making a nice ditch

bgarrett · Jul 2, 2013

What kind i
of tool or implement do I need to make a nice ditch along my driveway? Its rocky soil and I have a Ford 545 backhoe, a Ford 9N and a Farmall model H
Thanks!

Mike (WA) · Jul 2, 2013

Well, you have a backhoe but apparently don't want to use it (since you are asking the question), so I'd have to say a #2 shovel.

bgarrett · Jul 2, 2013

??? are you just being a jerk?

Cliff Nelson · Jul 2, 2013

Of the machines you listed the backhoe would be the best. A 6 way blade on the 9n would work but slower in rocky going. We use a 6 way blade with good results but on a bigger/heavier tractor to control the blade better. Whatever you use will take some practice to get a nice looking job. Good luck.

nickg · Jul 2, 2013

Having rocky soil kinda makes it tuff to make a good smooth dith but I have a smooth 5' ditch bucket on my excavator for digging ditches. You can get a similar result by welding a piece of flat steel across the teeth of your backhoe bucket. It really kinda depends on how deep and what kinda ditch your wanting too. If your wanting just a shallow v ditch a tractor and blade is as good as anything. If your wanting a rounded or flat bottom ditch I would use your backhoe. Its time consuming using a regular backoe to dig a good ditch with good fall because you spend alot of time moving and situating and raising and lowering your outriggers and you either have to sit and dig sideways or you have to spend even more time moving around. but Im spoiled with having an excavator.

Mike (WA) · Jul 2, 2013

Well, "jerk" may be a little strong, but maybe just a tad "snarky". If you have a backhoe, why would you ask what to dig a ditch with? You didn't list any digging equipment you might have for the two tractors, so I couldn't imagine how you might use them for that job.

mj · Jul 2, 2013

(quoted from post at 12:26:34 07/02/13) Well, "jerk" may be a little strong, but maybe just a tad "snarky". If you have a backhoe, why would you ask what to dig a ditch with? You didn't list any digging equipment you might have for the two tractors, so I couldn't imagine how you might use them for that job.

Maybe he doesn't want it 18" (or whatever) wide - a v-ditcher would be my choice but unless he's in furrow-irrigation country he probably doesn't have one so borrowing or buying one of those 3-pt. 'middle-busters' would be plan B, they make a narrow furrow compared to a b'hoe and should handle the rocky ground pretty well :wink:

gene bender · Jul 2, 2013

I thought the same why not use the back hoe

T in NE · Jul 2, 2013

I can make any width ditch you want with a backhoe, as long as you're not being a smart-arse about it.

mj · Jul 3, 2013

(quoted from post at 17:43:56 07/02/13) I can make any width ditch you want with a backhoe, as long as you're not being a smart-arse about it.

You talkin' to me? 8)

John_PA · Jul 3, 2013

I would attack it the same way you would do a bench cut with a bulldozer. Cut into the ground at the angle you want, perpendicular to the driveway with a front end loader, the length of your backhoe wheelbase. Then, put the backhoe on the angle and the bucket will continue to follow the angle. That keeps you from having a steep drop off, on the edge.

Right now, our ground is so soft, I can just put a 20.8-42 rear tire down in the shallow ditch, and ride the tractor down the ditch and it will make it deeper by displacing the mud.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 3, 2013

Get a small dozer with a 6way blade on it if you can, if ya cant, use the backhoe that has a good operator in the seat.

making a nice ditch

bgarrett

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Mike (WA)

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bgarrett

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Cliff Nelson

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nickg

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Mike (WA)

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mj

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gene bender

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T in NE

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mj

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John_PA

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Anonymous-0

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