How do you plan efficient dig patterns?

Let’s discuss how to plan your digging patterns properly. Whether you’re operating a digger or loader, having a good plan before you start moving dirt is crucial, just like how the All Blacks don’t run onto the field without a game plan!

Why Proper Planning Matters

A proper plan helps you work faster, saves fuel, and keeps your machine from working harder than it needs to. You don’t want to end up moving the same dirt multiple times, wasting fuel, and taking way longer than necessary.

Understanding Your Worksite

Before you even think about starting up your machine, you need to have a good look around your worksite to identify the work area and the margins around the work area. Walk the entire area if you can. Look for things that might cause issues later on:

• Check for any underground and overground services. We have strict rules about digging near utilities. You’ll need to get proper locations marked out and might need permits depending on where you’re working. Give Dial Before You Dig a call; better safe than sorry!
• Next, have a good look at the ground conditions. Is it wet? Rocky? Sandy? Different soil types will affect how you plan your dig. Wet ground might mean you need to create temporary access paths. Rocky ground might slow you down and affect where you stockpile.
• Also keep an eye out for any slopes or gradients. You’ll want to work with the natural lay of the land where possible. Fighting against gravity is never a winning battle, mate!

Setting Up Your Staging Areas

Now, here’s where a lot of newbies go wrong. They don’t even think about where they’re going to put the dirt they’re digging up. You need to plan your stockpile locations carefully. The golden rule is never handle material twice if you can help it.

Think about where the material needs to end up. If it’s being loaded onto trucks, make sure your stockpile position gives you a good swing angle for loading. If you’re moving it to another part of the site, plan the shortest possible travel distance.

Your staging areas need to be:

• On stable ground that can handle the weight
• Away from any services or structures
• Easily accessible for both your machine and any trucks
• positioned so you’re not creating extra work for yourself

Working in Zones

Break your work area into zones. Instead of jumping all over the place, work methodically through each zone. This keeps your machine movements efficient and helps you track your progress.

For a typical excavation job, you might divide your site into strips about the width of your machine’s reach. Work through each strip systematically, moving either forward or backward depending on your setup. This way, you’re always working with a clean edge and can easily see your progress.

Machine Positioning and Movement

Right, let’s talk about where to park your digger or loader. A common mistake is positioning your machine so you’re constantly having to reposition it.

For excavators, you want to position yourself so you can reach as much area as possible without moving. The sweet spot is usually about 45 degrees on either side of your tracks. This gives you good stability and efficient swing times. Any further than that and you’re wasting time with longer swing cycles.

When you do need to move, try to work in a straight line backwards. This keeps your tracks clean and gives you a good view of your work. Plus, you’re not messing up ground you’ve already leveled.

Planning Your Dig Sequence

Your dig sequence needs to be logical and efficient. Start with the furthest point and work towards yourself. This way, you’re not driving over areas you’ve already dug.

For a typical dig, you might:

1. Start at the deepest point (if you’re digging to different depths)
2. Work in strips about the width of your bucket
3. Complete each section fully before moving on
4. Keep your spoil pile on one side consistently

Think about your swing angles too. If you’re loading trucks, try to keep them positioned at about 90 degrees to your dig face. This gives you the fastest cycle times and is easiest on your machine.

Working with the Weather

In good old New Zealand, we know the weather can change faster than a cricket score. Your dig pattern needs to take this into account. If rain’s likely, plan your work so you’ve got proper drainage. Nothing worse than having your site turn into a swimming pool!

In wet conditions, try to:

• Work from the lowest point upwards
• Create temporary drainage channels
• Keep access paths on higher ground
• Have a contingency plan for wet weather

Safety Considerations

While we’re focusing on efficiency, safety always comes first. Your dig pattern needs to maintain safe slopes and benching where required. Remember, anything deeper than 1.5 meters needs proper shoring or battering in most cases.

Keep your machine on level ground where possible. If you must work on a slope, keep your tracks in line with the slope, never across it. And always maintain a clear escape route in case things go pear-shaped.

Monitoring and Adjusting

Even the best-laid plans sometimes need tweaking. Keep an eye on how your pattern is working and be ready to adjust if needed. Are you hitting your target depths? Is material moving efficiently? Are you maintaining good productivity?

Don’t be afraid to stop and reassess if something’s not working. Better to spend five minutes planning than an hour fixing problems.

Final Thoughts

The key to efficient digging isn’t about working faster, it’s about working smarter. A well-planned dig pattern might take a bit more thought at the start, but it’ll save you heaps of time and hassle in the long run.

Take your time to plan properly, think about your machine movements, and always prioritise safety. Before you know it, planning efficient dig patterns will become second nature.

Here are 4 commonly asked questions about planning efficient dig patterns:

How do you determine the best starting point for an excavation pattern?

The best starting point is typically the deepest or furthest point of your excavation, working backward towards your exit point. This prevents you from having to track over previously excavated areas and maintains clean access.

What’s the most efficient swing angle for an excavator when digging?

The most efficient swing angle is between 45 and 90 degrees from your tracks. Working within this range provides the best balance between productivity and machine stability while minimising cycle times and fuel consumption.

How do you plan stockpile locations for maximum efficiency?

Stockpile locations should be placed to minimise travel distance and swing times, ideally within one swing movement from your dig area. They should be on stable ground, away from the excavation edge, and positioned to allow easy truck access if material is being hauled away.

What’s the most effective way to divide a large excavation area into workable sections?

Break the area into strips about the width of your machine’s reach (typically 1-1.5 times the boom length). Work systematically through each strip, completing one section fully before moving to the next. This ensures consistent depth and efficient machine movement.