There's nothing quite like the freedom of designing and building a road or driveway from scratch, without any plans or supervision. Just create the optimal drive that will stand the test of time for your customer. The satisfaction of constructing a long-lasting drive across untouched land is unmatched.
Upon reflection, I admit that I could have constructed a more efficient road. It is possible that I misused approximately two $250 loads of rock in that particular location. However, once the exact placement of the house and shop is determined, it will be feasible to utilize the D5 with rippers for a day. By removing the rocky obstruction and filling in the low area, I can significantly improve the road's quality. This project would involve moving around 200 yards of material. I will monitor the road's performance and make further recommendations during our next assessment. Additionally, I regret omitting a proper image of the leaverite boulder.
Tomorrow night, I will be returning to work on a 3-day marathon to make progress on the project. Luckily, the neighbor has a D4 model that we can utilize to expand the well site preparation. Additionally, I have rented a Case 37 mini excavator to complete various tasks such as digging in the power, sonotubes for the pole building, and cleaning out a filled perk hole from winter. The rental cost for the week was $1150, which was the best option available. I will also be exploring the possibility of using the mini excavator for digging at the house's daylight basement without the need for larger equipment. In comparison, a rental outfit offers a 260 excavator for $3000 per week with an additional $3500 for a hammer attachment. To transport the equipment, I have arranged for a local lowboy operator for a total cost of around $750. This setup will be ideal if there is bedrock that needs to be removed for the basement project.
The Caterpillar D4 is a C model, in what I believe to be good condition. It comes equipped with rippers, making it a valuable neighbor to have! Upon inspection, I estimated the undercarriage to be around 60%, which matches up with the 3350 hours on the meter. It also feels just as sturdy as you would expect. The neighbor's only request when borrowing it is to take good care of it and regularly change the oil. I will note down the serial number for future reference. From the vantage point of the neighbor's driveway, you can see the house to the right of the RV, which is a two-story log home with a daylight basement.
The dozer blade appears to be equipped for a pin-on root rake attachment, offering a promising view from a potential future home location.
After conducting a thorough search, we discovered the rake hidden behind the barn. This compact dozer comes equipped with a custom-made adapter for the ripper frame, featuring a ball that allows for easy maneuvering of trailers. The clutches and brakes are in excellent condition, providing a smooth operational experience.
This charming little ranch bulldozer features a convenient chainsaw scabbard crafted from cedar boards. After my departure last year, the truck driver skillfully cleared a few loads from the designated area. However, the spring thaw and frost heave caused significant damage. I cleared the area using a dozer and switched machines before returning last night to finish the job. While he was away getting parts, I installed a pair of posts for the 400 amp meter base and disconnect cabinet. Additionally, I dug a trench next to the RV for the temporary power panel.
I had trouble finding the 400 amp meter base panel in stock, but managed to grab it for $1,432. It was a tight squeeze fitting it into the beetle due to its weight of around a hundred pounds. This experience has prepared me for installing a similar panel at our new property.
We have completed most of the tasks and have the last one planned for the return. Last night, we had to quickly move across the pass to ensure a smooth journey! Our top priority was preparing the power for inspection by L&I, followed by the power company setting up a transformer only 15 feet away from the meter. The convenience of having our own transformer is truly remarkable.
Additionally, there is a 200 amp outdoor panel near the RV, located about 75 feet away from the house site. Another priority was clearing the well site to create a 25x50 work area for the drillers, by cutting parts from the bank and bringing them downhill.
This spot is perfect for parking an RV and may receive an extra power line and water connection from the pressure tank in the house. It also provides easy access to the large upper bench beyond the pine tree.
I also took the opportunity to fill in some test holes for the septic design while in the area. Access to this location is available by driving down the road used by the well drillers.
Number 3 was clearing a filled test hole and digging another as requested by the designer. The septic system will be situated below the shop and house, connected by long gravity runs. Meanwhile, number 4 was removing sod from the 40x60 shop site and leveling it. Unfortunately, I didn't capture a photo as we were busy, but I managed to snap a quick drive-by picture on the way home. The soil was challenging to work with due to saturation from snow melt, but it should recover. If not, we will use geo fabric. The soil above was rich black soil. The plan is to add 6-8 inches of large rocks and then a layer of cap break. Number 5 was busy digging 18 pole holes for the shop. We ran out of time, but it will be manageable with the necessary excavation and filling back. The holes will only be 24 inches deep with box forms on top. After compacting the rocks, we will edge the fill with soil. I kept the mini excavator for an extra week to finish the pole holes and start work on the house basement.
We're loving the story and photos! Please keep us updated on the progress. Can't wait to see more. Thank you.
Yesterday, the pole barn contractor excavated holes at one site and then moved the mini excavator to another 40x60 shop location to dig holes there today. By returning the excavator to the rental place, he will save on additional charges.
The poles have been erected and are awaiting inspection for the concrete foundation. His neighbor's father operates the local truck service and resides just across the valley. They exchanged some property so that the younger man could have access to his land and together they cleared and constructed a new road spanning the 20 acres, providing a better route for the delivery trucks bringing in the log cabin. Additionally, the father brought in his 315 excavator to remove the clay deposits from the building site and replaced it with pit run material. This process will require several truckloads of rock. The newly constructed driveway spans approximately 1300 feet.
The Caterpillar 315DL excavator is a standout in terms of performance and appearance. I'm curious, is the dark soil on the driveway topsoil or subsoil? The rear tires of the rollers seem to be sinking significantly in the last picture. Are you planning to lay rocks on top of it? If so, how durable will the setup be?
The rich, black soil in these pictures appears to be prone to softening during frost seasons. To address this, the area will be covered with 3" minus rock to help stabilize it over time. It is advisable to avoid digging through the soil to prevent encountering the soft tan clay underneath. Excavating through this area would lead to a lengthy basement excavation rather than a road construction project.
Utilizing surge rock can significantly enhance the quality of surfaces, especially on soft soils. This material is essential for creating stable foundations and long-lasting pathways.
During the winter months, the county enforces road restrictions on gravel roads due to frosty conditions. These restrictions are lifted once the roads have thawed and been cleared for use. This information serves as a helpful reference for gauging road conditions and safety.
The individual cleared the construction site using the 315 excavator. Upon returning on Monday afternoon, I used a rental 37 Case to dig footings in the scorching 108-degree heat. We developed a strategic plan and took notes for the excavation process. The temperature soared to 109~110 degrees the following day. I am currently staying in a camper truck inside the workshop with the AC running. Last night, the temperature was still 90 degrees at 9 PM, making the digging process extremely challenging. The house I am working on appears to be a chalet model from the sundown collection, featuring a unique five-sided prow footing with thickened footings for decorative logs and beams. The frost depth in this area is 30", and it is a walkout design. I have already excavated the two angled footings to the required depth, and the only thing left is to backfill and dig a 6x6 hole 4" deeper at a specific point for a 4'x4'x16" footing. For more information on chalet-style homes, you can visit the following link: https://lazarusloghomes.com/log-cabin-kits-floor-plans-models-prices/chalet-style-homes/
One common curiosity in construction is why use forms for footings when using a mini excavator, instead of earth-casting them. In many areas, such as here, trench footings are commonly used, with 99% of footings being earth-cast.
Instances of this are quite rare around here. It's common for the ground to slope down like this. While I was busy digging, they managed to lay down a new wooden structure.
While driving home in a remote area, I came across a stranded car with an elderly man in need of help. The man, wearing disposable sunglasses from a medical procedure, had his gas gauge malfunction on his way to Spokane in his Mustang GT. After getting him fuel in Wilbur, we realized it wasn't enough due to the steep terrain. A Lincoln County sheriff stopped to assist, and together we used a Cat brand ratchet strap to tow his car uphill. The elderly man, a union operator with a background in the Corps of Engineers, shared stories of his career on Banks Lake. Eventually, we successfully got his car running and continued on our way with the sheriff's escort.
Skyking1 noted that the phenomenon of stepped footings is not commonly seen in their area. This type of construction, where the foundation steps down, is a common occurrence. The images attached show progress on setting wood for the footings. The earth cast footings are typically formed using plywood, with the footings sometimes jumping 8-9 feet in elevation from the basement to the main level garage. The vertical footing is formed against the bank, with the concrete wall abutting it. Additionally, small steps measuring 1.5-2 feet are formed, with rebar bent accordingly.
The previous retiree I succeeded had inherited a beach property from his father, filled with cherished memories. However, the lot had been untouched since around 1990 until I offered to clean it up this weekend. Despite originally planning to use a large machine, we ended up using a mini one which worked adequately, although it lacked the power to tackle thick brush effectively. The small dump truck may not be efficient for heavy-duty work, but it was all we had. Taking off the tailgate and creating a makeshift plywood gate helped us transport the load neatly. We managed to fill the truck like a loaf of bread and have several more loads waiting to be hauled. The local deer seemed unfazed by our presence, resembling playful puppies. The old picnic table is slowly returning to nature, nestled next to a majestic fir tree with a nearby water source. The remaining debris on the left is all that's left to be cleared. While I may daydream about a larger trash container with steel edges, I would also require a larger machine like the 120 to handle the task. In reality, I might as well wish for a 200!
I recently removed three loads of brush and delivered them to a pit that also serves as the source of the red clay used for bridging the sand in Ocean Shores. The elderly owner of the pit, who has been in operation for many years, mentioned that he has sold over a million yards of this clay. Luckily, I was able to secure a back haul, which is a rare occurrence in this industry. After delivering two loads, we received a call to move up a dig originally planned for Wednesday to today, causing a disruption to my schedule as I was close to completing the job.
On the right side, there is a clump of brush covering an area I intended to expand using clay. The rusty red posts are actually vintage gate posts from the 1960s that we discovered and restored. The red clay mixture contains small, smooth stones that solidify and create a barrier over the sandy soil. This prevents the rocks from sinking into the sand over time. During my cleanup, I unexpectedly uncovered the water meter hidden in the brush, narrowly avoiding accidentally knocking it over.
Last month, I worked on a project at a fire site where we excavated abandoned services before demolition. The new building we are constructing is the same size as the previous one. During my work, I collaborated with a skilled worker named Johnny, who helped me remove bedding from the truck. The following day, I returned to collect the equipment and place more buckets near the pipes. To save time, I decided to leave the trailer attached to the truck and quickly completed the task.
I returned to eastern Washington yesterday to oversee the unloading of two semi loads of log cabins. To assist with the process, a Skytrak telehandler was rented, equipped with a swing carriage that proved to be very beneficial. The task went smoothly until we encountered a soft spot while attempting to maneuver a stock feeder around the trailers. Thanks to quick thinking and a Kubota tractor, we were able to avoid any major issues.
In addition to the successful unloading of the first truckload, we encountered some challenges with the second truckload due to the soft terrain. Double stacking dunnage became necessary to navigate the difficult conditions and safely remove the loads from the bank. Overall, it was a productive day despite the unexpected obstacles.