Problems Trucking Dirt On The Backyard Pond Build Episode 4

Episode 4 - We are digging our own DIY Backyard Swimming Pond and I got out my old GMC General Tri-Axle Dump truck to help with hauling all the dirt off site.

[@DadBurl]

I like that where he could've added music and time lapse he chose not to. Just the beautiful hum of diesel engines. Nice touch Neil!

[@digdrivediy]

I'm thankful that someone appreciated that!

[@sameaston1301]

Any one of us who ever played with trucks in a sandbox when we were kids is wishing we could take a turn 😁👍

[@digdrivediy]

It's good fun!

[@lestermoore7878]

Absolutely Agreed!!!!!!!

[@argee55]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@Karakaboardriders]

Absolutely 😂 still love playing in diggers

[@adamv5047]

I imagine the “Thank you party” for your crew of family and friends will be pretty fun and rewarding after this project. Looks like a saw maybe a sneak peek at another future Father And Son electrical project sitting in a crate in your shop. I guess I will have to stay tuned to future videos to find out.

[@digdrivediy]

Good eye! Yes, that's a future project that hopefully I can get done before we actually need it!

[@toddehling2319]

You're making your dads day too by having him drive the dump truck for ya. That smile on his face is priceless you know for a fact that he really does miss driving the big trucks.. 😁😁😁

[@blackdogexcavator21]

Out of all the cool things you have going on, the one thing that I'm jealous of is your family/support network. You are very fortunate my friend.

[@digdrivediy]

Indeed. It is never lost on me how fortunate we are to have our parents and family so close. That's why we only moved across the field. Golf cart ride to my folks and hers!

[@tractorstrailsandlivingfree]

I'm really enjoying this series! Thanks

[@egomaniac247]

Joined the channel about a month ago...just a casual interest....I'm totally invested in this pond now lol. Great video

[@digdrivediy]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@richardwentland3489]

Happy Fathers Day and God’s Blessings,to you and your Dad! Curly

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks!

[@zachdobbs7810]

Love seeing your dad and fil in these videos. Having active grandparents around the kids like that is so awesome.

[@digdrivediy]

I'm so thankful they are willing participants in these videos! :)

[@davids2676]

i like the ford dump truck the most because i can actually picture myself driving it haha. i love seeing the smaller truck and small digger working. its my dream set up

[@digdrivediy]

That F-750 is a joy to drive. Just put it in "D" and push the pedal. It drives like a pickup.

[@tonynieuwlandt5407]

It was actually kind of fun driving the dump truck, and hanging out with uncle Jack, looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[@digdrivediy]

Glad you were here. I had Alex on camera too but no audio...

[@jacobbuckley8232]

Bet the neighbors are happy theyre getting all that free dirt.

[@digdrivediy]

They're pretty pumped about it!

[@jacobbuckley8232]

@@digdrivediy how many loads? Dont think u said

[@digdrivediy]

@@jacobbuckley8232 That was a question I asked in this video so I will say how many in the next video.

[@jacobbuckley8232]

@@digdrivediy ok

[@ryanhays4326]

Thank you neil for more general content. Everytime i see this truck i still reminisce on all the memories i have riding in the passenger seat with my father in his general!

[@ajy1696]

Neil you seem like you never quit. You have the best mindset to keep working and work hard. I’m sure you are a great father too. Keep kicking Neil, I would love to meet you one day.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@mikehoysler4322]

685 loads came out of that hole. Pretty cool you had that much family to help you and they knew how to operate them. I’m only 66 but all my kin have passed on but even if they were alive I doubt they’dve pulled this off. Nicely done.

[@matthewpage9617]

Dish soap helps and standing on the rim. Lol Thanks for the good laugh I see a new video coming of a stand alone generator. That poor old Bronco still sitting in the weather uncovered 😢.

[@digdrivediy]

Good eye on that generator! The Bronco is getting a new body. The old one is outside and the new one is inside 😉 (There was a glimpse of it in the last video)

[@matthewpage9617]

Neil of the new donor truck?

[@digdrivediy]

@@matthewpage9617 yes 😉

[@mmaiorano3]

Great job Neil. An even greater job by your dad and FIL. You’re blessed to have so much knowledge and help from them, in addition from them putting in work!

[@digdrivediy]

For sure!

[@robertblain9968]

Good Morning Neil this little project you have going on. With a little TLC that General would be a sharp-looking truck

[@digdrivediy]

Yeah it could be really nice!

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

Neil… I’m going with 71 loads… that’s the year I turned 18… started my first full time job… realized I didn’t know as much as I thought I did! So, if I’m wrong… 71 will still be teaching me something! When you hit that water I got nervous. A water table would have been a disaster… you can’t stack water on top of water! Fortunately it was just an old bury pit. I don’t know if I would quite describe your tire changing crew as a “NASCAR Pit Crew”… more like a voyage of discovery with a landing in the right destination! LOL Way back… when there were no self service gas stations and radial tires didn’t exist… I had just turned 16. One of my high school buddies worked evenings at his dads truck stop. After the evening milking was finished, I’d hang out there and pump gas, wash windshields, air tires, etc. Often times there would be flat tires that needed repaired or replaced. Repairs meant patching tubes and / or booting tires. Very few people ran tubeless tires that could be plugged. That meant every tire had to be broken down. My buddy, who was also 16 and weighed 165lb, had a hand break, tire hammer and a collection of pry bars. Aside from the chain-falls hoist bolted to the ceiling… that’s all he used to breakdown tires. I helped him do everything from bicycle to rear tractor tires. Those big truck tires were some of the worst. (Split rings were easy…) You Were Right… Solid rims like yours were best changed on the truck. Whether on the floor or the truck, he was really quite adept at getting the tires off and putting them on the wheel. His well practiced techniques made it look simple. Breaking the bead, prying off the front then the back was a matter of maybe 10 minutes of effort. Putting the tire back in the rim took only slightly more… when he did it. Less, if I helped him pry on them. Then, I tried it by myself… just breaking the bead took me a half hour. After we took a Pepsi break… he coached me through an hour of doing it myself. Fortunately, it was on his dads wrecker and we didn’t have to deal with a grumpy truck driver looking over our shoulders! That was one of those life lessons that has served me well… not because I learned so much about changing tires… but the memories of two teenage boys high on a Pepsi fueled sugar rush, sweltering in the still, summer evening heat… laughing and bonding over a task that would be impossible to any of our peers… but common knowledge to most every adult that we knew. It cemented our friendship. Having your family and friends there, to help change the tire and dig the pond, may be as much of a memory as the satisfaction of the completed pond turns out to be. For me, it often turns out that the journey is so much more rewarding than arrival at the destination!

[@digdrivediy]

I couldn't agree more Dave. The memories associated with completing this project will likely be as steadfast as any memories that come from enjoying the pond. That tire change was a challenge that I likely wouldn't have tackled given any other circumstance. And if it hadn't happened on a holiday, my first call would have been to every tire shop within a comfortable driving distance. I've changed plenty of small tires and watched a good number of truck tires get swapped out, but it didn't help much in developing a technique for this one. According to the comments my biggest error was not lubing up the tire to remove it from the rim, something I normally don't need to do on a car tire or smaller. Nonetheless, we got it done although as you mentioned, it wasn't quite to Nascar standards! :) Actually my Father-in-law worked at a filling station when he was a kid and recounts memories almost identical to what you described in your comment. Those lessons have served him well over the years and as you can see, he's still putting them to use. Thanks for the great comment. I could imagine how good that Pespi tasted back then! Now, it can start raining again! :) PS - We have an interesting water table situation around here that I will get into sometime in a future video. I have some hopes and ideas on how this pond will fill up and stay full! :)

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

@@digdrivediy I’m looking forward to seeing it. Thanks. PS… my buddy always used Automatic Transmission Fluid as tire lube. It shined the tires up too!

[@d.a.ballou9740]

This is nothing I would ever try doing, but it is fun to watch and realize just how much goes into digging a hole in the ground! Love the Disney references too! 😁👨‍🚒

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Good video, Neil. You don't take shortcuts! Tractor Hard! 🚜💪!

[@ischmidt]

The pond's really shaping up. The depth doesn't always come across well on camera, but then you see a machine or a person down on the bottom and realize that yeah, it is 10 or 12 feet deep in spots. And you're very lucky to have Dad and FIL to help out!

[@digdrivediy]

Very true. In some shots it barely looks like several feet deep. But, as you pointed out it will have about 11' of water at the deepest point.

[@Jay-fl3hd]

It’s awesome that you have family support. It just makes things better! Great video and teamwork

[@johnhamilton9229]

The toys you get to play with. So cool.

[@digdrivediy]

Yes, indeed.

[@Oklahoman-in6ph]

Good job neighbor, looking good.

[@oakrunacres2564]

Great progress Neil. You're very fortunate to have such a great family and community network. It makes any job possible with all the willing and helping hands. You're Dad looked like he was having a ball driving The General. I'm looking forward to the next video and the finished product. I know if will be great! Dave

[@digdrivediy]

I definitely think he was enjoying it. Only thing missing was a little AC on those hot afternoons!

[@vw0514]

I'm going to guess 56 loads... Good video! I love that GMC btw!

[@matthewsolari802]

Neil lubrication is your friend in changing those tires. I never do them on the truck just simple stand on them and work them off but the more slip you got the better.

[@duaneamos4413]

Looking really nice Neil! Can't wait to see the finished product.

[@jackel440]

You guys are making great progress and how awesome is it that your Dad and FIL are helping out as well. What great memories your all making together.

[@digdrivediy]

For sure!

[@Shockedbywater]

18:05 Best part of the video, he looks like he is a having a blast as I would be. It's been too long since I drove a standard and a big vehicle.

[@digdrivediy]

For sure 😀

[@ALZ2526]

Getting the job done, great video, family and friends come together make the fix and get it done. Love it, keep the great content coming. 80 truck loads I would guess.

[@Thecowboy1950]

So glad to see the industrial jd318 working on the pond job

[@Mike-Wisconsin]

Best part of the whole video. “ Do You Trust Me “ lol 😂

[@KingsOutdoorLife]

Great video Neil! It seems like every project I do has a break for a breakdown or flat tire or something. The beauty of using old stuff. Great to see the family all working together!

[@hollandduck79]

Hello from the Netherlands Koch Family . thanks for the video Neil. Sincerely Hollandduck

[@Just.a.Therapist]

Hometown Acres needs your help with his pond!

[@digdrivediy]

I wish he were closer.

[@leol1682]

Enjoyed the video Neil and enjoy yor Dad and all your familys too .God Bless .

[@richardclifton4120]

Progress. That's all that matters. I was out of town this weekend so I am just now catching up to what others have seen already. This pond will draw some wildlife in, so if a flock of geese shows up, don't be surprised. 😀

[@dubberkm7200]

You guys are great. Is there nothing you guys can't do? Seriously though, nice work and team work. Reminds me of the country/ farm community I grew up in. Always someone you know to call in a pinch, even on holidays, that can help and is ready and willing to. You are a lucky man to live amongst such great friends and family. Keep up the good work and helping each other out.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much!

[@funtyes1970]

I think that big dump truck would be great for this channel restoring it .seem like it runs good just need some love that is all

[@terrancesnyder9323]

Good morning Neil

[@digdrivediy]

Hello there Terrance!

[@carlfondelheitiii2742]

Great job, lots of hard work going on at yr place. Carl FONDEROSA FARMS MD

[@johanhermans8210]

Hello Neil, you made a lot of progress on the project . It's quite the hole you're digging, luckily you had all the machines to do it and a lot of luck with the weather.The tire blowout was a bummer, but you and the guys did an awesome job changing out the tire by hand . You could use starterfluid to set the bead if it fights you,works really well. But You could also use a beadbazooka if the budget allows it .Nice to see your dad at work he is still going strong. Respect for his work 👏. Wish you guys all the best, looking forward to seeing the next episode off the project . We are so lucky that you want to share this with us. Greetings from belgium 🇧🇪

[@digdrivediy]

Hi Johan! Thanks so much or following along with our project. The next tire would be easier, but I hope there isn't another opportunity to try.

[@mjrc123]

Fantastic video as always. I’m guessing 88 loads. Can’t wait to see more progress!

[@stephenwhiteley2879]

Really enjoyed the video Neil, thanks for sharing

[@eddiemortontapman7252]

So your wife wants to go to Myrtle Beach , SC and it’s way too far to go often , so you are building her her own beach close by , what a good husband you are indeed ! Something to Love , something to Do and Something to look Forward to!

[@digdrivediy]

That's the plan!

[@ianwille5780]

It’s nice to see some people have family that they can rely on. My family can’t even decide what to eat for Christmas dinner without having a blowout bitch fest. Kudos to you and your family. I wish I was your neighbor!!

[@terryrogers1025]

190 loads of dirt, fun project, the tire issue was better than losing the transmission or differential gearing, could of been a whole lot worse, given it was Memorial Day I would you did well getting back to the project as soon as you did. Thanks for the tag along video sir, enjoyed it.

[@digdrivediy]

You're so very right Terry. It could have been much worse and as far as bumps in the road go, this was hardly noticeable in the overall trip.

[@danielwalker1398]

You guys made light work of moving that dirt!

[@digdrivediy]

It actually went really well after it's all said and done.

[@joebacarella2829]

Wow, what a crew, thats a lot of loads, good thing it`s only a mile down the road, I think maybe 60 truck loads, I love the pond build, keep em coming.

[@michaelmcguire3983]

Another great video Niel! That camera is a good one! It’s so nice that you have help! Especially when you have breakdowns … I guess misery loves company 🥴 Keep plugging away!! Take care my friend

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Mike! I don't know what I do without all the help! Well I guess I know I wouldn't be getting nearly as much done!

[@Brette_Caldwell]

It's turning out great! Great job Neil 👍

[@bobanderson2807]

I just came over from Captain Kleeman channel and I am glad I did. Both of you have great videos. Bob A

[@digdrivediy]

Hey thanks for stopping by Bob! I appreciate that Kleeman pointed some of you folks this way!

[@Farm_fab]

Neil, a ratchet strap might have made seating the bead more simple. It's often used for smaller tires like riding mowers and the like.

[@digdrivediy]

I had one at the ready when we finally got it to seat!

[@659009stan]

Love this! Keep on going!

[@Andyrob323]

Seeing how much a project like this takes, it makes me really appreciate the pond my father in law built on our property. It’s a little bigger than what you have going and he did all the work with a bobcat 753 skidsteer (tire machine!) I can’t imagine the hours he had into the project

[@michaelmaker8169]

Dirt perfect has a lot of pond builds. Check his channel out.

[@digdrivediy]

That would be quite a commitment with a skid loader for sure!

[@davidurfer7632]

7:42 When building a support network, having 150ish years of life experience is recommended. Success was all but guaranteed. I'm thinking this whole series could be called, "What would a father do for their children?" You for the twins and your Dad and FIL for you and your wife.

[@digdrivediy]

What a great comment. Thank you.

[@Tdale85]

Good Sunday Morning Neil! Have a relaxing Sunday! 37 loads of dirt

[@davidoliver2826]

Love this project and love that you take us all on the journey! Brings back great memories, through the ups and downs of excavation work. Old equipment like me, still works just need TLC and a whole lot of tinkering! Until next time!

[@dirtgreaseoutdoorpeace6637]

Nice job. Love your project.

[@Crazy.Runner]

Hi Neil! It was a real display of strength there😁. The project has advanced a lot and the hard part is over. I like the enthusiasm with which you work on your projects and the attention you give to details. Good luck with that! Have a productive Sunday! About the loads of dirt, I think thera was about 60 loads🤔

[@mitchwinder1204]

That General is a beauty. It needs to be restored and put back on the road.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I would have thought recovering from the General’s flat would take more than 4 hours. Great team work!

[@adampittman1624]

Great video Neil gotta love the old timers lil tricks of the trade from years of experience my dad does it to me all the time I can struggle on something and he comes n pewf he got it thank goodness lol pond is shaping up nicely

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

That’s exactly the way it works… my dad and grandpa used to walk up, while I was struggling and drop a nugget that led to achievement gold… now, I get to do the same to my kids and grand kids! You’re gonna love spreading gold dust too!

[@digdrivediy]

Appreciate it Adam!

[@digdrivediy]

I like the thought of that gold dust!

[@erikrunas226]

You do some of the coolest stuff. Keep the videos coming.

[@kevinarnold213]

Your shows are great and i am becoming a faithful subscriber

[@digdrivediy]

That is great to hear! Thanks so much!

[@paulweakley3440]

"Do you trust me?".... Neil is so hesitant "ya..."

[@edsecorr7812]

Great job looking great keep up the great work love your videos we need more thank you

[@Aerospace_EdC]

Looking good Neil, great progress, lucky you have great help and access to the equipment. I don't know how it's by you but here in NJ we've had really no rain (until today) so hopefully it won't take forever to fill the pond.

[@BryanPAllen]

Nice work

[@S.W.A.T_YT1]

Its so good to see u loading.a truck with a excavator and with a backhoe

[@BigFarles]

Great work. Can’t wait to see the next steps.

[@markdavies9912]

Great job all. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Mark!

[@goptools]

Hi Neil. I did truck tires for a while and when we got both beads starting to come off, we would use a big, heavy rubber sledge hammer to beat the rim out the rest of the way. I think your way of using the forks was better. If you have tubeless tires on multiple trucks, it might be worthwhile to keep some spare valve stems (the whole, long stem) in stock. They are not too expensive and they tend to get bungerred up on the end. My guess for total loads is 57. I'm probably way off. Great how everyone pulls together and helps out. You don't see that as much as you used to. Thanks for the video! -mike

[@digdrivediy]

Those are great suggestions. Yeah, a spare valve stem would have made life a little easier. Also doing this on any day other than a holiday would have been good too! You're guess is not too far off. Thanks for the comment Mike!

[@goptools]

@@digdrivediy Cool! Looking forward to hearing the actual number of loads.

[@jasonmaxfield6y312]

Love it!

[@josephmaxfield4783]

Shaping up nicely. 85 loads

[@digdrivediy]

JOE!!! :)

[@joshyoung]

Looking so good!!

[@richryan8904]

Every moment of this was fascinating! I completely enjoyed it and I really liked your respect to you FiL and your dad, and to their years of life experience. Especially so on your dad’s trucking experience. Top output this week: thank you 🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@digdrivediy]

Thank you very much Rich.

[@Nova-dx7yx]

would love to do the same to my backyard… this video reminds me of the song by Arron tipman BIG BOY TOYS

[@davidfisher69]

You guys moved alot of truck loads of dirt. Having a hole like that and a big dirt pile, I was hoping to see you ride the Honda 3 wheeler in it.

[@williamwhite9275]

I'm going to guess 127 loads but keep up the great videos

[@livedlearnedDIY]

Enjoying seeing the progress. Not too far away from you guys today. Staying in Lima for my sons graduation from UNOH.

[@digdrivediy]

Oh nice. Yeah, Lima is about an hour from here.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Incredible work

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Brock!

[@DelButch]

Awesome job fantastic swim pond for the family Neil

[@bluegrallis]

At 15:34 I saw something yellow fall in the truck. I had to back up and slow it way down, to see it was a piece of the yellow tile that you dug up in the last video. 😎

[@digdrivediy]

Good eye! Yes, we followed that tile all the way through the center of the pond.

[@BillyBob38846]

Pond is looking good, keep it up! I'd say you took out 125 load's of dirt.

[@digdrivediy]

The answer is in the video following this one. It was just 68 loads that we trucked out I think.

[@gabrielchristopher9625]

Awesome progress. It is a surprising amount of dirt. I’m guessing 76.5 truckloads.

[@brucemitchell5637]

It looks like you have a whole house genset installation video coming up in the future!

[@digdrivediy]

Maybe... wink, wink

[@MidwestToolReview]

Great Job Neil!!! I'll have to drive over one day and check it out in person.

[@digdrivediy]

Yeah, check you should check it out. Were you still needing 316 parts? I'm sorry I've lost track of where we were on that stuff. My mind is too scrambled these days.

[@paulatkinson2849]

Great job done by u and ur family 👍

[@thedelcodave]

Neil and Team moved a lot of dirt. My guess would be 80 loads between the two trucks.

[@digdrivediy]

You're close!

[@thedelcodave]

@@digdrivediy I hope we get to find out in next weeks episode.

[@aaronburford5701]

Love this episode and content..... Great job!

[@Georgiagreen317]

Good Morning Mr. Hanks? Well, you have sort of become the Tom Hanks of KZbin. (Hollywoods Mr. nice guy he's called) and it fits you too. As usual, another Sunday morning of interesting content. Man, when you get into something there seem to be no limits. I've wrestled a few of those tires way back when. You have to take advantage of the drop center rim. Keep the bead in that deep groove. I never became good at it but I had a mechanic that didn't weigh much over 150 lbs and about 5'5" tall that could change those tires out in a matter of minutes. As with all things, it's an acquired technique. I love watching Dad skin the General. Being a similar age, I know how much he's enjoying working with his son and being useful. I had the TV running behind me while I watched your video and the contrast was amazing. Nothing but bad news behind, and family life as it should be in front. You are truly blessed. 55 loads. Any idea how much fuel this took? Just curious. I'm not going to report you to the tree huggers.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm guessing it took less than 250 gallons for all the equipment for the entire dig.

[@acemannw]

It is looking really good!! Could you have swapped one of the mounted wheels and tires off the mid axles?

[@digdrivediy]

I was gonna try to do that had I not found a tire right away.

[@kentvelie8475]

Soapy water or wd 40 on the bead is your best friend taking tires of a rim

[@tonysantana1493]

There's a technique taking the tires off the rim and putting them back on wish I could have been there to help.

[@DirtBrute]

Good job guys ! It sounds like the general needs a new clutch brake or adjustment

[@digdrivediy]

For sure! That will need to be the first order of business for the new owner once this hits the market! :)

[@DirtBrute]

@@digdrivediy oh she’s a one project truck . Gotcha. 👍

[@logankoch9597]

I think the general needs some aluminum rims asap! 😉

[@digdrivediy]

I couldn't agree more...

[@natem939]

Hey Neil, we love your pond digging project! Barrett and I wanted to guess it took 50 loads of dirt. Really hoping everything works out! Best from Nebraska!

[@digdrivediy]

Hey thanks Nate and Barrett!