Arrow

Where Earthmovers Go to Grow

Arrow-white Simple tricks to deal with sticky soil on construction sites

Posted by Jasmin Homo
|

Jan 25, 2017

| |
7 mins read

How many times does mud cause a halt to the construction operation? How difficult or easy is it dealing with the sticky soil?

Sticky soil or mud, particularly during rainy days, slows down the construction project. It clogs trenching buckets, making it difficult to dig. It sticks to the tracks and wheels, which calls for an intensive cleaning job thereafter.

Dealing with sticky soil may not be as easy as pie, but then it’s not too difficult to handle if back up stream with proper equipment.

 

Sticky Material.jpg

 

Machines rescue machines

Nothing is more frustrating than seeing excavators stuck in the mud. Instead of working on the project, some resources need to conduct a “rescue” operation because of this.

A great use of skills is needed to safely get the heavy equipment out of the sticky soil. The excavator operator exerts great effort to lift the machine until the other operator can manage to escape from the swamp.

Solution

Mark off the area where the excavators shouldn’t explore prior to the start of the construction project.

Use wide track shoes to allow machines to move safely over the ground, but choose the right type for sticky or swampy soils. Wide track shoes increase traction and grip while reducing ground pressure, preventing the machines getting stuck in the mud, which causes construction downtime.

 

When sticky materials build up

The sticky problem can get any worse when this sticky materials stick on the equipment. That’s really “sticky” to think of.

A small amount of this material can turn to a bulk that occupies the great amounts of space on the equipment, particularly in the tracks. No doubt this causes more downtime on the construction site.

Intensive cleaning should be made to get rid of the caked on dirt and shake off dirt residue. Some others try to remove sticky materials using sharp objects to scrape it off. However, this procedure may cause damage to the equipment.

Solution

Remember mud mats for heavy equipment? They are there for a reason. Lay them down on the sticky soil for a smooth working area.

In case mud mats aren’t available, putting down gravel is the best alternative.

 

Right excavator attachments get it done

One of the biggest problems for excavator operators is sticky and clay soils that cling on the back or inside of the buckets every time you are trenching. They gather on the edges of the attachments, preventing them from doing their tasks smoothly.

These regular excavator attachments can still dig on in the sticky mud; however, it takes extra time to finish. Efficiency at work can be compromised because it takes more time to complete tasks.

Solution

Some operators apply oil or grease on the buckets and other attachments as the solution to this “sticky” issue. It is most of the time effective but then it may consume more time as re-application is needed when the oil or grease gets dry.

The best way to avoid this is to find the right excavator attachment to deal with this mad mud. Like with Spade Frame & Insert and Spade Bucket of Attach2, sticky materials don’t cling on the frame or stick on the edge. They are designed to have a less curved back to allow sticky materials to slip down while still holding a decent amount of soil.

 

Moving and slipping on its own will

It’s no longer rocket science to know that sticky soil carries some of the properties of a liquid. It's a mixture of clay and more fluid that makes it unstable.

During wet weather, dealing with sticky soil becomes more difficult because it flows as freely as it wants. It moves rapidly, causing delays in completing construction tasks if not attended immediately.

Solution

Trench shields protect people working on the trench. Trench shore, on the other hand, prevents walls from collapsing. Using these two equipment is highly recommended for unstable sticky soil.

 

Don’t leave any trace

Heavy equipment isn’t meant for spreading dirt on the road, but what if these sticky materials are too clingy to handle?

It’s not new to people on the construction site to see mud piling up on the tracks or wheels of heavy machines. They, for sure, try their best to remove them to not spread it on public roads. However, they can’t just get rid of it all.

There are perhaps a few ones who seems to forget to clean the excavator first before moving it on the road. (Also, maybe they don’t have the enough equipment to handle this muddy situation.)

Solution

The use of mud mats doesn’t only assist in a smooth construction operation, it also helps avoid accumulating sticky materials on wheels.

Another one is to invest in a truck wash to loosen and wash off sticky dirt and excess water. Shaking off dirt cakes or any materials on the excavator not only helps in keeping the road clean, it also protects the equipment from wear and tear.

 

6f071e30-8a02-4450-8272-17cb7c0b9420_800.jpg

 

Safety first, please

A mudslide or mudflow can occur in the most unexpected time. Sticky soil may appear solid when dry but soft when it gets disturbed. These two of several issues related to health and safety can be avoided when preparations are being made.

As we’ve mentioned in our previous blog post, health and safety should be a high priority.

Solution

The best solution is to mark off all the dangerous wet, muddy areas and any spot that accidents are prone.

Inform all the people on the construction site about the restricted areas, especially where mudslides or mudflow may occur, to avoid accidents.

construction downtime

Related Post

Customer Profile: SJT Earthmoving

Read More

Downtime.

That word, strikes fear into Business Managers, annoys Foremen and makes Operators wince. That may sound melodramatic but..

Read More

What does the customer really want?

Looking at our Market and what we offer, I often find myself considering, what is the customer really wanting. Using the..

Read More