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Digging out Creek bed for swim hole – your advise for best method with river rock?

Ozboc ยท 2012-02-08 04:26

Greetings everyone , I am a weekend dirt scratcher and have a little Pc45 ( komatsu ) 4.5 tonne excavator - i dont have all the optional extras like a hammer just the basic bucket and my patients - now digging out my creek that is a permanent creek with sandy bottom , after about 2 feet of sand i hit a lot of river rock including some rocks about 4 foot diameter - deeper i get the harder it gets and i have to work each rock loose individually with my digging bucket( and wait for water to clear so i can see) - is there any easier method ? maybe use a ripper to help move the rocks ? anyone know of any guides perhaps on youtube or is a hammer my only other option ?>

Replies7
  1. #1stumpjumper832012-02-08 06:13

    bigger excavator, like 40,000 pounds bigger, run thru that like knife thru wood, cause 4' rock in a 4' bucket will still require patience and skill.

  2. #2pp13bnos2012-02-08 13:44

    Any gold in the creek? Under boulders that size you might find something. Part time prospector, CJ

  3. #3Ozboc2012-02-08 15:07

    Ive looked for gold , but no luck yet ! only fools gold

  4. #4ddigger2012-02-08 16:34

    Well when you get to bed rock look again! Can you place some of the bigger rocks at the lower end to help raise the level? And once done place some at the top for the water to cascade over to help keep the hole scoured out.

  5. #5Drc2012-02-08 22:00

    Try to find a ripper or frost point, a single shank ripper will pry them out easier?

  6. #6Ozboc2012-02-09 01:18

    Thats the way i was thinking too DRC - just looking for others that may use this method

  7. #7robin yates uk2012-02-09 07:51

    never use a standard hydraulic breaker under water, bad idea!