Home and Auto Best way to dig for a paver patio? - Page 2

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-21-2016, 08:13 PM

I'm in the process of digging out a 14x14' pit about six inches deep for a paver patio. While I can get the soil up with a spade, it is a mother****er. I thought about renting a sod cutter, but they only go a few inches deep, and from my understanding, once you've cut below the root level it doesn't come out in removable strips any more.

As I can't get a Bobcat into the back of a fenced yard, what would you do?

**srvy** · 06-21-2016, 10:29 PM

This

With this

**Buehler445** · 06-21-2016, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvy

Mattock to break it up and spade shovel to transfer it maybe even a sharp shooter. Also sharpen your shovels you will be surprised at the difference it makes.

These. It doesn't take long with a file to sharpen a shovel. Bought a spade recently (because my dad stole mine unbeknownst to me) and sharpened before I did anything else.

Mattock will do WORK. Worth the money. Won't be very level. Probably have to get sand to level it out. But the good news is you can use it to cave in skulls when you're through.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-21-2016, 11:08 PM

After loading and unloading 3400 pounds worth of pavers, digging out part of this pit, loading it in five gallon buckets, moving them with a wheelbarrow and dumping them in the back of a truck my ass is ****ing beat.

Fortunately, I have a lantern, so I'm going to do this shit by moonlight tomorrow instead of the 95 ****ing degree heat again.

I've got two tons of paver base and a ton of sand coming tomorrow, and I'm going to have to wheel all of that back to the yard, dump, spread, and level it whenever I get this shallow grave of mine done.

**HemiEd** · 06-22-2016, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlchiefs

Dingo (small, stand-behind bobcat style machine). That's if you don't have the muscle to finish it with a shovel.

I rented one of those for putting the rock in the french drains.

I am not sure it would be very good for digging though, as it doesn't have the mass required in my opinion. They are super for picking up a large bucket of loose gravel though.

I rented a small excavator that would get through the gate and it did a great job of digging. Probably overkill for this project though.

**HemiEd** · 06-22-2016, 07:09 AM

If you have a couple hundred dollars to throw at it Hamas, the Dingo would be great for hauling the sand to the back yard.

Simply Red · 06-22-2016, 07:25 AM

Hamas, Have you tried dropping a chainsaw on it?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-22-2016, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

Hamas, Have you tried dropping a chainsaw on it?

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 06-22-2016, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

If you have a couple hundred dollars to throw at it Hamas, the Dingo would be great for hauling the sand to the back yard.

or better yet a concrete buggy

DJ's left nut · 06-22-2016, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I wish. I have to stand on the spade just to get it to penetrate the clay, and it rained yesterday. Mid-Mo soil is literally brick (which is probably why one of the largest brick foundries in the world was here at one point).

Good idea. Our HD doesn't rent tools, but there are other tool rental places around.

http://www.a1toolrent.com/equipment....key=DINGOG%2D1

Right down the street. I've usually had pretty good luck with A1. $100 ain't free but it beats hand digging.

**alpha_omega** · 06-22-2016, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

Pay someone else to do it.

Best answer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlchiefs

Dingo (small, stand-behind bobcat style machine). That's if you don't have the muscle to finish it with a shovel.

2nd best answer.

Simply Red · 06-22-2016, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-22-2016, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

http://www.a1toolrent.com/equipment....key=DINGOG%2D1

Right down the street. I've usually had pretty good luck with A1. $100 ain't free but it beats hand digging.

I looked up both them and Lindsey. Both have the Dingo for the same price. I'm probably going to do that, but as someone else mentioned, I am a bit concerned about its ability to break into that clay.

DJ's left nut · 06-22-2016, 08:57 AM

A1 also has the small excavators that I would think wouldn't struggle with the clay at all. A little less user friendly but they'd cut right through.

arrwheader · 06-22-2016, 09:04 AM

Yea i did mine in the early spring when it wasn't blazing outside. I Also would recommend once you have it dug to rent a plate compactor, pretty cheap at Home Depo and flatten out your paver sand and sand on top. Made it waaaay more level.

**loochy** · 06-22-2016, 09:04 AM

Yeah, I know it's already been covered, but I'm going to say it again in an attempt to steer you to the right answer.

Get one of those little tiny bobcat things that you can stand on (aka stand-on skid steer).

Places like Sunbelt have them available for rental:

https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/equip...ini-skidsteer/

06-21-2016, 08:13 PM
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Best way to dig for a paver patio? I'm in the process of digging out a 14x14' pit about six inches deep for a paver patio. While I can get the soil up with a spade, it is a mother****er. I thought about renting a sod cutter, but they only go a few inches deep, and from my understanding, once you've cut below the root level it doesn't come out in removable strips any more. As I can't get a Bobcat into the back of a fenced yard, what would you do?
Posts: 74,825

06-21-2016, 10:29 PM	#16
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1711250	This With this
Posts: 24,351

06-21-2016, 11:08 PM	#18
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	After loading and unloading 3400 pounds worth of pavers, digging out part of this pit, loading it in five gallon buckets, moving them with a wheelbarrow and dumping them in the back of a truck my ass is **ing beat. Fortunately, I have a lantern, so I'm going to do this shit by moonlight tomorrow instead of the 95 **ing degree heat again. I've got two tons of paver base and a ton of sand coming tomorrow, and I'm going to have to wheel all of that back to the yard, dump, spread, and level it whenever I get this shallow grave of mine done. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,825

06-22-2016, 07:09 AM	#20
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $3320564	If you have a couple hundred dollars to throw at it Hamas, the Dingo would be great for hauling the sand to the back yard.
Posts: 33,409

06-22-2016, 07:25 AM	#21
Simply Red You Sweetie! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2021206219 VARSITY	Hamas, Have you tried dropping a chainsaw on it?
Posts: 71,691

06-22-2016, 08:57 AM	#28
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $3039099	A1 also has the small excavators that I would think wouldn't struggle with the clay at all. A little less user friendly but they'd cut right through. __________________ "If there's a god, he's laughing at us.....and our football team..." "When you look at something through rose colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."
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06-22-2016, 09:04 AM	#29
arrwheader Veteran Join Date: Dec 2011 Casino cash: $3146613	Yea i did mine in the early spring when it wasn't blazing outside. I Also would recommend once you have it dug to rent a plate compactor, pretty cheap at Home Depo and flatten out your paver sand and sand on top. Made it waaaay more level.
Posts: 3,475

06-22-2016, 09:04 AM	#30
loochy Hey Loochy, I'm hooome! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PooPooKaKaPeePeeShire Casino cash: $2180752	Yeah, I know it's already been covered, but I'm going to say it again in an attempt to steer you to the right answer. Get one of those little tiny bobcat things that you can stand on (aka stand-on skid steer). Places like Sunbelt have them available for rental: https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/equip...ini-skidsteer/ __________________ Hey Loochy, I'm hoooome!
Posts: 40,449