How to Dig a Basement | Heavy Equipment Operator

[@DirtPerfect]

Thanks for having me on the channel guys!!!!

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks Mike! You are a wealth of knowledge and excited that you are willing to share that with our fans! Love your passion about advocating for the trades!

[@williammatthews2948]

An added bonus is no mirrors were damaged in the making of this film. Lol.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

@@williammatthews2948 I feel like I'm missing an inside joke here...hmmmmm

[@CaptainKleeman]

@@williammatthews2948 are you kidding me! You bring these jokes over to other channels!! 😂😂😂😂

[@williammatthews2948]

@@CaptainKleeman I haven't made a mirror related comment in a while. Just know that I kid because I care:-)

[@petersipp5247]

I like the explanation of efficient/coordinated digging/putting the dirt in the direction the customer wants the dirt to end up...less effort on your part. Very cool.

[@Cornelius798]

I worked construction 33 years. I'm retired now but enjoy these videos. This guy knows his trade well.

[@adamstar7516]

How much don you think it cost?

[@PoohOnYourShoe]

This is exactly why I like being an operator. Everything is a puzzle. Whether it be planning out my dig pattern with an excavator, or planning out your paths on a paver in a driveway or parking lot, or even the fastest way to strip dirt with a dozer.. it’s all a fun puzzle to solve. The better you are at puzzles, the faster you can get things done.

[@parkourguyyy]

as an electrician debating building his own house at some point, foundations have been the part of it that scares me the most, and this honestly puts my mind at ease at how atleast the preparation is done. It also helps I really only want something rectangular and super simple. thanks for the tips!

[@KevinJonasx11]

I’ve done light excavation work, machines are pretty simple to run (just be patient), and if you know how to measure there should be no issues

[@JUSTINEDWARDS1984]

I am a NCCER certified heavy equipment operator - great video

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@Natural-Causes]

The the best videos I’ve seen on the subject that goes into detail for those of us learning. Would love you to do more of these, highlighting from an overhead view while explaining what your just did.

[@JNHEscapes]

Excellent video. Your pace was perfect, there was no wasting of time with jokes and talking. Just explanation of scope of work, examples and detail. Perfect. The only thing I would want more is to know what it cost!

[@calebhart751]

Love the old jD 350 still going! Great little loaders

[@1loadermanjack]

Digging a hole, Just digging a hole Not everybody knows how to do that. Thanks for sharing. 👍😎

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Yup...got to learn somewhere

[@karlwhite7420]

Thank you for the video. Will help people save money. Please continue!

[@GoldsConcrete]

These big machines are definitely the way to go when you have the room. We've had to many tight fit, and hand shoveled jobs over the years !

[@abdelhadielkoubykafalearnt9605]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5fIn5Kbj7-Weck

[@tomwainwright7102]

No comment buddie, you know my thoughts about your videos ,whatever chanel you are on.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Dirt Perfect is awesome! Thanks for the comment!

[@jeff7764]

Simple but great idea making the line with the story pole

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@alekstsymbol8803]

Great Video!! I appreciate you guys for taking out the time to make these, Can you shed some light on what’s the estimating process for a job like this. Is it priced per sq ft, or per yd, or just the time it takes, it would greatly help out. Thanks

[@marcsmith3748]

What we have learned today is that trucks don't float. This video really was helpful though.

[@wolfgangkohler2508]

Wonderful job ! Great explanation. A person can learn a lot from you.

[@michaelkoop6731]

Love any video ur on DP. Ur a great man and an awesome worker. Great explanation of what and how and why u do it the way u do it.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Yes he is! Thanks for the comment!

[@manuelorellana3646]

Thanks very much for the videos I’m a concrete guy in Colorado and looking to start on excavation this summer really helpful video. Keep up the great work you do.

[@DIRT-BOSS]

Looking good DP 💪🏼

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Oh yeah!

[@scottmccoy4129]

Great Video! Could you perhaps do another one in the future that focuses a little more on establishing the grade per spec. Good stuff!!

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Definitely will try to do that...thanks

[@abdelhadielkoubykafalearnt9605]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5fIn5Kbj7-Weck

[@vincentl.8145]

had to do a double take on which YT channel this was on! but the intro gave it away! DT will NEVER start with "good morning guys!" on his channel! :-)

[@ConstructionMachineryChannel]

Same here, I thought my channel got mixed up on KZbin.

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Lol...guess that will be out differentiator!

[@matthewharris3938]

Good video. Interesting to see how the pros do it.

[@andyb3735]

Once you reach the required depth, how do you manage to keep straight line for footings?

[@ernieforrest7218]

Well notice that although there dosent appear to be much, there is no less a layer of top soil on top. That should be stripped off first, including an area beyond the wall lines, and piled in a separate pile. That should be used for the finish grading. The subsoil is kept separate and used for backfilling. Although an excavator is a good machine for digging, it does require a second machine for moving the dirt away. Reason being that even the larger excavators cant reach all that far when dumping. So that means 2 machines and 2 operators for digging a basement. Not to mention the added cost for moving 2 machines to and from the job site. Although the crawler loader seen in the video is on the small side, it none the less could have done that job by itself. I was a home builder for many years, all we ever used for excavating basements was a crawler loader. And we always set batter boards before any excavating took place. Otherwise its necessary to reestablish the wall lines for each phase of the foundation process, and thats time consuming. But again, its harder for a large machine with less mobility to work around batter boards. An experienced contractor will know what machine will work best for the project involved. And thats what gets used, not left to the excavator to determine based upon what machinery he has.

[@adamstar7516]

Good video. I guess the biggest question is… how much did it cost to do this?

[@jeremyfisher4430]

This was great, kicking around doing basements. Just gotta get my confidence up. Lol

[@Monuments_to_Good_Intentions]

Why dony people go 8’-10’ down for basements? Thats so odd to have basement above the yard

[@kmyrold88]

did your dirt have to hit the back corner? i ask because the only reason i heard in the video for your dirt placement was for backfill....in that case why not open her up and leave four corners of access for concrete pour and walls and make it easier on the dozer for backfill having dirt for all walls, also makes it simple for pea stone for window well and access for shooter truck....just spit balling, i dig up here in michigan brother, clean basement at the end of the day, nice work!

[@ehsantop2442]

Very nice . Thank you so much

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@michaelvazquez8717]

Great video, man. ❤️

[@themonopolyguy4365]

Been running backhoe for a small outfit the last few years. Digging my second basement this weekend in heavy clay with a 120c. The first one I dug was for my house and it took forever, a bit unorganized and had problems with making decent shelves on the slopes. I’m still a bit nervous but feel more confident after watching this.

[@JayD_113]

how did your job go?

[@UnwrappingByMimiKoteng]

Amazing

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks for the comment!

[@nolesdennhardt8986]

thank you

[@DrKniz]

Can you show more of the hand controls in your shots? Nice video BTW..

[@sayaroninking8022]

Serious question I WANT TO WORK IN THIS TYPE FIELD BUT The people say I need experience where do u get experience if no where will even take u as an intern or nothing

[@changes8]

It was a bit confusing and idk if a drone with a map and drawings with arrows would help lol I want to build my own house one day and it needs a basement

[@garageworker]

Great videos guys, I subscribe to both channels.

[@DirtPerfect]

Thanks appreciate that

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Awesome...thank you for the support!

[@900bcy6]

Great video Mike. Would ledge be a big problem if you were only digging a 4 ft foundation for a raised ranch? Have a wooded lot in Maine and hoping I don't have to blast.

[@davecalvo6418]

Great video, I'm about to purchase ten acres of raw land in Northern Idaho and I will be clearing the land myself (I had a tree and excavation business previously here in CT) and I will be digging the footings for a "walk out" basement into a slope for my chalet style home. I'm even looking at the same machine you have here, John Deere 120 or a Volvo 140

[@juanconsepcion1116]

Amazing!!!!!!! Good stuff

[@Boe765]

Is the terrace or safety dig is that only after 3 feet u gotta dig a terrace on one side or both cause that would take forever

[@trellkennett]

Good video!

[@Boe765]

Do u paint ur reference lines and use laser when digging out the middle

[@MrPooNipples]

Hey, I’m in the process of shopping an excavator now. Torn on the size I like the new 313 very versatile good for utility work land clearing amd trenching. But a rep told me for the difference in cost I should jump into a 317 or 320 what’s your thoughts any cons of going that big? I demoed the 313 and I love but they are telling me go bigger.

[@elijahwise8223]

Shane idk if u already chose bc u made this comment 3 months ago but get what ur comfortable with! It’s there job to up sell you. If u don’t need to upsize why should you?

[@jaycezeniuk2506]

Will you get a load of top soil to go ontop of the sub/clay? That dirt looked full of roots and muskeg kinda

[@AJohnson0325]

what is the beeping stick called?

[@static-remission27]

Cool vid. Some things match the 55,000 dollar liner pool gigs.

[@mitchellnash5285]

What’s the best boots for Clay I been trying find some because I got do the grade at my job and it’s always wet clay

[@Cornelius798]

Muck boots.

[@EmilyW.isawakenotwoke]

Hmmm. So, my question is, can I operate one of these? Will I be able to dig a very deep and big hole with one of those or is there something else more appropriate? And lastly, am I going to die attempting it? 🤔

[@kinleygyeltshen6494]

What is that stick that is making sound?

[@hot00head00red]

I wanna do this, is it worth paying for school and try finding a career in a company, is this in demand

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Yes in demand, but wouldn’t pay for a school. I think the best is on the job training so find a local company and start at the bottom.

[@stacyjoseph1551]

Where are you located? We are in GA (with red clay), is the process similar for a basement?

[@moms762]

Were you not concerned about removing the topsoil first and saving it for re-spreading? I noticed it was getting mixed in with the clay.

[@ars_danny5020]

Im sure they don’t care about top soil. Just want the excavation done

[@cfg7523]

Most good excavators will separate

[@josephbohme7917]

I want to lift a 1300 sf central CA 1952 home. It is 12" above grade and want a complete 9' finished ceilings deep basement but it will be wider on all sides by Greater than 3" so anout 70x30. I even want to put in space below garage and get new garage floor slabs placed above for car loads. Wanted to see most productive ht to crib and lift home to begin excavataion. Can be higher for a while than can be lowered to new walls and suspension system. Can access all sides. Front & rear also. Garage is attached and at ground on slab now. what excabvbator would be best to do dirt removal. I know lift needs to slide in steel beams from to rear span is about 24' at most. Comments? Rather have finished lift perhaps > 18" & do deep basement than a 2nd story.

[@mighthookya2637]

Not saving any top soil??

[@jayk.8192]

How do you deal with large, rocks or boulders within the dig?

[@richardarieta1271]

Doesn't look like they have boulders in that sand. In Northeast PA we have some hard soil. If they are too big you have to use a hammer on a machine.

[@D64nz]

It would depend on how large they are. You'd either have to remove them and then fill and compact the hole, or, if you're lucky, try to burry them deeper into the ground. Last option is to break them in to smaller rocks if the other two won't work. That would either be a hammer or blasting.

[@Rick-tb4so]

Is it common for the ground to be mostly clay ?

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Really depends on where you are located....Different soil types all over the country.

[@DirtPerfect]

Yes it is in this location

[@mckennasmyth1143]

how many days did it take? :)

[@GHAFFARMD]

Hello

[@huntercimini5640]

thought that was a beer in the cab rofl

[@ramonvalerio7028]

I’m need Trini having machine

[@AM-bk9ei]

I'm building a house. Do you think it'd be worth it to buy the equipment, dig the basement myself and sell at the end of the build?

[@D64nz]

Maybe hiring is an option? It would depend on how long you needed it I guess.

[@chiccenhawkc]

💯💙🔥👍

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Thanks!

[@zelfiekolgeci5731]

I drive excavator wile im a kid

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

Cool

[@yardhelpwithjames821]

First

[@HeavyMetalLearning]

First reply

[@rem45acp]

I know nothing of this type of work, but digging a basement must be a forgiving job. If you dig too deep, just put dirt back and pack. Dig too wide or long put it back and pack. Seems like you can always fix it until it's just right and perfect. Even pottery isn't this forgiving because it hardens quickly.

[@fatstax8478]

You cut to much of the video we want to see everything if we gonna do it ourselves