1500 lb tractor on Septic System
Kevin Squires
my Septic System leach field?
Mike
Kevin Squires <kevin....@wang.com> wrote in message
news:9g7u84$qdg$1...@pyrite.mv.net...
> I have a 1500 lb tractor (John Deere 4100). Should I avoid driving it over
> my Septic System leach field?
Yes. Even if the weight of the tractor doesn't crush whatever sort of drain
lines you have the soil compaction caused by the tractor is not compatible with
proper functioning of the drainfield.
Mike
Michael Bruss
: Kevin Squires <kevin....@wang.com> wrote in message
I have to disagree (as does my septic contractor). As long as the leach
lines were properly installed at the correct depth and with plenty of
crushed rock around them with tar paper over the rock, and as long as the
dirt has had a year to settle, driving heavy farm equipment over it should
be no problem. We and our neighbors routinely drive 300+ HP articulated
tractors towing 24 ft wide disks over our leach fields and have had no
problems. Not sure what these beasts weigh, but it's got to be many tons.
Do not drive even a lawn tractor over the tank however. If at all possible,
the tank should be fenced-off to protect it and to make it easy to find for
servicing. The fencing can be just a T-post at each corner with a single
rope connecting the tops of the T-posts.
Do not plant plants with invasive roots over the leach field. Specifically
do not plant trees and shrubs. Field crops and grass hay are OK provided
you don't use a lot of flood irrigation (rice is an obvious no, no). Not
sure about alfalfa (it's a perrennial (sp?) and has deep roots).
Mike
Tom
I'm not familiar with that particular machine (you said 1500#) the
important thing to consider is the ground pressure exerted by the
machine. Speak to your dealer and ask what the manufacturer rates the
ground pressure at. An average man exerts about 5 PSI per footprint in
soft soil, some LGP (low ground pressure) equipment exerts as little as
2.5 # PSI. When someone (Mike) speaks of large farm tractors, whether
they are aware of it or not, most are considered LGP machines by the
manufacturer as a result of the number and size of tires mounted on the
machine. Simply stated, if your machine only had a ground contact
surface of four size 11 or 12 shoes, it would only equal twice the
pressure exerted by an average man.
Mike
generally not licensed or required to have special expertise (at least in my
area of the country).
A lot would depend upon the soil type, the size of the drain area/amount of
effluent processed, the slope, the proximity to sources of drinking water, etc.
Much of the treatment of the dangerous pathogens in septic effluent occurs in
the layer of topsoil that has access to air and oxygen. If the soils are
marginal to begin with there is a danger of compacting the soil in the area of
the drainfield. The compaction could cause the effluent to run off-site during
periods of heavy effluent flows. Usually septic fields are constructed in areas
without municipal water and therefore every effort should be made to protect the
wells or springs from contamination. Visual surface inspection may not be
sufficient to reveal this type of failure because effluent can flow under the
surface of the soil, for instance along a layer of impermeable clay or on top of
bedrock. Without knowing the local geology, soil type, topography and the
location of potable water supplies, it is impossible to say that soil compaction
would not be a problem.
As far as your advice to never drive a lawn-mower over the septic tank, that too
would depend upon the specific situation. Some tanks are designed to be driven
on. Without knowing the specifications of the tank it would be wise to not drive
on it just as it would be wise to avoid driving on the drainfield if you do not
know the various particulars.