The Orange Fence Around Construction

[KOB]

Yes, this is a reason to "grow a set" and not ask silly questions. Because, sure, perhaps it probably never crossed their mind, nor would they have cared or noticed. But they pass out the obligatory "no" to your 'pressing question". And then the mind-games start : Now you simply can't just go anyhow. Because, gee, you just got a "no". OR IF YOU DID simply just come back after 6pm, then guess what ? Now you feel 3x as awkward . You will not feel comfortable.

Thus yes: Just grow a set, and go look for your dad's boyscout ring after 6pm. Why make it difficult ?

Great response here Tom. This should be used in all your permission chats , rather than a dragged out book ! The only problem is many people do this in their daily life for everything when they know they are wrong. But for detecting , go for it !

 

[jordanmills]

I also wonder...where do they take those big piles of dirt to dispose of it? Treasure could be transplanted elsewhere in strange places if it is used as fill dirt. Maybe I'll catch someone working at this construction and ask the question about where those piles are taken, for future reference. And maybe I'll just not "stir the pot."

It usually just goes to the closest available trash dump.

 

[jimther]

Have you thought of asking the construction guys where they hauled off the excavated soil to? Won’t hurt to ask

 

[Tom_in_CA]

It usually just goes to the closest available trash dump.

In my line-of-work, I deal with dirt-spoils like this, in-regards to construction sites (I'm in the street sweeper business). And here's the way it works .... at least in the part of the USA I'm at :

If it's the grass surface top layer, then yes, that would go to a landfill. Where the contractor might have to pay-by-the-ton, for dumping costs. But if it's the dirt levels/layers BELOW that, then typically they have "clean-fill" sites, that are accepting dirt for free.

Ie.: Perhaps while this job is looking TO GET RID of dirt, yet another site is looking to ACCEPT dirt (because they're filling in a gully or whatever).

The reason fluffly grass and roots and sticks (top level ) stuff is not mixed with the clean fill dirt, is that it would no longer be defined as "clean fill". Since it's got vegetation (grass) in it, it doesn't have the right compaction properties.

For this reason, whenever turf is going to be scraped off for any sort of old town project, there will first be a "grubbing " phase. That's where the tractor blade only skims off just the top inch or two. Just down to the grass roots layer. And THEN they will do whatever scraping more is needed for whatever their project is. So that the spoils piles are kept separate.

It can be confusing when you're looking at a scrape that's only been done to the "grubbing" phase. Because at first blush you might think "BINGO ! A SCRAPE". When in actually they haven't even gone deep enough to rid the place of zinc and clad. But you can usually evaluate the depth of scrape by looking at surrounding fixed objects. Eg.: Sidewalks, etc....

 

[GLASSHOPPER1955]

Great advise, Tom!

 

[atomicbrh]

I went back today and they had all of the dirt cleared out but the two bobcats and new playground stuff was unboxed. I was able to find two dark stained Mercs(43 & 44), and a 1916 Barber dime. All were found in less than 1/2 inch and more shallow. I figure all those big piles of dirt and old saw dust which was hauled off, was rich in more finds, Oh well, at least I got in there. Thanks for the help.

Oh, the pic of the playground shows a dirt ramp the bobcats used to carry the dug stuff over the cement boundary and that is where I found the cleaner looking Barber dime. Imagine the treasure in three shoulder high heaps that got hauled away. :-(

So there truly was a very narrow window of opportunity.
Glad you jumped on that site immediately.
Those are excellent finds.

 

[jordanmills]

In my line-of-work, I deal with dirt-spoils like this, in-regards to construction sites (I'm in the street sweeper business). And here's the way it works .... at least in the part of the USA I'm at :

If it's the grass surface top layer, then yes, that would go to a landfill. Where the contractor might have to pay-by-the-ton, for dumping costs. But if it's the dirt levels/layers BELOW that, then typically they have "clean-fill" sites, that are accepting dirt for free.

Ie.: Perhaps while this job is looking TO GET RID of dirt, yet another site is looking to ACCEPT dirt (because they're filling in a gully or whatever).

The reason fluffly grass and roots and sticks (top level ) stuff is not mixed with the clean fill dirt, is that it would no longer be defined as "clean fill". Since it's got vegetation (grass) in it, it doesn't have the right compaction properties.

Yeah that's how it's done here too, assuming they can find a site that needs clean fill dirt that isn't much farther than the dump. When I was a kid we'd want to fill low spots and put up a "clean fill dirt wanted" sign. Worked well enough until some joker decided his rebar/rip-rap/dirt mix was clean and dumped a dozen loads of it out front while nobody was home.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

.... Worked well enough until some joker decided his rebar/rip-rap/dirt mix was clean and dumped a dozen loads of it out front while nobody was home.

Yes, I had to chuckle when I read this. Because it is the constant risk of people/sites that "need fill dirt". Because you can only imagine that the persons who want to GET RID OF fill-dirt, will no-doubt be "pushing the envelope" to dump as much stuff as free-as-possible.

So I have seen where, when "grubbing " is done (supposed to remove the grass down to the roots), that the contractor will ....... uh .... "not try too hard" to removing the grass. Ie.: skim as LITTLE as possible. Because he knows full well that the less he off-hauls via the dump (ie.: have-to-pay), THE BETTER. And the more he can dump for free, THE BETTER.

And let's be dreadfully honest : When you get a little bit of roots, leaves, grass, etc..... in a giant mountain of dirt, it's hard-to-spot.

Thus it's a constant cat & mouse game, for sure.

 

[Beachhunt1]

Removed/disturbed dirt, orange fence= Detect me now.

 

[Martin_V3i]

Well I went back and did another quick hunt today, with my Explorer SE Pro for a fast hunt on the smaller dirt piles. The SE is "king" in silver with depth so the piles got my interest. I will be danged if I didn't find one more Mercury dime, another 1941.

That is surely my last hunt unless they expand renovations elsewhere.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I never argue with a merc. dime

 

[925Bill]

When you see an opportunity..take it. Cheers!

Bill