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Finally got the hang of setting up on soft ground after a near miss
For years, I'd just eyeball the ground and drop my outrigger pads, thinking if it looked firm, it was fine. That changed after a job in Everett last spring where we were on a reclaimed lot. I set up, started a light pick, and felt that awful little sink on one side. My spotter yelled, and we stopped. The ground looked solid but had a layer of soft fill about a foot down. Now, I always use a probe rod first to check soil layers. I carry a 4-foot steel rod and push it in at each pad spot. If it goes in too easy past 18 inches, I know I need bigger mats or a different setup. It adds maybe ten minutes but saves a huge headache. Has anyone else had to change their setup check because of tricky ground?
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rosed326mo ago
A probe rod is good, but you should also check for buried utilities first.
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robert_rodriguez667mo ago
Just eyeballing it is how you end up on the evening news. A probe rod is smart, my old boss would just kick the dirt and say "she'll hold." We spent more time recovering rigs than actually working.
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