How to spread topsoil / compost

[GaryLock]

I've been trying to search this out on my own, but to no avail. I am looking to find out how to spread topsoil over two different 1/3 acre lawns. I am guessing that I will not be able to use a tow behind drop or broadcast spreader, due to the moisture content of the mixture being spread. Is this correct? I was looking at a PTO 3pt Landpride spreader, but again, they only spec out for fertilizer and seeds, and some salt. Never mention topsoil. Has anyone ever tried with a spreader and had good luck? I see the huge spreaders built for topsoils online, but haven't found any rentals of these in my area at all. Just looking for suggestions. Thanks so much. Just trying to avoid a shovel and rake if I can. 'Tis a killer on the old back.

 

[davesl708]

I had to till 1/4 of lawn and level it out. I used the FEL to dump and partial spread filler soil then used a drag harrow turned upside down to level and finish it off.

 

[GaryLock]

I was trying to figure out if I could use a drag device, but without destroying the lawn that I have in place now. I live on a sandpit, so I am trying to add soil into the lawn every year to bring it up to a good level for holding moisture. Sometimes, I will make a dust cloud that I can't see through in parts of my lawn. And I have too much into this one already to start over. It is coming along, but just needs some more soil. Thanks for the reply.

 

[RobS]

Years ago, I think on "This Old House" I saw a spreader for peat that was interesting. Imagine a lawn roller but instead of solid steel for the drum it was expanded metal. It had a hinged hatch for loading then rolled along the lawn. Seemed to do a decent job but I'm sure it will be totally dependent on your top soil conditions.

 

[Budweiser John]

May be a manure spreader?

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think trying to add top soil to an existing lawn without damaging it is a waste of time. The top soil needs to be tilled into the sandy soil to make an aggregate base rather than just a thin layer on top. You couldn't put more than about 1/4" at a time without killing off some of the grass even if it were spread exact.

I think you would be better served to just load on the top soil, spreading it with a boxblade and FEL as needed and then mix it all up with a tiller then re-seed or re-sod as required. Some of your existing grass may come back out after the filling, tilling and leveling of the lawn if you keep it watered well which you would need to do anyway after re-seeding.

I think you will find this the best way(cheapest too) to do it rather than dragging it out over several years with just a sprinkle of top soil each year.

 

[oldnslo]

If this is on an existing lawn how critical is the depth of spread before you smother the existing grass? How many yards of dirt are you spreading?

 

[jeff9366]

Perhaps a lawn thatch removing implement or similar pine straw rake. Tines on the CMP thatch remover are stiffer/more resistant than tines on a pine straw rake.

CMP LINK: CMP ATTACHMENTS, llc

 

[powerscol]

What I did was place piles with the FEL, then use my box blade, set the depth I wanted the compost placed at and went through and spread the piles. To set the depth I used 2x4's placed sideways and lowered the 3pt until the box blade touched and then locked the 3pt. Worked pretty well.

Last operation was a drag harrow as others have suggested. I also seeded at the stage to improve the pasture too. Worked well.

 

[Industrial Toys]

That's why golf courses use top dressers. A very expensive outfit. I like the manure spreader idea, but that is some pretty big, ground destroying equipment. And the little ones are micky mouse and too expensive for what you are getting. Maybe back dragging a spring toothed landscape rake would work.