Posted by bc on December 04, 2008 at 22:16:16 from (68.88.175.43):
In Reply to: OTdigging a basement posted by Fudpucker on December 04, 2008 at 16:57:15:
Can't hurt by trying except it may go quicker with a loader. Stake it out and get after it. Strip off the top soil with the loader and save it to put back on top. Then you may as well start by trying to dig your footings about 2' wide and a foot deep and keep them level on the bottom. Will be harder trying to dig them later when you get your hole all dug out if you haven't practiced. Don't park to close to the edge. As you dig from one side practice trying to get a straight up and down bank. Practice getting a level bottom. Dig it down a few feet at a time just to practice making a level bottom. You can't really leave any loose dirt in the hole so if you get too deep in places you may need to bring in some gravel or sand to level it. Put down plastic before pouring the floor.
Dig for a while, then use the loader to move the piles and dig again. If you figure out your hole is going to fit a ball and not a box, then quit before you get too big and hire an experienced operator for your hoe or hire something to finish.
Better yet, do everything except the footings with the loader.
Round here, they just use a loader to dig basements in this hard pack clay gumbo. Start cutting a ramp about 15 to 20' back from one edge around the center of a wall. The trick is not to put your ramp where something will go above it like a patio. They poured half of my patio over the old ramp and the settling has caused it to crack at the edge of the ramp. Once you get the hole cleaned out with the loader, use the hoe to dig out the notchouts where your escape windows will go and then do the footings and plumbing last.
Get it close and the concrete contractor can do the final finishing with a skid loader. He will line you out on the dimensions also.
A basement will be big enough that caveins won't be a problem(not like a trench). If your soil is sandy and soft enough that caving banks could be a problem, then you may have to go out 2 or 3' more in each direction.
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