Moving the Earth, 5th Edition: The Workbook of Excavation [Hardcover]

Herbert Nichols (Author), David Day (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2005

Updated to reflect methods used according to current requirements and regulations. The first 11 chapters discuss the work itself and the basic ways to do it, the machines and operation techniques, the problems that arise, the application of different types of equipment, and costs and management. The next 10 chapters focus on the machines themselves and operating techniques. From site preparation to blasting and tunneling, pneumatic drills to the largest power shovels, it covers every step of every kind of excavating project and all the practical aspects of using the machines and vehicles involved. The 5th edition is being directed to include the latest in equipment and operating techniques and safety methods.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

150,000+ COPIES SOLD!

"The most comprehensive source of basic excavation information available." -- Construction Methods & Equipment

Since 1955, Moving the Earth has stood as the standard source of practical expertise for the excavation and construction industries. Geared to the needs of those who do the actual earthmoving, this is a book as massive as the tasks it details -- an all-encompassing guide that covers every aspect of site preparation and management, and that details every machine and vehicle needed to perform each task.

This fifth edition completely updates readers on the latest advances in equipment and operating techniques, as well as important new safety, regulatory, and environmental methods.

From clearing the land to tunneling beneath it ... from old-fashioned hand leveling to highly accurate laser alignment ... from freeing a tractor from the mud to basic bookkeeping to keep your costs from bogging down ... this book explains how to do it correctly and efficiently. For the small contractor, the supervisor, and the operator—as well as the engineer, the architect, the superintendent, and the student -- Moving the Earth is a professional accessory as indispensable as your hard hat.

THE WORK
• Land Clearing & Controls
• Surveys & Measurements
• Rock, Soil, & Mud
• Basements
• Ditching & Dewatering
• Ponds & Earth Dams
• Landscaping & Agricultural Grading
• Roadways
• Blasting & Tunneling
• Pit Operation
• Costs & Management

  THE MACHINES

• Basic Information
• Revolving Shovel & Excavators
• Conveyor Machinery
• Tractors & Bulldozers
• Front-End Loaders
• Scrapers & Trucks
• Grading & Compacting Machinery
• Compressors & Drills
• Auxiliary Equipment

CRITICS APPROVE
"The down-in-the-dirt standard work for the excavation industry." —- Military Engineer

"Helps solve the thousands of problems that face the earthmoving contractor. Complete, well-illustrated." -- Construction Equipment

About the Author

Herbert L. Nichols, Jr., has devoted most of his business and professional life to earth-moving and heavy equipment. A longtime private consultant, he owned his own excavation and grading business in Connecticut for many years. In addition to his widely translated benchmark work Moving the Earth, he is the author of Excavator Operation, Heavy Equipment Repair, and numerous other books and manuals in the field. He is a member of the American Association of Cost Engineers, the American Institute of Mining Engineers, and the American Welding Society. He lives in Roswell, Georgia.

David A. Day, P.E., is a consultant with ABCO Engineering Corporation, with nearly 50 years of experience in civil engineering and construction. A graduate of Cornell University and the University of Illinois with a master's degree in construction and structures, he is the author of Construction Equipment Guide. Mr. Day is also a Life Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, where he helped start the annual Underground Technology Conference (UTC), and a Life Member of the National Society of Professional Engineers. He lives in Centennial, Colorado.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1296 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 5 edition (March 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007143058X
• ISBN-13: 978-0071430586
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #954,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone in excavation!, October 27, 1999

By 

Jason A. Stubler (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moving the Earth: The Workbook of Excavation (Hardcover)

Moving the Earth starts with descriptive details on land clearing, surveying, properties of rock, soil, mud, different methods to digging basements, ditching and dewatering, lanscaping, roads, blasting, tunneling, and pit operations. Each method goes into great detail on how the work is performed and how the work is recommended to be done. Chapter 11 goes through the costs and management of excavation. The last half of the book goes through all of the machines used in excavation today.

I recommend this book to anyone involved in excavation.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent basic reference, September 5, 2004

By 

M. Miller "avid reader" (eastern Montana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moving the Earth: The Workbook of Excavation (Hardcover)

I ordered the latest edition of this book for my husband, who had spent hours studying the previous one. Whether you're operating a dozer or an excavator, or even a Bobcat; transplanting trees, landscaping, making stock ponds or building roads... this is a valuable reference.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A excellent resource for a construction manager, April 12, 2008

By 

J. F. Mccarthy "Pareto - Building Improvement" (WESTCHESTER, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moving the Earth, 5th Edition: The Workbook of Excavation (Hardcover)

Although this book is intended and best suited for those working full time in excavation, it is also a useful reference for the construction manager/general contractor.

The treatment of excavation methods seen from the viewpoint of those actually doing the work provided additional information and insight for those managing the whole project. The explantions were both detailed and practical, and the pictures and diagrams were helpful. Although the later sections on equipment problably will not be useful to me, I could not help reading them.

A valuable addition to my reference library.

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