The old septic was failing and the lot needed regrading before I could pave the driveway. We pulled the trigger in the dead of winter — surveyor with a laser tripod, an excavator, a Kubota skid steer, and a flatbed dropping fiberglass tanks in the snow. Tank lids set, lines tied in to the cottage, pumped and inspected. Final plumbing permit signed off on the porta-john.
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Before Excavator parked on the snowy lot with utility lines marked. Cold start to a big job.
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During Yellow excavator staged on the wooded slope, ready to start cutting grade.
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During First scoop with the surveyor's tripod still set up. Neighbors got a show.
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During Digging the field with the laser running for grade.
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During Flatbed delivering the tanks. The excavator did the lifting once they were on the ground.
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During New fiberglass tank staged beside the cottage. Once the hole was dug it dropped right in.
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During Excavator setting the tank in the hole. Slow and straight, no hurry.
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During Tank in, skid steer backfilling around it. Snow doesn't care about your schedule.
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During Risers and lids set above grade so the pump truck can find them without digging.
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During Excavation viewed from the porch. Lake in the background, dirt in the foreground.
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During Excavator and Kubota clearing the front-yard side near the road.
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During Both machines grading the hillside above the lake.
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During Dump truck unloading gravel for the trench bed. Skid steer on standby to spread it.
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During Backyard slope dug out with the new tank lids visible. Re-grade was the last piece.
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During Pump truck on the street below while we finished the regrade. Cleanest day on the project.
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Plumbing permit signed off — stuck right on the porta-john where the inspector found it.
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