Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out the
pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?

"jedi" wrote:
Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out the
pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?

Without really answering your question, be sure to call around to local guys who
own their own equipment. Ofttimes it's cheaper to pay an expert (who knows
how to dig the hole *fast*) than to pay rental fees while you learn how (and how
not) to use the equipment.

Andy has a good point. We spend hours and
much dollars on renting a chipper and it gummed
up and what a mess. Called in the experts and
the job went fast and was cheaper.

kathy

"jedi" wrote:

Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out the
pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?


I rented a small backhoe that went through a 4'-4" opening with a tad to
spare. It was a blast to operate too - good testosterone high.

I think if you phone some rental places, they'll tell you what they have.


San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Goldfish, a RES named Colombo and an Oscar.

"Andy Hill" wrote in message
...
"jedi" wrote:
Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out
the
pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?

Without really answering your question, be sure to call around to local
guys who
own their own equipment. Ofttimes it's cheaper to pay an expert (who
knows
how to dig the hole *fast*) than to pay rental fees while you learn how
(and how
not) to use the equipment.

And by all means make sure there is not a petroleum pipeline right where you
want the pond.


--
BV
Webporgmaster of iheartmypond.com
http://www.iheartmypond.com
I'll be leaning on the bus stop post.

"Benign Vanilla" wrote in message
...

"Andy Hill" wrote in message
...
"jedi" wrote:
Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig
out
the
pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back
yard -
maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?

Without really answering your question, be sure to call around to local
guys who
own their own equipment. Ofttimes it's cheaper to pay an expert (who
knows
how to dig the hole *fast*) than to pay rental fees while you learn how
(and how
not) to use the equipment.

And by all means make sure there is not a petroleum pipeline right where
you
want the pond.
==============================
Or a buried phone cable.
--
Carol.... the frugal ponder...
I have a firm grip on reality.
Now I can strangle it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Andy Hill" wrote in message
...
"jedi" wrote:
Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out
the
pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?

Without really answering your question, be sure to call around to local
guys who
own their own equipment. Ofttimes it's cheaper to pay an expert (who
knows
how to dig the hole *fast*) than to pay rental fees while you learn how
(and how
not) to use the equipment.

True, but not half the fun. :-)
It's the old boys and toys thing. YMMV

Jerry

And by all means make sure there is not a petroleum pipeline right where
you want the pond. BV
==============================
Or a buried phone cable. Carol

Timely Pond Digging Advice: CALL BEFORE YOU DIG! ~ jan

~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~

On or about Thu, 24 Feb 2005 12:54:09 -0500, "jedi"
wrote something like:

Does anyone know what the
smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?

Caterpillar D-1
Sorry, old construction joke.
There are several rental small backhoe style units that have a bucket
of a cubic foot or so. They are fun to run. Be sure you call your
local 800 "Call Before You Dig" number. You would be surprised at
how many lines and pipes run through backyard america. You do not want
to have tp pay to replace everyone's cable service.
Any of your local rental stores will have several choices, along with
a trailer that you 'll need for transport to and fro. Wear a helmet
(it looks cool), and hearing and eye protection. These babies make
noise and dust. You should also think about your own water and
electric lines when you do this. The water can be right at the pond,
but the electric must be a certain distance away, like 15 feet or so.
Check your local government to see if you need a permit for the pond
and for the digging.
DIG WE MUST!
--
Crashj

There are mini excavators that have articulated tracks that narrow down to
around 3' for gates. I highly recommend an excavator over a backhoe, much
faster and easier to operate. Plus, it will rotate 360 so if you hold a can
of beer and spin around a lot it scares the hell out of the neighbors.
--
Try to beat the DragonKoi at Poker Champs...
https://secure.pokerchamps.com/poker...code=DRAGONKOI
Remember to enter referer code DRAGONKOI when you join!

"jedi" wrote in message
...
| Ok, I have decided that there is no way I am going to be able to dig out
the
| pond I now have in mind on my own so I'm thinking of renting a digging
| device.... It has to be small enough that I can get it in my back yard -
| maybe I could take out one section of fence. Does anyone know what the
| smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?
|
|

"Dragon Koi" wrote in message I highly recommend an
excavator over a backhoe, much
faster and easier to operate. Plus, it will rotate 360 so if you hold a
can
of beer and spin around a lot it scares the hell out of the neighbors.

ROTFL !

Peter

On Fri, 2005-25-02 at 04:35 +0000, Crashj wrote:
On or about Thu, 24 Feb 2005 12:54:09 -0500, "jedi"
wrote something like:

Does anyone know what the
smallest excavator is that you can rent and how easy they are to use?

Caterpillar D-1
Sorry, old construction joke.
There are several rental small backhoe style units that have a bucket
of a cubic foot or so. They are fun to run. Be sure you call your
local 800 "Call Before You Dig" number. You would be surprised at
how many lines and pipes run through backyard america. You do not want
to have tp pay to replace everyone's cable service.

Well, you know, I'd have to doubt that you could be forced to pay for
replacing everybody else's cable service if they've got lines running
through your land without an express right of way.

Electrical and gas lines are the real problem - if you cut one of those,
how much it's going to cost can be _literally_ the last thing on your
mind.

--
derek

"Dragon Koi" wrote in message
...
There are mini excavators that have articulated tracks that narrow down to
around 3' for gates. I highly recommend an excavator over a backhoe, much
faster and easier to operate. Plus, it will rotate 360 so if you hold a
can
of beer and spin around a lot it scares the hell out of the neighbors.
--
Try to beat the DragonKoi at Poker Champs...
https://secure.pokerchamps.com/poker...code=DRAGONKOI
Remember to enter referer code DRAGONKOI when you join!

LMAO on this one! I think I'll go for the tequila though. You boys and
your beers should try the low carb way...

"Derek Broughon" wrote in message
a...
snip
Well, you know, I'd have to doubt that you could be forced to pay for
replacing everybody else's cable service if they've got lines running
through your land without an express right of way.

Electrical and gas lines are the real problem - if you cut one of those,
how much it's going to cost can be _literally_ the last thing on your
mind.
snip

From the MD, Miss Utility site...

"Penalties for Violating the Miss Utility Laws: Actual repair costs, and
civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation for the first offense, plus up to
10 times the actual cost of repairs, which can equate to millions of
dollars, for each subsequent offense. "

Call before you dig.


--
BV
Webporgmaster of iheartmypond.com
http://www.iheartmypond.com
I'll be leaning on the bus stop post.

On Fri, 2005-25-02 at 13:00 -0500, Benign Vanilla wrote:
"Derek Broughon" wrote in message
a...
snip
Well, you know, I'd have to doubt that you could be forced to pay for
replacing everybody else's cable service if they've got lines running
through your land without an express right of way.

From the MD, Miss Utility site...

"Penalties for Violating the Miss Utility Laws: Actual repair costs, and
civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation for the first offense, plus up to
10 times the actual cost of repairs, which can equate to millions of
dollars, for each subsequent offense. "

Sure, but don't they have to have a right of way? Not for your own
utility supply lines, but I've never seen a case of a legitimate utility
line running straight across a person's property: they either run on the
road allowance, or they get an explicit lien (which goes on your
property deed). You'd be hard-pressed to be in violation otherwise. I
_have_ seen illegally (in the sense of not having permission from the
property owner, not service stolen from the cable co.) and improperly
installed shared cable lines, and whole blocks have lost their service
when someone cut it - but the Cable co is on the hook for repairs.
--
derek