Digging foundation trench thru ledge, aarrgghhh.

[PeteTheRookie]

It is going to be a miracle if i ever get this garage built. After going thru a few contractors who have done nothing but waste my time, there references dont pan out, or they start with a estimates that left me open to wide price overages, i have resorted to running the project myself.
So i have the plans, materials list all done.
Foundation is only grey area. Up here code requires 4ft frost walls and i require foundation and floor that will handle pulling the 4500tlb in with hoe off but loader on. about 8k lbs, round up to 5tons to be safe.
Dug a couple of test holes around trench outline to test for ledge we knew was there. 1st hole, got about 3ft down and hit clean, smooth ledge. Ok, easy to pin to.
On other side, loaction has one high side and the paralell side is about 3 ft lower, 2 perpendicular sides. One runs down on a steady slope, other drops off abruptly.
Hit ledge at surface and about 1 ft down on low side.
So i get to digging high side.
Ugh, erratic, all over the place jagged ledge. Hit it with hoe, some sqaure blocks of granite come up but alot does not move.
Going to have to power wash and hand dig dirt out so i can see what i can drill and spilt out.
 

[JF in CT]

Doing the contracting myself is exactly why I bought my 4500 years ago. I tripled the size of my barn with it. I also have ledge at eratic depths all over. Ledge is the best thing you can have (IMHO) if you are not building a basement (lots less concrete). You don't need full size footings. Just something to get the forms somewhat level. Easier again if you go with block. BTW, the book shows my 4500TLB at about 6.5 tons. I also back it in with the hoe on (taking it on and off is a nusiance). Just takes a little careful control manipulation. I have a 4" thick floor pinned to the side walls. Add more re-rod if you are uncomfortable.

 

[PJH]

That is one sharp looking hoe!!!
 

[PeteTheRookie]

Jeff,
yes, with hoe on 6.5 ton.
My garage is not going to be big enough to bring it in with hoe on. I do not have enough property or $$$ to build a nice big barn.
Other issue I have at my site is no good level location to start with.
My garage site is going to "hang off" the side of a raised ledge area. So while front frost wall will be shallow, pinned to ledge the entire back wall (36ft) will be above current ground level and have to be 4-5 ft tall and back filled.
The 2 26ft side walls same in back, sloping up to high ground on front.
If I had to do it all over again, would pass on this property altogether.
Not big enough, no level areas at all, and worst of all neighbors stink.
But I am stuck here unless I win lotto.
Pete
 

[Russ from MN]

What is ledge? I have heard that term occasionally for many years. To me ledge means protruding rock with air or dirt under it! In MN when we get to solid rock it's almost always bedrock and the other side of it's in China!
 

[PeteTheRookie]

Have to agree that is one Beautiful Hoe!
My 4500 looks like a old gladiator that has seen
one too many battles. Scarred, bleeding. LOL

But I love Hercules!

Pete
 

[JF in CT]

You folks are way too kind. That photo was taken 5 years ago after I finished the restoration on it which I did once I got the barn (extension) done. It has been doing some serious logging on the property since and doesn't quite look as nice anymore. It runs like a monster, however, and I can't imagine being without it.

Jim