The Backhoe Digs a Hole*

*Sing this to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell."


This is another story for Clam, ninos, although Weezie and EM may be interested also. EM sees this equipment whenever she goes to the cabin, which is often, and she rides on the Gradall with Aunt Sandy. And remember, girl-children, your Grandma/Aunt Sandy can operate this equipment. What do you think about that? Here you see Uncle Judd's backhoe (yes, Clam, he has his very own backhoe) and in the background you see his big white pick-up truck, the one he used to bring us from the airport to Nonna's house. And that is the cabin that he and Aunt Sandy have been building for the last five years. It is pretty grand for a cabin, but that's what they call it.

Today Uncle Judd is working on his fountain that he is building in the center of the driveway. He is using the backhoe to dig a big hole. The hole will hold a large water tank which will supply water for the fountain.

Here is the big white tank.

The backhoe is digging the hole which must be larger than the tank for it to fit inside.

Uncle Judd and the backhoe at work.

The business end of the digger is called a "clamshell."
Here it is coming out of the hole, filled with dirt.

Here it is again. Notice the sharp "teeth" which are used to bite into the dirt.

Uncle Judd is getting ready to dump the dirt from the clamshell.

See how he turns the clamshell over and shakes the dirt onto the pile.

The hole looks like it might be large enough for the tank.
It's time to stop and measure.

Uncle Judd is smiling.
He knows he's getting close to finishing the job of digging this hole.

He leaves the clamshell ready to do more work, just in case the hole is not large enough.

He gets a big cup of ice water and takes a break.

Yay! The hole was big enough.

Now Uncle Judd uses the Gradall to lift the tank and place it in the hole.

Stan the landscape man is there to guide the tank into the hole and check measurements.

Job done!
Uncle Judd makes it look easy, doesn't he?
Maybe one of these days you can come visit Uncle Judd at the cabin
and ride with him in the backhoe. Wouldn't that be fun?