We need to remove around 1100 sq m of soil to a depth of around 1m.  This is a lot of soil and we intend to install the ground loops in three sections.  We will dig each section, lay the pipes and then refill the hole.  We simply don’t have enough space to take all of the soil off in one go.

It took  the whole of the first day to remove the top soil (at a depth of around 100-200mm) on 1100 sq qm.  The top soil will not be put back until all three sections have been installed and the sub soil put back.  If we were to put the top soil back section by section, we would end up with a mess if it rains.

By the end of day 2, we have removed around 250 sq m of subsoil.  The mountains of soil are starting to build up and we are running out of space. 

We are using an 8 tonne excavator.  We tried to get a 30 tonne excavator on site, but it was too big to get up the road.  The 8 tonne excavator was the biggest we could fire at the time.  We have a 14 tonne excavator turning up in an attempt to speed up the ground work.

Start of day 2 of removing the soil for the ground loops. It took all of the first day to remove the top soil. Now we are starting on the sub soil.

Start of day 2 of removing the soil for the ground loops. It took all of the first day to remove the top soil. Now we are starting on the sub soil.

We have started removing the soil for the ground loops. You can see the 150mm of topsoil and then the 700-800mm of subsoil. The piles of soil are starting to build up in the top field. We need to get the ground loops installed in this section so that we put the sub-soil back (making a bit more space!).

We have started removing the soil for the ground loops. You can see the 150mm of topsoil and then the 700-800mm of subsoil. The piles of soil are starting to build up in the top field. We need to get the ground loops installed in this section so that we put the sub-soil back (making a bit more space!).

Each of the ground loops starts and finishes in a manpower. These are 750mm x 1200mm manholes that are going to be 1000mm deep. The bottom of the manholes are propped up on concrete block to allow for the pipework to be installed.

Each of the ground loops starts and finishes in a manpower. These are 750mm x 1200mm manholes that are going to be 1000mm deep. The bottom of the manholes are propped up on concrete block to allow for the pipework to be installed.

These are the manholes for the ground loops. You can see the drain pipes in the background. These are installed into the foundations of the extension before the concrete slab can be laid.

These are the manholes for the ground loops. You can see the drain pipes in the background. These are installed into the foundations of the extension before the concrete slab can be laid.

We have separated out the top soil and sub soil to make reinstating the field that bit easier.

We have separated out the top soil and sub soil to make reinstating the field that bit easier.

All of this subsoil and topsoil has been removed to install the ground loops. The pole in the background is in the next field.

All of this subsoil and topsoil has been removed to install the ground loops. The pole in the background is in the next field.

Not exactly treasure, but this is the only thing that we have found while digging up the field. It is an old electric bench saw.

Not exactly treasure, but this is the only thing that we have found while digging up the field. It is an old electric bench saw.