Digging In Garden With BXpanded Trenching Bucket?

[Soopitup]

I need to move some large bushes and small trees next to my foundation. I was thinking of using the BXpanded 4 in trenching bucket to dig in between, to minimize root disturbance.
I thought I would see if anyone had a better suggestion before I pulled the trigger?

Is there a better trenching bucket than the BXpanded one?

I've seen a lot of complaints about the bucket clogging. I've got clay underneath, so I'm sure I'm going to run into that, just can't think of a better solution.
They're kind of crammed up against each other, so my 12 inch bucket will rip too much away. And their ripper tooth may not get deep enough to really separate the root balls.

The bushes are nice enough/large enough to aid in a privacy screen elsewhere, plus the bucket is cheaper than buying new bushes even a quarter their size, so I don't want to just rip them out.

Moving these is one of the reasons I've been trying to max my loader lift capacity. But I still may end up having to dig a ramp and drag them on a tarp.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I'd use the 12" bucket, 'claw away ' at the soil and remove 1 bush, then another(it falls into 1st hole..) then repeat until the 'forest near the foundation' is cleared out.
You'll have to 'fluff up the roots' of the bushes when you transplant into a hole x2 the root ball anyway.
Trying to 'surgically ' remove is a waste of time(actually takes longer ).

 

[fried1765]

I need to move some large bushes and small trees next to my foundation. I was thinking of using the BXpanded 4 in trenching bucket to dig in between, to minimize root disturbance.
I thought I would see if anyone had a better suggestion before I pulled the trigger?

Is there a better trenching bucket than the BXpanded one?

I've seen a lot of complaints about the bucket clogging. I've got clay underneath, so I'm sure I'm going to run into that, just can't think of a better solution.
They're kind of crammed up against each other, so my 12 inch bucket will rip too much away. And their ripper tooth may not get deep enough to really separate the root balls.

The bushes are nice enough/large enough to aid in a privacy screen elsewhere, plus the bucket is cheaper than buying new bushes even a quarter their size, so I don't want to just rip them out.

Moving these is one of the reasons I've been trying to max my loader lift capacity. But I still may end up having to dig a ramp and drag them on a tarp.

Maybe rent a machine with better capability for a day?
B26 TLB????

 

[jyoutz]

Just rent a mini-x for one day.

 

[DustyRusty]

Dig across the front of the bushes first and get down to the bottom of the root ball. Then use your 12" bucket to pull them out. Most likely the roots will be intertwined so you will need to cut them apart. I have some bushes that the wife wanted removed and didn't care where they went so long as they went away. Took them to another part of the property and just stuck them into some holes. They survived and continued growing. Gave them to a friend just to get rid of them. Healthy bushes are extremely hardy, and sickly ones will not tolerate a move no matter how careful you are.

 

[jaxs]

The bushes are nice enough/large enough to aid in a privacy screen elsewhere, plus the bucket is cheaper than buying new bushes even a quarter their size, so I don't want to just rip them out.

A larger concern imo is whether this winds up causing home's foundation to shift.
Best you talk to a local foundation expert or home builder about the advisability of digging that close to footers. If foundation expert advises against what you propose you might save bushes by pulling them out which will surely leave 75% of roots but you can still transplant then remove 75% of top growth IF WORK IS DONE AT RIGHT TIME OF YEAR.

 

[DustyRusty]

If his foundation is going to shift if he digs next to it, then it wasn't installed properly. I doubt that his tractor has enough power to even push on the foundation enough to move it 1/16". Foundation walls are keyed to the foundation footing. It would take an earthquake to move my foundation walls on the footings, and even that is questionable.

 

[jaxs]

If his foundation is going to shift if he digs next to it, then it wasn't installed properly. I doubt that his tractor has enough power to even push on the foundation enough to move it 1/16". Foundation walls are keyed to the foundation footing. It would take an earthquake to move my foundation walls on the footings, and even that is questionable.

I didn't say he might move the foundation with his bucket. There are several soil types that must be treated in various ways before constructing on them. If his happens to be one of them, digging close to it can in many cases negate treatment and cause a problem. Bottom line. While nothing short of an earthquake can move your foundation ,everyone doesn't life next door to you.

 

[fried1765]

A larger concern imo is whether this winds up causing home's foundation to shift.
Best you talk to a local foundation expert or home builder about the advisability of digging that close to footers. If foundation expert advises against what you propose you might save bushes by pulling them out which will surely leave 75% of roots but you can still transplant then remove 75% of top growth IF WORK IS DONE AT RIGHT TIME OF YEAR.

The real question here is how deep the digging might need to be, with respect to the footing depth (there is no architectural/construction proper term ..... "footer").

 

[DustyRusty]

I just had the septic line replaced at my home, and they had to dig down to the bottom of the footing since the septic line went through the footing and under the cellar floor. The 40+ year old cast iron pipe had rusted out along the bottom of the pipe. Because of the depth of the line, they had to expose the wall about 14-15 feet wide so they could safely work in the trench. There was no concern that the wall was going to move or the foundation was ever in danger. When I built the home, I spec'd 10' high foundation walls sitting on 30" wide 12" deep footings, with a 2"x4" keyway in the footing. The footings sit on a hardpan that is so hard that the D8 bulldozer that they used to dig the hole couldn't scrape an inch off the top of the hardpan. I don't remember the term that the geologist used to describe this densely packed material but said it was a result of the glaciers moving through this area of New England.

 

[Soopitup]

everyone doesn't life next door to you.

Funny thing is, he lives 2-3 hours from me I think.
We probably have very similar soils. And foundations.
You obviously didn't know.

My foundation isn't a concern; I rented a BX several years ago and ripped out a bunch of stuff right next to the area I'm going to be working on. And my basement is 8 feet deep.

I'd rather not dig between the bushes and between the bushes and foundation with the 12 in bucket. Not a lot of space. The previous owner planted with no thought to the fact he was planting trees next to his house.

Space constraints (especially in this particular area) as well as limiting the impact on my lawn are the reasons I bought a BX in the first place. Renting a larger machine (even a B) will negate these. Not to mention my power lines are directly above this area.

I was trying to find out if there was a better option for a thin bucket than the BXpanded one. Looks like I'm going to find out how well it works.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

a quik chek
narrow bucket is $350 2-3 weeks out...
3.5t miniex for day $400 ..NOW

Best option is to rent a miniex for the day. It'll do the job FASTER, easier, safer than a narrow bucket

 

[jaxs]

The real question here is how deep the digging might need to be, with respect to the footing depth (there is no architectural/construction proper term ..... "footer").

I wasn't aware you were watching.

 

[fried1765]

I wasn't aware you were watching.

ALWAYS !!!

 

[Soopitup]

a quik chek
narrow bucket is $350 2-3 weeks out...
3.5t miniex for day $400 ..NOW

Best option is to rent a miniex for the day. It'll do the job FASTER, easier, safer than a narrow bucket

Aside from the fact the tracks will destroy my lawn in short order,

-A 3.5 ton excavator isn't offered at all places.
-Even if it's offered it's not always available. Small equipment is in very high demand. And it's first come first serve, no reservations. You have to show up early, and hope no one has it on a multiple day or long term rental. So no guarantee I'd be able to get one on any given day. When I rented a BX a few years ago it took multiple tries (days) to get one.
-Before you can rent you have to have a hoisting permit. Which is $60?, an hour class, only good for 14 days, and you can only get one every 45 days.
-Even with an excavator no guarantee I'd be done in one day. Or have multiple days in a row to devote to this. I have multiple commitments, including children.
-I'm not ready to do the job quite yet, just getting my ducks in a row.

Not to mention my bucket is already on the road via FedEx according to their tracking.

I know you're trying to help, and I appreciate it.
I got a BX for a reason.

 

[fried1765]

Aside from the fact the tracks will destroy my lawn in short order,

-A 3.5 ton excavator isn't offered at all places.
-Even if it's offered it's not always available. Small equipment is in very high demand. And it's first come first serve, no reservations. You have to show up early, and hope no one has it on a multiple day or long term rental. So no guarantee I'd be able to get one on any given day. When I rented a BX a few years ago it took multiple tries (days) to get one.
-Before you can rent you have to have a hoisting permit. Which is $60?, an hour class, only good for 14 days, and you can only get one every 45 days.
-Even with an excavator no guarantee I'd be done in one day. Or have multiple days in a row to devote to this. I have multiple commitments, including children.
-I'm not ready to do the job quite yet, just getting my ducks in a row.

Not to mention my bucket is already on the road via FedEx according to their tracking.

I know you're trying to help, and I appreciate it.
I got a BX for a reason.

Mini-Ex.....Rent,....Rent.,....Rent,...I read it so often!
"Rent",...... sounds so simple...
As you very clearly point out, renting is just not a practical solution for many of us.

 

[DustyRusty]

I am not familiar with the BXpanded bucket, even though I have the BXpanded quick hitch on my backhoe arm. I have both the 12" and the 8" trenching bucket that I picked up off of Marketplace. It was priced at $100 and never used. I have had it 2 years now and it is still unused. I didn't need it, but it was so inexpensive that it is worth having for that one time that I might have a use for it. I think that I would rather have a 16" bucket more than the 12" since that extra 4" might make digging somewhat easier. Luckily we don't have much clay in our soil, but we do have more large rocks to contend with.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

wow, a 'hoisting permit' ,that's new to me. Here in Ontario, you can call Sunbelt Rentals and get anything, including full size Kubota excavators with only a good credit card. They drop the machine off,say 'have a nice day', come get it when you say.
The 'trick' to not destroy the lawn is a few sheets of plywood. Lay them out like a 'red carpet',drive the machine on them,minimal if any damage. Guys behind used steel plates at ends of driveways for their skidsteer to do 180s , again no damage to driveway.
it sounds like you only want a few , certain bushes to be gone ? If so ,hopefully the 'skinny' bucket works well for you ! be nice to hear/see how well it performs, Spring is 8 days away !

 

[fried1765]

I am not familiar with the BXpanded bucket, even though I have the BXpanded quick hitch on my backhoe arm. I have both the 12" and the 8" trenching bucket that I picked up off of Marketplace. It was priced at $100 and never used. I have had it 2 years now and it is still unused. I didn't need it, but it was so inexpensive that it is worth having for that one time that I might have a use for it. I think that I would rather have a 16" bucket more than the 12" since that extra 4" might make digging somewhat easier. Luckily we don't have much clay in our soil, but we do have more large rocks to contend with.

IMHO the 16" bucket is the perfect trenching size.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

The size really depends on soil and what's going into the trench.
16 is 4x bigger than normal 4" weeping tile,guys use them here as they lay down tons of stone for the beds with lots of 'wiggle' room. You an also get a rookie to dig the trenches.
If you have the HP, bigger can be better. On my BX23S, the 12" seems to be a good compromise.