Sump Drain Surgery: Compact Tractor & Backhoe Dig Sump Drain Looking for Roots or Fiber Optic Cable

Tractor Time with Tim uses the backhoe on our 1025R to dig up a sump pump drain that was not draining properly. The homeowner thought it was either roots or a fiber optic cable that had been installed under the sidewalk a few months before. Homeowner had used several tools to locate the drain pipe.
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[@Wolfhound.]

can we get a update video on this like a follow up on what happened after Tim

[@TractorTimewithTim]

The fiber provider denied any responsibility. ...and with what I've heard from others here (Ken Deckelman ..an expert in the field), they were likely right. Sounds like this was a case of roots in the pipeline...nothing more.

[@Wolfhound.]

ok thx for the update

[@okjd159]

Did they come out to look? If not then you have no responsibility if you break the fiber cable, as you would give them a chance to check it out before the home owner tried to fix it.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

They denied responsibility. Not sure who fixed.

[@Wolfhound.]

if it was me i would have said welp if its not your fault you don't mind me running a drain auger with a spade bit down that pipe of mine then do ya :D

[@kdeckster]

Another great job guys and gals! FYI the “tubes” or “straws” as Patrick called them that the fiber cable is placed inside of is called “innerduct” by most companies. They are usually installed in situations like these via directional boring, and since drains like this are not marked or recorded by utility companies they often get compromised.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

How large (diameter) are those ‘innerducts’?

[@kdeckster]

Tractor Time with Tim: They are usually 1”, 1-1/4” (most common) or 1-1/2” inside diameter.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Ok, so we would never see a thinly wrapped fiber by itself? If that is the case, I must have been seeing a root in there rather than the fiber.

[@kdeckster]

I certainly can't say for sure, but generally fiber cables are not direct buried the way copper cables were years ago. I am also speaking of mainline "feeder" cables, not sure if these houses have fiber to them like the "FIOS" network we have here-those are direct buried but I doubt they would be parallel to the sidewalk as shown by the white marks in your video, they would be coming from a distribution box (handhole or pedestal) that's fed from the feeder cable. Of course local practices there could be different from the ones here that I am familiar with. The real key here is to stay away from them anyway...You do not want to cut or disturb any underground utilities. Remember the marks are not always 100% accurate anyway and to should always be hand digging near them. I remember one trouble/cut we had many many years ago...They where the "least cost bidder" for the job LOL...Well they thought they were supposed to dig INSIDE the marks...Oh man did they pay for that mistake!

[@billnj4923]

Good video Tim & Kristi, more quality time. Hope you have more videos of your dads farm coming.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yep. Should be some more this spring. Had a visit there last weekend...and video...but this video is all Casey, as he visited too.

[@houndsmanone4563]

Good work Tim & Christy. You had a delicate touch with the BH bucket. Have a fine week.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks Hound!

[@rexbarrett1643]

Tim, just watched your video of the sump drain with the fiber optics run through it. Wanted to let you know about a camera that uses WiFi to send pics or videos to your phone or tablet. It’s called DEPSTECH and is 3/8” diameter with 16’ long semirigid line. It has dimable led lights and only costs $40. Would have been perfect for this job. The property owner could of had a video to show the city folks. I’ve used it to look inside walls and pipes. Great tool to have. Has a hook you can add to the end and a magnet for retrieving items. Enjoy your videos.

[@martinchampagne9245]

That was a fun little project. Wish it was 70 degrees here in Connecticut right now. Thanks TTWT for the video.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

This was from September or so. We're almost out of projects from last season. Can't wait to get started this year!

[@shawnboss5542]

Nice work Tim , I know this is off the subject but I love that hat and safety yellow shirt !! Looks great as well as your own gear too !

[@estephonhmm169]

Hi Tim, some advice for you while digging for pipes. Never dig across a pipe when your pot hole You will hook a pipe every time with the teeth on the bucket. When digging deeper then your waste you should step out the trench. So if your digging a six foot deep hole step out the trench three feet on both sides. So you don’t get trench wall collapse.

[@justinvannatta5359]

Great vid Tim see you are using the wider bucket on the backhoe that made it really fast to dig

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Major difference. The wider bucket is MUCH faster. I would say 3 times as fast as the 8 inch.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Nice work

[@MFKR696]

It makes sense for the root system of that tree to extend as far as they did here. A good rule of thumb I was taught is that for a tree that's left to grow to its full potential (ie, not pruned), the root system of said tree will be roughly twice the size of the canopy. If the tree is pruned regularily, that figure would be even larger.

[@saratogawoodworkingco5048]

Great Video Tim and Christy

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks Mark.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Wow! I live in NYC and here we have minimum Six to Eight inch Cast Iron black pipe running to our sewers. The problem here is the couplers, the one end of the Pipe is enlarged and the connecting pipe just slips inside. Sometimes roots find their way into the pipe joint and then expands causing all sorts of problems. Even though it is a very common problem the plumbers here pretend that they have never seen it before and only their expertise can fix this catastrophe! =) Great Video as always!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

This was just a sump pump drain. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@petenolte4192]

You could of dug on the other side and cleaned more out but if the fiber optics were in the way I agree the city needs to fix it. Great video on how NOT to hit any buried cables

[@mi2tn]

Good job there Tim and Christy.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks Levi. Hope things going well for you!

[@kenscharfe7414]

Initially wondered why Casey wasn't called out for this job, but realized Johnny was more "forgiving" to the grass and better suited for backfilling, I'm supposing. Good job Tim and Christy. Good to see Christy is back on the job after her foot surgery.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

You are right about the choice to use Johnny. This was last fall...before Christy’s surgery.

[@rayeddy528]

Howdy Tim and Christy! This is my kind of stuff! You all did goooooood!! Thank you!! I have a mobile home park on our place and I am doing sewer and water all the time. Here in my Dad's yard he had a large poplar tree about 75 feet from one of my main manholes. Sewer started getting slow. We checked the manholes and this one was full of feeder roots . It was scary looking! The roots are always looking for moisture. You all please be safe and God bless you all !!!!! Eddy

[@TractorTimewithTim]

We could use your help. Not many folks are "sewer lovers" :-)

[@rayeddy528]

I guess " love " is not the word I would use , but I want ask someone else to do a job that I want do myself. Tolerate might work as more of the way I feel about sewer work. God bless you all !!!! Eddy

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I understand. Some 'dirty jobs' can have a degree of enjoyment or at least satisfaction to them.

[@PhatboyHD88]

Awesome video Tim as always thanks to you and your wife for providing us with some super time entertainment,,,cant wait to see the resolution of this problem ,, see what the city and fiber optic company’s do,,, im fearful that they are gonna use the old chicken or the egg excuse , saying the roots were the actual blockage and the cable was just incidental... and the drama continues lol...

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes. They denied responsibility. Customer had to pay.

[@johnmurphy8259]

Great video Tim. THat is one thing you didn't want to go any further with this or he might not get it fix good thinking on your part.

[@sandmansandman6819]

Nice work Tim and Christy. Tim even got dirty.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yea, I DID get dirty. How did I let THAT happen???

[@billjanetsky3792]

I hope you were rewarded with a cheeseburger on the way home.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

You are making me hungry!

[@billjanetsky3792]

I'm a pastry chef. ill make ya something good

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Oh my! Where are you located? Christy and Katriel are loving watching ‘The Great British Bake Off’ on Netflix. Katriel wants to learn how to make some good gluten free desserts.

[@mylesr5687]

Great video Tim.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for watching!

[@johanbos160]

Good video tim 👍

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks Johan!

[@michigantler5046]

Thanks Tim

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for watching!

[@mark-ew8hk]

good job Tim!!!!!!!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks Mark.

[@peterkober6758]

Tim Christy we have fiber here but it runs a long the road np fiber to homes yet keep up the good work and God Bless people you all PaK

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for watching!

[@Alanschmalzried]

Interesting project! Metro net was in some hot water with gas leaks...etc.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

yes, they got 'kicked out' of Carmel because of the water and gas main breaks. This is unfortunate, because I was looking forward to the additional competition...to lower the price of internet.

[@Alanschmalzried]

Tractor Time with Tim They were shut down several times here in Fishers, but I think they completed the work. I haven’t inquired about cost since it’s such a hassle to switch providers.

[@jacksonhunterandfarmer2673]

Great vid Tim

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks Jackson!

[@mikefortune4796]

Great video Tim and Kristi and Patrick as well id like to know what the outcome was

[@carrollthim8460]

good videos god bless you

[@jasoncrocker9332]

I’m always amazed at the lack of rocks! I think we have more rock than clay 😀

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Not many (large) rocks here.

[@jasoncrocker9332]

Tractor Time with Tim our province is known as the rock lol

[@gtoboss600]

2 rocks for every dirt is not a good ratio lol!

[@jasoncrocker9332]

gtoboss600 nope 😂

[@KiotiCS]

Great job Tim happy to see you did not find the gas line ! 😉😁 you had flags everywhere ! Have a great week and take care ! Kioti Curt 😁👍🚜

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Lots of flags, that is for sure.

[@ArizVern]

Again, good Video!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks Vern!

[@daveknowshow]

I'm not a fan of that flimsy drain line. it gets damaged to easy. i think i would dig on the other side pull it out and adapt a nice piece of schedule 40 pvc drain pipe under there.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I'm becoming convinced. The black corrugated is so much easier to work with...but we seem to be encountering more and more issues where it has been used.

[@RKHarm24]

I was waiting for Christy to yell SNAKE when you were shoulder deep in that pipe under the sidewalk. Maybe I was wishing she would...

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Don't give her any ideas!!!

[@jamesoldebeken3625]

mwa ha ha

[@bobschmit2382]

You actually got a bigger bucket lol

[@rammiller5114]

I work on a crew that installs the fiber optic cables and with them drains we have no idea that they are there all we know is where the power lines gas line that have been located and it’s put in on city property it would have to be up to the owner and fiber optic company to figure it out

[@mikehornsby599]

Good stuff enjoyed that

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks Mike.

[@lodprice2343]

Very interesting!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks Lod!

[@BrandonBarnhart]

Turn the 1025r to dig in the same direction as the pipe. Use the float control for dowforce, it will follow the pipe without crushing it (if it is sched 40). I have dug many a pipe up without breaking it with this method. Never mind, I watched the rest and saw the cheap crushable pipe was used. People need to stop using the cheap stuff, you pay eventually for it.

[@nashguy207]

Awesome Job Tim. I really can't believe they used the corrugated Black pipe that deep I would feel a lot better having pvc pipe that far down due to the roots growing in and thru the pipe as you found. Its amazing how roots will grow and go right thru that black pipe I have seen it more times than I can count. LOL let us know if the city or the fiber optic company repairs it for the customer. Tim meant to ask you in the last video are you working on software for the allison 1000 that is in the gm trucks with the duramax diesel or what allison transmission is it. Thanks and have a great week and God Bless!!!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I work on software for managing and marketing the transmissions. I do not work on software which directly runs inside the transmissions. There is something ‘different ‘ about the 1000’s in the duramax, but i haven’t been around long enough here to know the nuance.

[@nashguy207]

oh ok i understand thanks for replying.

[@agrimm01]

Tim, I second regarding getting a Borescope you connect to your phone. They are cheap and work great for about $20. Great video and please let us know the outcome with the city.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Turns out it was not a Fiber issue. Must have been just roots penetrating the pipe somehow.

[@ericmick6679]

Is you removed soil on other side of side walk, you could have cut pipe and removed Damaged section and replaced. 😁

[@timkd5vmv583]

Great job finding the blockage. How did they make the final repair? Did the sidewalk have to be dug up?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Not sure. We didn’t do it.

[@bigjim5723]

that's what i wanted to hear about also:-(

[@patdufresne6209]

Good day Tim! I have a quick question. I used to have a 2006 JD 3203 with a backhoe that was mounted direclty on the frame, so I would not reduce my ground clearance. I aam now shopping for another tractor and would like to have such backhoe again, but noticed tht most backhoes are mounted under the frame. Would you know a model (regardless of the brand) that would meet my criteria?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I do not. There may be such an animal, but not with Deere, and as far as I know, not with Kubota.

[@edcrowell9784]

I noticed that you are in a subdivision with underground power. I hope you had it marked.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes, we are diligent about utilities. Welcome to our channel.

[@jmhall19721]

I just got a 260b backhoe for my 1025r but it seems to be extremely weak!!! Any information on why its weak or is there something I could do to turn the hydraulics up on it?!?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

You have to learn to use it. It doesn’t have brute force, but by focusing on the curl functionality...which IS pretty strong, you can accomplish a lot.

[@dylanburgess1157]

me and my cousin were doing landscaping over the summer and i was wondering how the honda was pulling the trailer because my cousin has a f250 not diesel and it had a hard time pulling a dump trailer with a mini bobcat

[@davemachoukas6175]

I'd run root cutter through it. If there's fiber optic in there.. not my proublem. Lol

[@Conng_5]

Hey Tim Ive been doing a lot of research on this tractor and all compact tactors....Im trying to justify the backhoe and if its worth the 5k it cost. Seems like I would use it only a few times a year.....whats your feeling on this?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Easy one for Me. Get the backhoe. It easily doubles the functionality of your tractor. Of course it is a small backhoe, but look at what I’ve been able to do with it. You won’t regret it.

[@gmshep717sdad]

Looks like a river birch tree- very invasive root structure. They can easily invade even the smallest crack to seek out water.

[@frwoody1232]

hey Tim nice job on the dig, did you have to return and replace the dirt back? and how much did you charge that client? Thanks.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

No, did not return. Someone else filled it in after they fixed it. I do not discuss pricing. Sorry.

[@justobey733]

Tim I need you dig me a small pond.. just a 10 x 12..

[@wyett0172]

Tim u should do a video on taking off the front end loader and the backhoe off of Johnny

[@TractorTimewithTim]

try these videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLuUZ6lo0MDxB9YcDwBfP4LxED25MAIWCA

[@GrampysTractor]

Nice work Tim. did I see a ground probe at the end of the video? Someone should be using it during the dig. Another summer video here in the depth of winters grip.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes, it was warm. I think it was in September. We're almost out of projects from last season...the weather had better be warming up soon!

[@davidroberts3223]

Like the new wider bucket

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes, very nice. It helps a lot. We've had it for a year or so now. Totally transforms the speed of digging.

[@undercover9nineteen]

David Roberts uh. Nv

[@codywright5208]

What type of John Deere is your tractor

[@gabesmith654]

If Metro Net got close to the pipe with their bore it would've pushed the dirt through the pipe you see how easy it breaks

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yea, who knows at this point? Customer ended up having to pay. I'll never know for sure if he should have or not.

[@mcinkyt]

You should throw down a tarp to put the dirt on for a cleaner site when you're done

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Maybe so, but I always tear up the tarp when pushing the dirt back. It never works like you think it should. Perhaps a large piece of plywood would work...for small jobs.

[@tomr9509]

Look into a power sweep.It's rubber paddle that cleans the dirt right out of the grass.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Can you include a link to something like you mean? I see some which look small...like they mount on a weed eater, and some much larger like the sweepers you can get to mount on the front of our tractors.

[@rollinlowford]

bet you if you just cut that fiber cable there wouldnt be any wait times lol they'd be out pretty quick to fix it.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I'll admit, it was tempting. However, now with Kenny's and others explanation, I'm not sure I was grabbing the fiber cable. Maybe it was just a root. Not sure.

[@grandpapete417]

OETIOHeavyLifter Excellent idea.

[@scottfoster2487]

Time for a trenching bucket,no teet to punch pipes ore wires.

[@lonniecurtis3540]

hi Tim sorry about the critter reply but im a animal lover and always thinking about the animals in the wild to,but cant not watch your videos they are good,ha later Tim,hi Katriel,hows college goin.see ya.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Welcome back.

[@JAllyFarms]

I hear some squeeking while operating your tractor. I think its time for a grease job. this is about a year ago from viewing so I hope you took care of it

[@Scott-Anderson]

So if the fiber provider installed a wire though the home owners drian tile. how can they say that it was not there fault?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I’m not sure now that this ‘wire ‘ I saw was a wire. Maybe it was a root? Ken is saying that the fiber would be in some sort of tube 1-1.5 inches in diameter.

[@Scott-Anderson]

ahh indeed they proably would have had a piece of interduct that they would have the wire in. Okay now is making little more sence. Great videos as always thanks!

[@corbinmurphy4708]

Why didn’t Casey get to come do this job???

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Not much digging. Wasn’t worth the extra damage to the lawn.

[@therealjoey724]

811 is all ways your best friend aka call before you dig

[@TractorTimewithTim]

So what are you saying?

[@jakeschisler7525]

Tim that wasn't too good of news for him. Then getting the city to fix the issue is another

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yea, and turns out. The fiber provider denied that they were a part of it. So, he had to pay for repair anyway.

[@clheppermann]

i think i would have ran my sump pump somewhere else instead of digging my whole yard up. nice tractor though

[@pearcefarmtiling8354]

Dig on both sides of walk and tunnel under with sharpshooter from both sides.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yep.

[@bluezy261175]

Damn, didn't those fiberoptics people called before they put it all in? Oh well.

[@znovosad555]

I just posted my snow plowing video with our 1025R from December. Would mean a ton if you could check it sometime!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I’ll take a look if I get a chance.

[@znovosad555]

Tractor Time with Tim thanks so much!

[@sandmansandman6819]

nice job

[@stevenloggins1090]

Rootkill

[@KirtH27]

Have you checked these out for Johnny? www.mattracks.co/tracks/3k/#3500 or this one www.mattracks.co/media/videos/watch/40 I have no affiliation with them but many tractors are used for trail grooming with tracks. I put them on my ATV amazing what it goes thru and over

[@mightymoeexcavating754]

I would blame the guy who used the big O pipe! 4 in PVC is alot better flowing and tougher. We never use big O pipe for sump pumps or rain leaders. City should be responsible to property line. Never the less another outstanding performance by Johnny,Ty for the entertainment and slip by my channel and check my crappy videos.

[@BobbyLivingsworth]

the guy says " i didnt think 3' would be a big deal" by the looks of it I bet he never dug a hole in his life

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Probably not. Does that deserve an insult? I think not. I'm sure there are things you and I have never done either.

[@lodprice2343]

Very interesting!