Grading What to Rent?

[tcnjdeluca]

So I am going to rent a tractor for two small projects.

1. Move some topsoil and gravel in place.

2. Finish up some light grading. I had a plot of land that was overgrown with small to medium sized saplings. I had those mowed down then a dozer came in with a root rake and cleared out much of the root systems. Now I have loose dirt that still has some small roots sticking out. My idea was to hit it with a box scrapper with just the scrapers down to cut up those roots then grade it.

I do have a grader blade and access to an old disk harrow.

I have called around and found the following options from two different dealers.

Option A 45 Hp tractor with loader and box blade delivered -- $550

Option B 45 - 73 HP tractor with loader and landscape rake -- $450 or I can skip the landscape rake for 60 less. (they won't rent a box blade)

Do you think its worth the $100 to get the box blade? $550 seems a lot, I am partially paying just to try out a larger tractor see if its worth the investment in the future. I can hire a tractor and operator for just over $600. Any thoughts?

 

[PILOON]

The size of lot would help with recommendations as would the type of soil..
Even my 20 HP can do all that you describe but bigger might be faster if there are no obstructions.
Smaller is more agile.
As an example with my 20 HP (gear drive) I can move place and grade a 16 ton load of crushed stone any time. I have a FEL and plain back blade.
As to grading, a back blade will help place stock but nice finish takes some skill.
Often best to back grade with the FEL by dragging it backwards with the bucket slightly tilted.
Your available disk harrow would help break up clumps and repeated passes will result in a decent finish.
You could rig up a drag made from old woven wire fencing (say 6' x 6' or 8 x 8) for a 'raked' type of finish. Such a drag should have all the loose twigs etc on the surface ready for easy collection.
I have often placed and graded loads of topsoil with my small CUT that a bigger (45hp+) would not be able to do, either due to weight and or agility.

Have fun.

 

[tcnjdeluca]

The topsoil and gravel are for some raised beds, not related to the cleanup/grading.

The area I am looking to clean up is 1-2 acres. The soil is pretty heavy but not clay. I have a 20 HP light tractor (Kubota B6100 2wd) when I tried to run over the area with a back blade it would go 5 feet then get hung up on a little root and the wheels would spin. I don't need a perfect grade, but breaking up the remaining roots and some smoothing would be a big improvement.

 

[JohninCT]

I'd recommend the tractor with the landscape rake. You say that you have access to a disk and you should use that. Use the rake to gather up debris. Use your back blade to cut down any high spots. If you were so inclined you could make a pair of bolt on wings for the blade that would let it carry dirt more like a box blade.

 

[tcnjdeluca]

Thanks, I am leaning this way. I just hope I can get through the roots without having to cut everyone by hand.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Thanks, I am leaning this way. I just hope I can get through the roots without having to cut everyone by hand.

Use a tiller behind your 20 hp tractor,it will also smooth out at same time or make it easy for you to do with blade....
I only suggest this cause you say the roots are small,you can also turn the tiller off and it will drag some dirt to a low spot if its close,if not thats were boxblade will come in handy. Root rakes are nice to,will pick up limbs/loose roots nicely without all the dirt,but if you have went threw and picked up the bigger ones tiller will just till them under or cut them up,depending on your speed..

 

[Mark Page]

Hire the guy with the tractor and forget about it.

 

[tcnjdeluca]

Yeah I realize that makes the most sense really. However since there is little damage I could do I am using this as an opportunity to see what the capabilities of a bigger machine are and if I need them. I could probably prep the land for free with a good pair of bypass loppers, a rake and a crapload of time.

 

[herefromthere]

As someone who does not have a tractor yet, I'd look at this project from a standpoint of, "Which machine do I think I might want to buy in the future?" and use the project as an opportunity for an extended test drive. Of course this assumes that you rent the appropriate equipment for the task, and that's something other posters above have covered.

 

[AKfish]

Well... is this a question of "saving money" or "testing equipment"? 'Cause if you're testing equipment - you're not really saving money...

With only 1-2 acres a 20hp tractor is enough machine for the amount of work. Either a 45hp or a 73hp tractor are both "over the top"!

IMO - disk the crap outta those roots and the highs and lows will tend to level out. Then rototill everything. That will further break up any woody debris as well as smooth things out. Rake if necessary. Depending upon the amount of material (if alot, the tiller won't bury it all) you might need to rake and burn or bury the remaining material.

AKfish