enough gap in the video to where I felt the obligation to write in. I’ve watched dozen of your videos and this is maybe the second time I’ve commented. Not trying to soap box, just hoping it’ll result in even better, more informative videos in the future!

[@ArizVern]

Magnetize adjustable receiver mounted to Excavator arm.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes. It is just expensive.

[@ArizVern]

No, Use the receiver you have already. Mount it to excavators boom.

[@timetable620]

I don’t wanna be one of them ppl but it is bad to dig over the drive motors

[@tomkeating65]

Check out iconic metal gear.

[@pearcefarmtiling8354]

We dig pipe on grade with RTK GPS and big really big equipment. I Have a few vids, check them out.

[@fatherrussell5303]

Considering this is over $5000 of work I bet you do think they are a blessing.

[@ricodykstra8553]

Why don't you have a bigger bucket

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Don’t need a bigger bucket for this job.

[@georgegohr1767]

hi guys

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Hey George!

[@jamestinnel664]

Hey tell me when they going to put the blame behind you she got more downforce

[@chrishare3981]

Laser level in depth video please

[@kylebowman613]

You could do the same thing as the laser level with a string and 2 steaks. Move the string on the downhill steak until you are a bubble off level

[@janX9]

In theory yes. But not practical in real world scenarios. Not with an mini-excavator digging a trench. String lines and boning rods are great for pulling grade, but in my experience, not digging a trench with a mini.

[@tomkeating65]

You should get a mount for the mini so you can put the laser receiver on the dipper. How do you guys feel about "Tim, The Tool Man, Taylor"? 🤔🤔🤔😎😎😎

[@tomkeating65]

Where's the boom and turkey video?

[@minimitchmclachlan2560]

First