45 years ago I dug ponds &ditches with a Bucyrus Erie 22B dragline. Mats would be 4 logs cabled together and would move them by hooking the cable with a tooth on the bucket and dragging them around. The tracks on the machine were smooth and on the wet slippery mats one always had to pay attention because you could inadvertently pull the machine off the mats real quickly when digging. With a dragline trees and brush were a lot harder to deal with than with a hoe with a thumb. Also, we didn’t have ATV’s back then and when working out in the marsh you had the pleasure of walking to the machine each day. I collect old machines and what was work back then I now consider fun. Keep up the good work.
I have worked with some good operators that could control underground water when coring man holes , there are a lot that can’t . You are certainly the best pond maintenance and builder of ponds that I think there is around here ! Very methodical in the way you work off the Matt’s with those big old Volvo Excavators . Seems to want to rain once or twice a week here lately . The best thing about the pandemic is the traffic ! We are going to hate it when every body goes back to work at work ! Thanks for taking us along with you today !
Great video. Majority of what I have been doing lately. Working for a farmer that bought 1100 acres that was a hunting club. Probably 700 acres cleared so far but have been in nothing but the bottoms and creeks and working w the pond some to get the creeks, water runoff from the fields, along w putting in or getting ready to put in drain tile and pipe. The main messes so far have been where ditches or small ponds have been made for runoff and overflow of ponds they dug out and didn't fan the dirt out up the field where the runoff afterwards will come down into it. Until this week everytime it rained the field runoff in alot of spots would come down 10 to 20 us from ditches and hit the humps of dirt and make a wash and run alongside it so for both sides of the ditch for a ways 20 yds or more in places would hold water and have bad washes. Been fixing those and going into some new places clearing and making them drain off.
You have a great 'systematic approach' to these projects which makes for an efficient use of time! It's also most likely why the previous guy walked away, He was overwhelmed by the scale of the project and jumped from one thing to another, never completing anything.
Love it when you get down and dirty Chris , that’s when I started watching you, when you were clearing out beaver dams and ditches, about 2 1/2 to 3 years ago, working off mats. You’re the man to sort that mess out. Thanks for the fantastic videos 👏👏👏👏👏👍🇬🇧
There is nothing like digging a channel thru mud and making a stream. Reminds me of childhood stream clearing...so satisfying!!!!! Thanks chris that video was cool as hell!!!!
Chris this seems to be a specialty of yours , building ponds and repairing existing ones. I live in a small town next door to the town you live in and was wondering what permits one would need to build a pond on there property if any permits were needed. Due to I would be damming up a good size creek for the time it would take for the pond to fill them of course the creek would turn back to normal.
New area, other peoples mess, unknowns, getting a plan, all adds to the "pucker" factor!! Amazes me how you're able to see what has to be done and then just do it. Nice job and great video! Jim.
Well, the new mud mats were diffidently Baptisted in mud on their first job, inasmuch, as they got mud-coated and soaking wet. It's really good to see you back digging ponds once again, I had missed seeing you guys track-deep in water and mud. I know it's hard on the equipment and gives you extra work having to clean everything up after the job's completion, but it sure is interesting to watch a new pond being dug, formed, and coming to life.
I don’t like fixing other folk’s messes, but I figure as long as there isn’t a tremendous potential for hidden problems, then it all pays the same. I wonder if the previous contractor of this project subscribes to your channel? I’m guessing no, but they should 😀. I look forward to seeing beautification, transformation, and perfection when y’all finish.
thats what i useually do wich seems just gounging money from people istead working for it thats why i have a great company helps me alot and there great wich i enjoy have the best greatest help
At first, the whole area has to be dried up by creating canals, just like they drain swamps. When everything is dry then a nice lake bed can be excavated
Hey Chris, glad to see that you are back to diggin' some Carolina liquid earth! When I was in the business I always thought mat work was awesome. When you get that "pucker factor" feeling of "am I gonna stay afloat?"
Lol , I just cut a channel from large dirt pit to a 3 ac pond next to it. Filled the hole pit up in about 20 minutes. It’s the video I put up two days ago if you want to see it. th-cam.com/video/ftdzylAv_DQ/w-d-xo.html
you make your living by showing how it is suppose to be done, word of mouth goes a long way but having video proof of the care you take at every job large or small keeps you busy. you never know the circumstances of the first person doing the job, but you jump in organize it so it can be done correctly and as efficiently as possible
Chris, you're always doing a darn heck of a good job ! You got some skills operating these huge machines, man. I really hope you're making good money with such skills !
Are you going to show us start to finish on this pond ? I hope so I love your videos of building ponds you are amazing and I really enjoy watching you ,thanks Chris your amazing
A question for you if you have time. Enjoying watching you run these heavy machines. Im a truck driver. I dont operate heavy equipment. Dablled with a couple ... I wonder when you grab these mud laden root balls can you lift and shake them? I see you drop them to free up some dirt and mud. Thanks in advance.
Great days work you got done there Chris . I'm a operater it's great watching the way u go about things. Always have a plan and know what your doing which makes a great driver 👍 Great watching your videos currently sitting at home due to this covid shite 🙄can't wait to get back to work.. Glen 🇮🇪
It's interesting how consistent your cycle time is. I have noticed this on the mini ex, as well as the larger ones, where when I am using the 10 second Skip on the TH-cam app, your bucket is in the same spot every time I skip ahead lol Sometimes if I hit on mid swing, I have to wait a few seconds so that it's when you are starting another scoop and it's more interesting, and then I can just watch the scoops and skip the swings.
I had never giver plant machine a thought in life, but i come across this find it pleasent and relaxing to watch, dont you just love it, i bet a city girl like me will never get the chance to operate a 250 ? 💕.
This was kinda gross, but I couldn't stop watching. I'm blown away at the skill displayed and that you didn't sink. I bet that's going to be one great minnow pond. And kudos to you for helping those folks out when they were left with this mess.
Chris there’s nothing in the world that I hate the most is to go behind someone else and clean up their mess I hate that but great video brother and I’m glad to see y’all back on a big pond job
What a muddy mess you've stepped into bud! But I'm looking forward to the transformation into a beautiful body of water! Keep the videos coming! It's fun and relaxing watch you do your thing!
So was John using the 220 on the other project? When Chris said the dead tree at 13:00 would need the chainsaw, I had a mind picture of Tim up to his armpits in swamp.
Nice rescue. That little pond was a MESS!! Nothing like experience to unravel a mess like that. There appeared to be a lot of rotting vegetation.....How smelly was the job?
I would really like an update on the LD18 attachment line. I am curious as to how many they have sold or have been ordered for people. I don’t know if you can find that information out or not. I like hearing that people, like you, who own businesses come up with an amazing idea and the manufacture is on board with it. I would just like to see it take off for you and AMI
city kid here . never seen stuff like this close up. interesting. cool to watch. these metal monsters are damn powerful and they're not even close to the biggest ones we have on this globe of ours.
Those mats look familiar,you sure they weren’t stock piled near a local sawmill that you visit weekly.and so nice person said take few were not going to be using them ,anytime soon.😎😎😎👍👍👍😏😏😏
Lol, I have a stack by us. The pipe line guy told us that each Matt a has a small gps tracking device in the side of each one so they can track them if any are left behind in the 80mile line there doing here. OR in case anybody gets sticky fingers 😂
Chris. I’ve been enjoying your longer videos you’ve been putting out lately! I’m sure the customer will be happy when you’re done with your attention to detail.
Question: Can you curl the bucket against the thumb without doing damage to the thumb cylinder? I see that some clearly do that and was wondering because I will be renting a Kab. U35 for a month to clean up a 5 acre property. Keep up the vids, you give good tips.
45 years ago I dug ponds &ditches with a Bucyrus Erie 22B dragline. Mats would be 4 logs cabled together and would move them by hooking the cable with a tooth on the bucket and dragging them around. The tracks on the machine were smooth and on the wet slippery mats one always had to pay attention because you could inadvertently pull the machine off the mats real quickly when digging. With a dragline trees and brush were a lot harder to deal with than with a hoe with a thumb. Also, we didn’t have ATV’s back then and when working out in the marsh you had the pleasure of walking to the machine each day. I collect old machines and what was work back then I now consider fun. Keep up the good work.
I have worked with some good operators that could control underground water when coring man holes , there are a lot that can’t . You are certainly the best pond maintenance and builder of ponds that I think there is around here ! Very methodical in the way you work off the Matt’s with those big old Volvo Excavators . Seems to want to rain once or twice a week here lately . The best thing about the pandemic is the traffic ! We are going to hate it when every body goes back to work at work ! Thanks for taking us along with you today !
Great video. Majority of what I have been doing lately. Working for a farmer that bought 1100 acres that was a hunting club. Probably 700 acres cleared so far but have been in nothing but the bottoms and creeks and working w the pond some to get the creeks, water runoff from the fields, along w putting in or getting ready to put in drain tile and pipe. The main messes so far have been where ditches or small ponds have been made for runoff and overflow of ponds they dug out and didn't fan the dirt out up the field where the runoff afterwards will come down into it. Until this week everytime it rained the field runoff in alot of spots would come down 10 to 20 us from ditches and hit the humps of dirt and make a wash and run alongside it so for both sides of the ditch for a ways 20 yds or more in places would hold water and have bad washes. Been fixing those and going into some new places clearing and making them drain off.
To watch this guy run that machine like it is an extension of himself is amazing. Talent a 12 on a 1 to 10 scale.
Your eye figuring out what needs to be done amazes me! Obviously a lot of experience involved with developing the vision.
I love watching your pond projects! Can’t wait to see more as summer comes around and things dry out. Thanks phor sharing.
You have a great 'systematic approach' to these projects which makes for an efficient use of time! It's also most likely why the previous guy walked away, He was overwhelmed by the scale of the project and jumped from one thing to another, never completing anything.
Love it when you get down and dirty Chris , that’s when I started watching you, when you were clearing out beaver dams and ditches, about 2 1/2 to 3 years ago, working off mats. You’re the man to sort that mess out. Thanks for the fantastic videos 👏👏👏👏👏👍🇬🇧
awesome digging, all those dead trees and mud, draining the water, can't wait for the next video.. to see it start to take shape 🚜
There is nothing like digging a channel thru mud and making a stream. Reminds me of childhood stream clearing...so satisfying!!!!! Thanks chris that video was cool as hell!!!!
absolutely!
Hope there is a part 2
I used to go up into the high country bush and break out beaver dams just to watch the massive flood I could create! Fun times.
Your pond videos are awesome, thanks for the vid !
Chris this seems to be a specialty of yours , building ponds and repairing existing ones. I live in a small town next door to the town you live in and was wondering what permits one would need to build a pond on there property if any permits were needed. Due to I would be damming up a good size creek for the time it would take for the pond to fill them of course the creek would turn back to normal.
New area, other peoples mess, unknowns, getting a plan, all adds to the "pucker" factor!! Amazes me how you're able to see what has to be done and then just do it. Nice job and great video! Jim.
Please start making playlists so i can watch a Project in wan go.
Well, the new mud mats were diffidently Baptisted in mud on their first job, inasmuch, as they got mud-coated and soaking wet. It's really good to see you back digging ponds once again, I had missed seeing you guys track-deep in water and mud. I know it's hard on the equipment and gives you extra work having to clean everything up after the job's completion, but it sure is interesting to watch a new pond being dug, formed, and coming to life.
Great job, you've got smooth skills on the Digger. It's good that you talk through what you intend doing and then we see the results. Keep safe.
It was awesome to watch you work on this project this weekend...probably the most interesting thing that I watched! Thank you for sharing!
I could watch this guy all day. Very good operator. Reminds me of watching the Silver Spade moving mats.
Nothing like paying for your ponds twice, once to dig it and again to dig it right..... You are the Man Chris !!!
I have been looking forward to a good pond dig! Always transforms from a big mess into something nice , keep up the good work. Onelove from the UK
I don’t like fixing other folk’s messes, but I figure as long as there isn’t a tremendous potential for hidden problems, then it all pays the same. I wonder if the previous contractor of this project subscribes to your channel? I’m guessing no, but they should 😀. I look forward to seeing beautification, transformation, and perfection when y’all finish.
thats what i useually do wich seems just gounging money from people istead working for it thats why i have a great company helps me alot and there great wich i enjoy have the best greatest help
Not nice fixing someone else's mess but satisfying knowing you where able to complete an unfinshed project
At first, the whole area has to be dried up by creating canals, just like they drain swamps. When everything is dry then a nice lake bed can be excavated
They've got the right guy now for a beautiful picturesque pond...👍👍
Them new mats are pretty, almost a shame to get them dirty.
yeah but id rather be useing them then is getting stuck sinking in swamp wich would suck ah chris lol
Bet you that he power wash those mats after he has finished his jobs
Sunday morning 9.51 am first smoke first coffee and watching a man doing his job ,,,,, gonna love the weekend lol
Hey Chris, glad to see that you are back to diggin' some Carolina liquid earth! When I was in the business I always thought mat work was awesome. When you get that "pucker factor" feeling of "am I gonna stay afloat?"
Great video. Nice a real good and smooth operator
You are a very smooth operator.
Nice work and it was the 1st time I saw someone using mats. Thanks for the entertainment.
your dig videos are are great to relax and have my morning coffee with
Wow. In your hands, that machine is very capable.
To you, that was 'just another day.' To me, it was pretty awesome
Thanks.
there is something so gratifying about cutting channels and watching water drain for me
Certainly appeals to the little child in all of us
Lol , I just cut a channel from large dirt pit to a 3 ac pond next to it. Filled the hole pit up in about 20 minutes. It’s the video I put up two days ago if you want to see it.
th-cam.com/video/ftdzylAv_DQ/w-d-xo.html
You will probably like the channel "post 10"
I could watch this stuff all day long. Nice job.
Hi, I have been watching some of your videos. Have to say I really enjoying them. Thanks for making the effort to post them. Great job.
you make your living by showing how it is suppose to be done, word of mouth goes a long way but having video proof of the care you take at every job large or small keeps you busy.
you never know the circumstances of the first person doing the job, but you jump in organize it so it can be done correctly and as efficiently as possible
Chris, you're always doing a darn heck of a good job ! You got some skills operating these huge machines, man. I really hope you're making good money with such skills !
Are you going to show us start to finish on this pond ? I hope so I love your videos of building ponds you are amazing and I really enjoy watching you ,thanks Chris your amazing
I always like watching a good pond makeover Letsdig18 can do anything
Would love to see the finished product, someday.
The start of another great project being done the correct way by Chris. I bet it ends up really nice.
A question for you if you have time. Enjoying watching you run these heavy machines. Im a truck driver. I dont operate heavy equipment. Dablled with a couple ... I wonder when you grab these mud laden root balls can you lift and shake them? I see you drop them to free up some dirt and mud. Thanks in advance.
You got some mad skills sir.
Do you know what’s better than watching Chris dig a pond? Watching Chris work with Canadian beer in my hand lol 🍺 nice work as always
Chris's philosophical minute. How to get water to drain. Love it God bless
Thanks for the great videos! Love them. Ben, Queensland Australia
It’s amazing how your mind can asses the situation and fix it.
You Obviously know what you’re doing. Great 👍 job! 👏
Chris how long does it take for a pond that size to clear after you get done with it?
with the water flowing in this one so fast probably a couple weeks
I hope there is a part 2!! Great entertainment!
that widow maker made me flinch I can only imagine how more intense it was sitting in the cab. you make it look way to easy a mark of a true craftsman
Think this is one of my favorite ponds. Like it because it isn't just round or square. Skillfully done. Ever lose a wood mat in the mud?
Chris your pond videoes are my favorite! When will these people learn to call your company first and stop paying double!
Great days work you got done there Chris . I'm a operater it's great watching the way u go about things. Always have a plan and know what your doing which makes a great driver 👍 Great watching your videos currently sitting at home due to this covid shite 🙄can't wait to get back to work..
Glen
🇮🇪
very entertaining and very efficient , a job well done
Always like to see you break out the mats . Cause I know you are going to play in mud . Can’t wait to watch the progress
Todd Roberts always amazing how 96sq ft of timber can float 52,000lbs!!!
Good to see the 220 again
Damn, the dexterity with which you operate that thing is beautiful!
That was cool to watch... nice job!!
You could get a wood chipper and chip the greens on site, mulch them in, would safe transportation cost / time
It's interesting how consistent your cycle time is. I have noticed this on the mini ex, as well as the larger ones, where when I am using the 10 second Skip on the TH-cam app, your bucket is in the same spot every time I skip ahead lol
Sometimes if I hit on mid swing, I have to wait a few seconds so that it's when you are starting another scoop and it's more interesting, and then I can just watch the scoops and skip the swings.
I’ve only done it a few times myself but I really envy people that are good at this. I wish I had one and some property to just practice on.
This was a good one to watch to relax by. Like watching a fish tank. Chris is my fish.
Jeez that looks like fun. I gotta get me some equipment!
I had never giver plant machine a thought in life, but i come across this find it pleasent and relaxing to watch, dont you just love it, i bet a city girl like me will never get the chance to operate a 250 ? 💕.
Amazing what a badass operator can do. Good stuff!
I find this digging thing fascinating, not sure why. I never miss an episode. I go back to old episodes to find those I haven't seen.
This guy is not fooling around. Master operator. Cool.
Yes! New pond vid.
What's better than a pond video u ask ? TWO PONDS !!! WOOOHOOOOO
This was kinda gross, but I couldn't stop watching. I'm blown away at the skill displayed and that you didn't sink. I bet that's going to be one great minnow pond. And kudos to you for helping those folks out when they were left with this mess.
Chris makes the custom system to each Job look so easy.
Love that thumb! 👍🏼
Half done can be dealt with half ass is another story because you usually have to start by fixing
Enjoy the work your doing Chris .
Chris there’s nothing in the world that I hate the most is to go behind someone else and clean up their mess I hate that but great video brother and I’m glad to see y’all back on a big pond job
Amazing and relaxing to see you work!
Love the new mats, I think they might be a little big for my K008-3.....
Good job mate 👍👍 that Volvo is a great machine keep it up mate 😊
What a muddy mess you've stepped into bud! But I'm looking forward to the transformation into a beautiful body of water! Keep the videos coming! It's fun and relaxing watch you do your thing!
So was John using the 220 on the other project? When Chris said the dead tree at 13:00 would need the chainsaw, I had a mind picture of Tim up to his armpits in swamp.
those trees looked like toys to that lol
Love how you can operate your machine as smooth as that I haven't a clue
Looking forward to more videos on the project it is going to be very good viewing if day one is anything to go by. Stay safe guys
7:20 volvo so good at making construction equipment it snaps logs clean no need to chainsaw things.
13:40 yeah? that so? It was cut either by this man's operation of the person who left it incomplete.
Definitely missed the 220! Glad to see you back in it and it sitting on mats!
Nice rescue. That little pond was a MESS!! Nothing like experience to unravel a mess like that. There appeared to be a lot of rotting vegetation.....How smelly was the job?
What wood are dour mats made from. Great videos how are they held together
Pond Hustler! 💪🏼
Leave it to Chris, he knows how to sort thing out. A true professional. Great video, thank you.
I would really like an update on the LD18 attachment line. I am curious as to how many they have sold or have been ordered for people. I don’t know if you can find that information out or not. I like hearing that people, like you, who own businesses come up with an amazing idea and the manufacture is on board with it. I would just like to see it take off for you and AMI
8 mins into video and already saying to myself....BEST JOB EVER.....
Almost sounded like a pole barn build at the beginning.
Contactor gets 1/2 up front buys a few boards the leaves all jacked up.🤔🙄
I can tell you love your job it must be fun doing all the projects you do
I am really liking this one !
What a mess. But it does make for good work. Before and After Pic's. Thanks Chris !
city kid here . never seen stuff like this close up. interesting. cool to watch. these metal monsters are damn powerful and they're not even close to the biggest ones we have on this globe of ours.
Those mats look familiar,you sure they weren’t stock piled near a local sawmill that you visit weekly.and so nice person said take few were not going to be using them ,anytime soon.😎😎😎👍👍👍😏😏😏
I mean gees it's not like those guys are gonna use that acre of mats any time soon 😄 jus borrowin'
Lol, I have a stack by us. The pipe line guy told us that each Matt a has a small gps tracking device in the side of each one so they can track them if any are left behind in the 80mile line there doing here. OR in case anybody gets sticky fingers 😂
@@louisianadirt2188 And you believed him? 😉
Are those a hard wood? What do you prefer the mat be made of?
Cool stuff, great job!
Chris. I’ve been enjoying your longer videos you’ve been putting out lately! I’m sure the customer will be happy when you’re done with your attention to detail.
Great video Chris looking forward to seeing more videos on this job hope you have a great weekend
Question: Can you curl the bucket against the thumb without doing damage to the thumb cylinder?
I see that some clearly do that and was wondering because I will be renting a Kab. U35 for a month to clean up a 5 acre property.
Keep up the vids, you give good tips.