Moving the Earth: The Workbook of Excavation [Hardcover]

Herbert L. Nichols (Author), David A. Day (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1998

This groundbreaking new edition of the classic guide to heavy excavation projects and equipment provides the latest, most comprehensive guidance in the field. 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. This first major revision in 20 years features insight into the latest general construction technology and methods, updated material on the costs and management of excavation projects, and an abundance of new clarifying photos. As easy to read as it is expansive in scope, the new edition is indispensable "heavy equipment" for every professional involved in excavation and construction.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"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 know-how for the excavation and construction industries. Geared to the needs of the men and women who do the actual earthmoving, this is a book as massive as the tasks they perform -- 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 edition--the first in twenty years--completely updates all the information to cover the latest advances in equipment and operating techniques, as well as important safety and environmental issues. 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 foreman, 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 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.

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 member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the National Academy of Forensic Engineers.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1400 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 4 edition (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070464847
• ISBN-13: 978-0070464841
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.6 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,016,800 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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