more leveling ?'s

   / more leveling ?'s #1  

BrettW

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Apr 12, 2002
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now in S.C.!!
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Yanmar FF205D
more leveling ?\'s

Guys, if you have a 75% grassy field that you are building a house on and would like to level out the field to yard status, do you have to kill off the existing grass? or just hit the high spots and add soil to the construction ruts. I'm talking 2 acres here, thanks, bw ps dont own box blade or rake or blade and really will only need them for this one job. (i think)
 
   / more leveling ?'s #2  
Re: more leveling ?\'s

If you think you'll only need them for this job and have never used one before here are your best options as I see them. You can rent what you need and pay to learn how to use them on your own yard or just hire it done by a professional so you'll know it's done right.

I had some levelling I wanted done and was going to rent a dozer to do it. I got a great price on a D3 of $350 for the weekend and only $50 transportation for a $400 total. Of course, it would be a learning curve thing for me but I was willing to do that.

Then, just for the heck of it, I asked a friend of a friend about coming out with his equipment and doing it. He looked at what I wanted done and offered me a D4 and experienced operator @ $50/hour. He estimated around 8 hours for the work with a maximum of 10.

While, in theory, I could get three times the hours out of the rental for the $400, I opted for the guy who knows what he's doing. I'm sure he's at least three times as efficient as I would be my first time out and it'll be done right. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 
   / more leveling ?'s #3  
Re: more leveling ?\'s

It really kinda depends on what quality of lawn you are looking for. I have a 4 acre lawn and I scraped off the high areas and filled in the low areas and then planted grass. It worked to my satisfaction and I have a nice functional lawn, but it is not like a golf course. I have found its almost impossible to get a really smooth picture perfect lawn unless you rip all the existing sod, till it, blade it, plant the seed and roll it. For most folks, me included, this is too much work. Good luck on your new house and lawn.
 
   / more leveling ?'s #4  
Re: more leveling ?\'s

I agree with AZM. Ball field flat is all but impossible to achieve without tilling in your existing sod and starting all over with discs, rakes, transits, seeders and rollers. The main advantage is that w/out all the grass you can see the actual ground. If you leave the grass in place trying to fill in low spots and scalp off the high spots will be a little frustrating. When you think you're done you'll find other areas that need treatment. But that all just equals more seat time. Box blades aren't expensive and you will find other things that you can do with it. If you find that it's just taking up space in 3 years you can allways sell one for $200 -$300 in good shape. A landscape rake will be handy as well especially if you're giong to bring in top soil to cover the construction ground before putting down sod or seed. All this said, unless you live in the deep south you have missed your window of activity for this type of work, Oh well, spring time is better for grass projects anyway!
 
   / more leveling ?'s #5  
Re: more leveling ?\'s

dont own box blade or rake or blade and really will only need them for this one job. (i think)

2 acres is a lot to maintain with a lawn mower, I would suggest a small compact tractor and tools that you need for this project and rest assured the honeydo projects will be never ending and therefore make the purchase viable over the long run. Projects, like Gardens,decrotive ponds,flowerbeds,landscaping,fencing and driveway upkeep, sure keeps my little Kioti busy in the hours I have away from the business and has became a pastime that I have grown to enjoy.
 
 
 
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