Backhoe vs. House-- Who wins? http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094 Gene Marlow I need to know how tall a backhoe is in comparison to a standard two story house. How much damage could the back hoe do? I'm certain that it should be able to take out a wall, but could it reach the roof? Obviously I don't want anyone testing this out (on their house or a neighbors'), but if I could just get how much damage would be done that would be great. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:39:12 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1129412 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1129412 lasalle202 if you take out the walls, what do you think happens to the roof? Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:13:57 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1129480 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1129480 Gene Marlow That's true, but would taking out one corner be enough to collapse the roof on that side? Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:17:07 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1129484 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1129484 Typing Chimp Honestly depends on how well built the house being attacked by a backhoe is beforehand. My neighbors house met it's fate recently at the bucket of a tracked backhoe, good size machine. The house was built in the 40/50s. The house did not want to die. Flooded, caught fire and attacked by a backhoe, it took half a day to knock down because the old hardwood frame was a lot more sound than anyone had guessed. Basically they took out the center of the back wall and kept folding the house in on itself with each bite taken out of structure. It was done on purpose so that the house didn't fall on the house on either side. There is a narrow walk between them, so it was a surgical procedure to take it down. From what I saw, it seems like a job that required a fair bit of skill. TC Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:45:04 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1129523 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1129523 Gene Marlow Okay. That's plenty of information. Thanks. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:52:52 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1129537 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1129537 Typing Chimp Evga Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:39:53 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1131845 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1131845 Dragonchilde Watch some Extreme Makeover Home Edition reruns. Backhoes have no problems with two story houses. Houses aren't built to withstand that kind of force. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:22:44 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1136513 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1136513 lasalle202 With an experienced backhoe driver. Inexperienced <strong>drivers</strong>, on the other hand, might easily end up being the losers! Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:58:09 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1136596 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1136596 Typing Chimp [quote=Typing Chimp] Evga [/quote] Please ignore the failed attempt at a quick search turned rogue post. /facepalm TC Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:57:54 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1141560 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reference-desk/threads/50094?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1141560