Using A Backhoe To Dig A Pond

Having a pond in your back garden or in a residential area can vastly improve the overall look and value. If you’re considering building a pond, you’ll need an efficient backhoe to save time. Whether you’re planning to have fish, greenery, or just to add a sense of calm to your garden - follow these steps to make sure your pond is set up properly.

 

Steps for digging a pond with a backhoe

 

Step 1: Outline the area

Outline the area you are planning to dig the pond with ribbon so it is clearly visible and self-contained. Next, mark the ground with orange spray paint, dividing the sections according to the depth of the pond. Although the area for digging is clearly marked out with ribbon a spotter is still required. This person helps direct the backhoe operator and manages the digging procedure.

 

Step 2: Clear the surrounding area

Remove rocks, debris, fallen tree leaves, plant material and any other objects in the immediate area which may be in the way. Clearing the area is important for the construction space of your pond and ensures the backhoe doesn’t run over any obstacles. Ensure the ground in this area doesn’t contain any hidden underground utilities such as phone lines or water pipes.

 

Step 3: Determine the depth of the pond

Set up the pond so the deepest section will be the centre. Ponds can range in depth, however, a good starting point would be anywhere between 45cm – 1 metre deep. The depth of your pond will depend on how you intend to use it - usually the longer the pond, the deeper it will need to be. Any pond deeper than 30cm will legally require fencing surrounding it in Australia.

 

Step 4: Backhoe positioning

The backhoe will need to be positioned on sturdy ground at all times during the digging process. Position the backhoe so that it begins digging in the centre of the pond. During operation, the backhoe should always be positioned directly in front of the body of the machine on a slight angle.

 

Step 5: Start digging

To start the digging process, the backhoe operator should dig in a straight line all the way across to the other end of the pond. Always dig in an area that’s in line with the wheels. For each pass you make, the boom should be lowered, inserting the bucket attachment into the ground at an angle and curling upward. It's a good idea to dump the dirt into a dump truck or similar storage container for removal as you continue to dig.

 

Step 6: Check the depth

As the backhoe operator continues to dig across the pond area, the spotter needs to check the depth of each section with a depth stick. The depth stick should be marked in 18-centimetre increments to make sure the digging is in line with the plans.

 

Step 7: Checking the bucket

While continuing to dig it's important to check that the bucket isn’t overfilling, so you can move at a fast pace. Spilling the dirt before dumping it successfully is a common mistake that wastes a lot of time.

 

Step 8: Repeat the digging process

After the backhoe has dug across the pond, bring the machine back to the end you started at. Now, the backhoe will dig at a slight angle to its body. This process widens the trench but supports the ground underneath. Repeat this process of digging and moving the machine until it reaches the opposite end of the pond area and the entire pond is dug out.

 

Where can I hire a backhoe?

Looking for a backhoe for sale is expensive and unnecessary so the best way to gain access to a backhoe is through hiring the equipment. With so many competitive rates available, it's definitely tough knowing where to put your money.

Here at iseekplant, we have Australia’s largest selection of construction equipment, including backhoe hire. Whether you are located in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Darwin or Perth, iseekplant will have an affordable backhoe for hire. Be sure to subscribe to iseekplant's Constructionsht Blog to stay up to date with the latest industry news and projects across Australia!