10/19/2016
Large residential foundation GRIND!!!!
Project is in Chico, California.
This project went through extensive rock mitigation review with the general contractor, architect, and owner. The strength of the native material and refusal by conventional track excavator bucket pushed the contractor to seek other methods of removal.
Blasting was considered, but was not an option due to nearby residents. After comparable methods were considered, Hard Rock Grinding & Rentals was hired to perform the mass excavation and footings removal using a TCU or Transverse Cutter Unit. The deciding factors was due to the speed of equipment mobilization to job site from Hard Rock Grinding & Rentals, the TCU removal rate per hour and byproduct the cutter produced.
Hard Rock Grinding & Rentals, operated a 160hp cutter unit with carbide tip attack picks, commissioned to a Cat 330c, 80,000lbs track excavator with auxiliary hydraulics. The expected removal rates were in the low teens per hour. The actual rate of removal in the mass excavation was 13 to 17 yards per hour. When it came to the footings, the TCU was extremely flexible in lining up with footing layout.
Extra bonus was a clean cut to trench walls, saving in considerable concrete cost due to no over brake unlike a hydraulic hammer.
This project had a large retaining walls system needing approved back fill. All of the spoils for this project was re-use for padding and retaining wall back fill. (See photo of spoils).
No export of broke rock and no import of suitable back fill materials, saving thousands in trucking cost!