Pond Fix Gone Wrong: Steep Slopes & Mud Make Adding Bentonite a Challenge!

In the final push to seal the pond before winter, Tractor Time with Tim uses the John Deere 3046R and Kubota Mini-Ex (Kubota U48-5) to distribute bentonite, till it in, and compact the side walls.
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[@aaronburford5701]

i find this process fascinating with trying to prevent leakage. I watched Piney Grove channel and they were having issues with pond leakage, looks like your way is a better process than what they tried. Thanks for sharing great content and information!

[@ritterjon]

Congrats to Katriel! Pretty exciting news. Have fun shopping! *Keep on tractoring!*

[@roybrochu5409]

Tim that pond is massive. I enjoy seeing you learn using your equipment and venturing into other realms. IE the mini excavator. Keep us guessing what’s next. That’s what makes your channel.

[@billybobs841]

I forgot to tell this part they was another pond bout 500ft or so above the 1 that flushed like a toilet and about 10 min or so the other pond flushed and he had not even dug in it that's wat was so crazy about it ... good video bud

[@billybobs841]

Hey I've experienced this logging when u on steep ground and ur hydrulics quit and u set thar ur running your pump on air not good for life of your hydraulics

[@Kcolby47]

It sure helps to be able to use the right tools for the job. Congratulations to Katriel! Neil’s little greeting is the “gift that keeps on giving!”😊. Blessings.

[@jdfleetguy28]

Another great video, congrats on your daughter’s wedding.

[@unclealansyard5176]

Tim, I'm sure there's lots of folks who may steam KZbin on the TV and i don't think there's a easy way to like it. I always try and go back on my phone to hit like and comment. Appreciate your channel and hard work and time you put in so others can learn from you.

[@Zanderthelab]

Awe! Congratulations Katriel! That’s awesome!

[@AlwayzPr0]

this pond project was great to watch!! I am praying for rain and the pond to hold!!

[@freepatriot6313]

Congrats to Katriel!! Seems I’ve watched her grow up to a fine young Lady. I’ve been watching your channel from the beginning Tim. I was one of the first forum members @ Deeretalk before Deere made them change it to greentractortalk. I haven’t posted much in awhile there. My forum name was rgd. Again… congratulations!!!

[@martinmcgee5503]

Tim and Christy I have enjoyed watching you rework your pond , it’s been educational and very interesting. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@JazzBass-dx9sl]

Love your Pond Project. Also, family farm videos bring back memories keep them comming.

[@earlyriser8998]

Tim, my pond on our farm needs to be expanded but we have clay mixed with sand stone. Not sand but sand stone. So if you expose the rock you create a leak. After watching all the work you did we will proceed very cautiously to expand without creating a leak. This was a very impressive project.

[@brettblack7049]

Looks great, cant wait to see it full. Hopefully in the spring, I'll be ready to get back to working on mine, i have a few trees around the hole that still need to be cleaned up from the storm 2 months ago. Be blessed.

[@robbridges7810]

Puckering power went through the roof! Looks great Tim. I think you have done the best that you could try, for the pond water. Love watching!

[@snapperkc9317]

Your cleaned out pond is a beautiful addition to your property. Congratulations to your daughter!!

[@cttech]

Looking great Tim! Congrats to Katriel on her pending nuptials. Such wonderful news!

[@RandyBeretta-db5bg]

Tim and Christy y'all are amazing.!!! I have learned so much from your videos.!!! You guys are definitely 5 Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ people .!!! God Bless You and your Family.! ®️

[@jessebucholtz9504]

Looking fabulous

[@randysavage8963]

LETS GET STARTED . Great commentary and explanations

[@PastorDavidFranklin]

Great job. Always interesting Guys. Izzy will definitely learn a thing or two around Tim. Congratulations Katriel!

[@ibwaldo]

Lots of great information in this one that you wouldn’t have known about without testing your soil. You’ve overcome a lot of challenges during the process of getting this pond closer to completion. I can only imagine the frustration that this project has caused, but I’m confident it will be worth it in the end and the costs involved should wash out (if you will) with increasing your property value and overall enjoyment with the final results. It’s been a very interesting process to follow and it’s great to see you nearing completion and still have having a positive attitude. Well done even if there were some missteps along the way.

[@PEI_Guy]

Lots of education for you on this project and the opportunity to use some new attachments. In the end I think you will have a nice pond and the expense and work will be worth it.

[@lonnien.clifton1113]

VERY GOOD-LOOKING DIG-OUT FOR THE POND.

[@jddriver9565]

Oh my good your place with the woods in the back(and the fall colors) looks so amazing!😍

[@NotMuchHere]

pond looks great

[@frankcunningham6335]

Was looking forward to this video. Now I need to get to work on my pond. We are finally getting some rain here in TX so I better hurry! Thanks for sharing!

[@Rickshaw103]

It's looking good Tim !

[@ralphjelomono9068]

Nice to see that the tiller mixed in the chemical and provided a nice groomed wall. The compactor was really cool to watch. It provided a nice finishing touch to the sides and sure will help minimize erosion. Based on how much water collected after a 1" rain it looks like you might get a lot of water collection from winter rain and snow melt. This was a great project to watch.

[@donhendrick6174]

Looking good

[@terrygroce1594]

I have enjoyed you pond series for fixing the pond. I hope you get many likes and hope the best on this projects. hope you will continue the videos.

[@cwolf8841]

Pond? Lake Tim!

[@bobcatsmith246]

Congratulations, Katriel, Cristie, and Tim.

[@jameskennerly9748]

Awesome job!

[@michaelhammock6782]

Pond is looking real good Mr. Tim

[@sewerman911]

Looks great!

[@PaulLB7]

Really been enjoying this project. It has us thinking of doing something similar.

[@floydferguson5366]

Great video!

[@Austoner421]

The tiller is very satisfying to watch.

[@photocontrol]

The excavator mounted tiller and compactor are working great for the slopes.

[@jburch1544]

Pond series has been interesting and good information

[@shadlundquist2329]

Congratulations Katriel

[@bjenkins803]

Great deal on that tiller attachment.

[@davidnance7761]

That hole looks great from the sky. i sure hope it holds water for you!!!

[@gdotone1]

it's looking good.

[@kevingebert4316]

Looks like you need to try out some of those Outback wraps for your hyd hoses. They have many sizes and I have them on all my JD's to keep them protected and tidy. I even use some of the smaller ones on my pressure washer hose to prevent burning on muffler or wear from the wheels if drooped down when moving.

[@keiths4874]

Best of luck, I know I had a tough time getting one of our ponds to hold, Like yourself I trucked in tons of bentonite, I did have a luxury that is different from your build and that is my pond walls were a lot more of a gentle slope, the good news, I disked my bentonite in and the pond eventually sealed and makes a beautiful addition, hoping you have the same outcome👍

[@daveharper5655]

I sure like your videos, I always look forward to the next one. I have had a tractor for three decades but I find I have learned a few things from you and I appreciate all the effort that goes into making these videos. You are a vessel of wisdom and I will continue watching. Have a blessed day.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Very kind! Thanks!

[@ginajacquesfitness3723]

Congratulations Katriel!

[@hypercube33]

Congrats!

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

Looking good. Big pond. 👍🏻

[@petenolte4192]

Do a livestream. Then you 2 can tell us what your plans are for the pond and what's in store for next year as in project that you are going to tackle. Great video!!! God Bless 😊

[@bradleymcclintock7771]

Looking a lot better now. The first time I saw the pond I said o my big job. 😮

[@ranger6x660]

Tim, first I was glad to see that you started wearing a mask. Second, boy you had my pucker mode going into overdrive when the excavator tipped! 😳😆 I’m really glad the arm wasn’t any higher. That’s a lot of money you guy’s investing in your pond. Prayers it works out and by next Summer you guys are enjoying it. To everyone that enjoys this content and watching this video/channel please hit the “like”button! You won’t find a better channel with more honest information that is beneficial to anyone and everyone that owns tractors and other equipment. You won’t find a better family on You Tube. Last, congratulations to both families on the upcoming wedding. 🎉

[@macdawg6403]

Nice Vid!

[@chrisrexroat3240]

Curious as to how much price difference would there have been if you were to have used a pond liner instead of the bentonite? Or if that was a feasible option in this case? Great video series!

[@davidknisely6351]

. I dug ponds for 20+years. You had a interesting approach to repairing your leak. I have used many tons of bentonite. It works fantastic. I wish I could have talked to you before you started your project. Given that. If it is still seeping in, mark those spots with a cement block, rope, and a float( i.e. gallon jug) . After you get the water level higher than the incoming water pressure, use Benseal 3/8" drop from the water surface down to the block. It has worked every time for me. Good luck.. Let me know if you want to talk.

[@drewmcvicker1445]

Boy that was a lot of work, I hope it works out well for you!!!

[@kyootfox]

With a fine Powder like this, you can do forced air & large diameter hose to 'Pump-it' to the area needed, but it needs something like a mulch blower and PPE for you.

[@jeeper360]

22:37 it's the millennium falcon.

[@shawndickmann8215]

I'd love to see perch fishing in there.

[@jdhogg18]

I hope you're planning on a water feature for this, i.e., fountain(s)? That would be neat.

[@billybobs841]

Bud i always hit the like and ive been subscribed for a while and tell them congratulations and goid luck with the marriage

[@GrampysTractor]

Congratulations on Katriel's coming wedding. Tim when my daughter got married, I was not allowed to be involved in any of the planning. Just like Cristy said it, "We don't want you there". Even though there is no water the pond looks great.

[@BillyP55]

Comments really help also and I'm not good at posting much. Congrats on the upcoming nuptials!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks! It is making a difference in this video already!

[@Dan-nj8du]

Centuries from now geologists will be wondering how they missed that meteor crater.😄 Looking forward to seeing your ultimate plans.

[@Not_So_Weird_in_Austin]

I have started using a paint booth respirator mask with circular replaceable filters as a dust mask. I would like a next steps pond video

[@SudheendraKaranam]

It’s getting there… pond is looking better than ever….

[@SudheendraKaranam]

Congratulations to both families on future wedding

[@harleythrelkeld7587]

for spreading the bentonite is there a spreader made for ventracs where you could have driven side hill and spread the clay?

[@dave.lawrence.3894]

Well time to wait to see if there will be water in the spring!!!!!!! 🙏🙏✌️👍🍔🍔🌭🌭

[@jamesawtrey2644]

As for the NRCS website, my high school senior English teacher, way back in ‘79, said “it’s not about whether you know something, it’s about whether you can find the information.”

[@rcguy18]

Man that looks like a muddy mess. Also, More info on that transfer pump, please.

[@l0jack]

I wish this channel was around when i dug my pond 15 years ago! Wondering of you could have used a either a 3point mounted or walk behind rotary broadcast spreader to distribute the bentonite?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thought about that, but I think the powder would have bridged over the holes foe the spreader intake

[@jamieebersole6755]

I would weld a 1/2" rod on the end of those quick coupler pins. The little thing they put on from factory is junk. Curl the bucket or attachment towards the machine as far as possible when you put the pin in and out and that will make it slide way easier

[@hogman2524]

neat video Tim, I am curious how you will fill it and keep it full, ? will you stock fish ? If so you will need a run off I think and fresh water coming in? too bad there is not a spring close by, We have two ponds on our property here in Georgia, Spring fed,

[@derrickcook8593]

The only thing I would is borrow dirt perfects roller packer to pack everything really good.

[@CapeAnnImages]

Nice video again! That's a steep & deep pond that will need good circulation if you don't want stagnant water. Fish need oxygen to survive. What is the water source and what is the plan for overflow? Best Regards, Jay

[@wadeprunty]

Not gonna lie, I got the tee tee chills when that Kubota tipped.

[@rogerr1296]

As far as the tiller, could you have hooked it up backwards...i.e., could the quick connect be turned 180 degrees so that it was kicking the dirt up the slope instead of pulling it down as you incorporated the bentonite from the bottom of the pond? 🤷‍♂

[@rodbagley1686]

Your pond is starting to look like one of the deep gold mines I have seen out west. You just need one of those big Gigantic dump trucks to haul all of your dirt out of the bottom.

[@donCesc19]

There is a solution to that problem where you said it pulls dirt down when you're in the pond. A longer boom :D hahhah

[@samengler539]

Nice job Tim it’s coming along nice.. take a minute now ant change your pants after tipping over your mini ex. Cheers.

[@myk55501]

Hey, Here's a thought a suggestion or an idea do you think you could take the Bentonite in liquify it and spray it on like gunite on the bottom just a question

[@georgecostanza9387]

I know you’re done spreading already but do you think that bentonite would flow well through a fertilizer or lime spreader to just back up to the edge and turn it on or do you think it’s too dusty and would blow away

[@napooda846]

Should dump it in the mulch trailer you used and drive around use it to to spread or can use it to load the bucket up.

[@billybobs841]

I learend about bentonite a few years ago .. i was helping pump concrete and about 1/2 5gallon bucket of bentonite and rest water mixx it up and pour it in concrete pump soon as the truck got thar and it would be like slicking up the hose so the concrete didnt stop up the hose.. then i seen pepole seal ponds with it

[@angryoverlanding5955]

I wonder if you can spread the bentonite with a spreader? Looks like it might be to powdery.

[@lloydcrowder1283]

Would a stone slinger have worked to place the bentonite?

[@sail72]

Tim works so I don't have to LOL

[@RandThompson-dd3sk]

Heeze Louise, is the Panama Canal that deep? Or is it for testing submarines??

[@rlwdaman1]

Can't wait for the Google Earth view of the pond. Gonna look like Han Solo parked the Millennium Falcon in your yard!!!

[@DunbarLandFarms]

What brand and model is your drone?

[@karaayers2867]

You should just use a 3 point broadcast spreader. Back up to the pond edge and turn on the pto

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thought about it…but I don’t think this stuff woulda fed through the spreader. Notice that it bridged over the unloader tool, and that was a larger hole than our spreader.

[@richc9890]

You can get a paddle boat to ride around in once it's full..😸 Looks deep enough now it's almost finished for fish 🐟, if that 's the plan. Is it holding the rain water?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Maybe Christy will paddle me around!?

[@michaelpreston2392]

You should have put powdered lime in the bottom of the pond and worked it in. This would have dried out the mush and also helped to seal the pond.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

We put bentonite in the bottom and worked it in….in a prior episode.

[@turdferguson5300]

You'll have to forgive Izzy, you can understand his excitement with all that bentonite around. It's like the world's longest, deepest pooper. Throw in a few birds and this guy has it made.

[@user-jo2dt1lf5x]

What is the pond bank ratio? 3:1 or steeper?

[@billybobs841]

Back about 14 year ago I was working for a guy logging I was felling trees and I was up on a littel hill about 1000ft from about a half acear pond and the owner of the land was cleaning out the pond with a old cat excavator and I thought he digging 2 deep.. I went om felling and limbing and I stop to rest and he took another pull at the mud and he dumped the mud and I noticed a drastic color change and I said that's odd 1 more bucket and the pond was like a big toilet flushing in seconds all water was gone... dangest thing I've seen

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Wow!

[@markloomis1415]

So this is what insanity looks like!

[@michaelwillcutt2619]

Swivel the tiller connections so you can rotate tiller and work from bottom up so dirt is push upwards

[@indymark4064]

It looks like after the fact, but I wonder how a broadcast spreader (cone) would work. It would have to be adjusted for side throw or backup to the edge to spread. ??? Just a thought. Might not have the volume needed for this application.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

thought seriously about that. I think the powdery material would have 'bridged' over the small openings on the spreader. notice that it did indeed bridge over the fancy unloader thingy on the bottom of the big bag.

[@jimmcknight3021]

So will the pond be done before the Wedding? 😆 LOL

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Probably not. We have LOTS to do!

[@larrygwinn6649]

Hi, you can reach out to Aqua scape. They ponds all over the US.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Tried. They were not interested. Anyway, Natural Waterscapes is incredible! Knowledgeable, helpful, a true PARTNER in the process. We didn’t get that experience with the other guys.