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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    These are some pics from today. Just started putting the dock together - going to try to make some more progress on that tomorrow.. I’ll pay damn near as much for that dock, as I did for fuel to dig this damn hole!
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    No permits needed to stock common species here. In fact, the only permit I've needed through this whole process is a building permit to move the dirt. Don't even need a permit to build a lake in Indiana if it's under 5 acres in surface area, and under 20' high dam. Indiana is pretty relaxed...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    I think I landed around $5k in fuel total, so around 1,300 gallons I think, and that included carrying about 100 bucket loads of old coal shale uphill 100 yards, away from the lake - several hundred gallons in itself. Everyone’s guesses were pretty spot-on - I used around 6 gallons per hour / 60...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    Thanks all! And big thanks to everyone here who helped out, lent advice, or encouraged me. Couldn’t have done it without your help. Thanks! Just using the tools we had - and I had plenty of straw available! Had to plant that grass twice though.. Few weeks after it came up, the damn army worms...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    Just wanted to give everyone an update on this lake build.. Lake is done! Grass planted. Concrete columns poured for the dock. And we’re filling up with water, fast! So-far, seems to be holding everything in! I’m so excited to swim and start stocking it this summer!
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    Things have really been shaping up here, and we’re in the final stages of putting this thing together! I’ve had some great help from friends and family the last couple weekends, and we’re putting the finishing touches on this lake. Check out the video for current progress. Can’t believe how...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    I’ve been packing it with the backhoe. You’re correct - this is an unpacked layer, and it’s very dry. The rain helped get some moisture back into things, and I’ll pack it with the backhoe / track loader before another layer. I was pushing dirt along the top today, out to the middle, so the...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    We got a little rain this morning. I realize this is no real indicator of whether this thing will actually hold water when it’s full, but I don’t mind a good omen.. Water held there all day!
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    Progress report for today: I ran out of usable dirt last night in the area I had cleared, so had to go on a dirt hunt today.. My cousin came out with his Mini and started clearing trees for me, while I started putting the rocky, sandy material available on the back side of the dam. I’m still...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    You can see here the loader has an additional opening in the side of the track frame, where the track frame mounts to the arm going to the frame of the machine on the back side. It also supports the rod to the front idler, and has grease zerks on it. He took the cap off that, pulled the bulkhead...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    He said he got the bulkhead out, but the tensioner wouldn’t slide past the frame mount. Excuse my terminology, I don’t know exactly what it’s called. The track on this machine seems to be different than is in the manual. I’ll grab a pic here shortly and explain better..
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    Quick Update: I decided I and my toolbox weren’t up to the task above. I have most the backhoe tools I need, but I had no way to break any of those big bolts on the bulkhead or front idler loose. So I found a local guy who came out and used the manual above to work on it.. Turns out, the manual...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    Serial # is 06Z01395 I called the local CAT shop, and they sent me the parts explosion below: I believe I'm probably looking at the top left section, items 1,2,12,13. Not sure what item 3 is? Also, it's not clear to me what that sectoin on the bottom is? I'll get home and start tearing...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    Is the machine I have, going to be same setup as I see in this video? Y'all think I can get it done without splitting the track? Seemed like the puddle of grease was back below where the cylinder comes out of the housing, but maybe I didn't look closely enough - maybe it's coming from...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    I’ve been making good progress on the dam! But will be down for repairs for a bit here. More on that in a minute.. Here’s the progress as of this weekend. I’ve got both ends of the dam built up to height, nearly about as far as I can go without closing the creek in. I did have to re-dig...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    Yes, this is the main reason I entertained that overflow style. But the cost is prohibitive.. Do you use PVC? Someone here said they use double wall corrugated for under-water vertical pipe?
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    Making progress out here! Got the keyway all in, and started moving dirt. Just working on the high ends of the dam first, I’ll get as much done there as I can before I close the ditch in and have to really go for it. Machine is running great! Track tensioner I was worried about is holding...
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    CAT 963 - Right Machine?

    Thanks! I’m afraid it’s different than this diagram. No worries though. I’m picked up a high-grip grease gun tip, and it took grease and tightened right up! Raining today, so we’ll have to wait to see if it’s going to hold tension.
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