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Drive equipment over septic tank and leach field?

4 years ago

We bought a house where the previous homeowner left behind a large amount of old appliances and construction debris down a hill behind my house that we just discovered two years later (larger property) due to overgrowth of that area, and now it's my responsibility to clean it up. The only way to practically get this volume of material from the back of the house to the front to put in a haul-away dumpster is to somehow haul it in a trailer. The problem is the only way from the back of the house to the front is through my lawn and over my septic tank and leach field.

The problem I'm trying to solve for is whether it's going to cause damage to my septic and leach field if I rent a small truck, piece of construction equiepment, or UTV (John Deere Gator, for example) with a small trailer to haul all this debris out. I was thinking that minimizing the weight of the vehicle + trailer + debris plus laying down plywood over the septic system may be a vialbe solution, but looking for alternate advice and validation.

Any advice?

Featured Answer

Seabornman

3 years ago

I drive over my concrete septic tank with a Gator all the time. I've even driven over it with a 5000 lb. tractor before I knew it was there. I don't think you'll have a problem over the leach field with a Gator and light trailer. I would not do it if soil is wet.

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Comments (6)

User
4 years ago
I think I'd consult an expert on this one rather than relying on any Internet advice. Depending on construction quality, local ordinances, and age of the system (including any weaknesses due to wear and previous accidents undisclosed), it would be difficult to impossible to tell you if any given strain would be tolerable.

Now if an expert gives you the green light in writing and that turns out to be false, you can go after them. Us? Not so much. And an expert is going to be cheaper than having to replace said system or perform extensive repairs on it.
krnuttle
4 years ago
Could you talk to the person who owns the property behind or beside yours and see if it was feasible to bring the trailer across his property..

If it is a mess, I am sure he would welcome the chance to get the eye sore out of his view. If he can see it then I am sure that it harbors all kinds of pest and small rodents.
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geezer88
4 years ago
Depending on how far down the hill, how big the junk is, you might pull stuff one piece at a time with a long rope. A heavy washing machine would pull pretty easy with a couple of big guys or a vehicle up on safe ground. Won't be a fast fix, but it won't endanger your septic system and it won't cost much.

tom
krnuttle
4 years ago
In most locations there are restrictions on where the septic tanks (Some time two; a digestion tank and a water tank) and the leach bed may be placed. Usually there are limitation as to how close to the lot line they things may be placed.

Can you get around the septic system by staying within on the lot line?
Red Silver
3 years ago
If the ground is DRY, it will probably not cause an issue, if the vehicle is not over loaded and plenty of wheels on the ground. If the soil is saturated, more risky. Such a dump, really should go back to the person who did it to resolve, including damages that might occur going up the hill...Good luck to you.

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