3pt hitch downward pressure?

[2001 JD4110]

I'm kinda new to it all but is there any downward pressure on a 3pt implement or do we rely on the weight of said implement? I guess I'm thinking for "diggin deeper" I need to get something for a new lawn/construction for sis, the yd.has sat thru winter so it's well packed(good) but needs loosening for any leveling/filling in and raking. I was thinking of renting an old 6' disc harrow, then buying or renting a backblade or boxblade for moving? Then raking. What do you guys think of my plan? Thanks:thumbsup:

 

[TripleR]

Just the weight of the implement. I use a box blade and tiller for what you mention. On compacted soil, you need a really heavy disk to accomplish much.

I believe Jenkisph has a lot of experience with this if he doesn't show up, you might contact him.

 

[2001 JD4110]

Thanks!

 

[gwdixon]

If the box blade has rippers then the weight of the implement is sufficient to drive the rippers into the soil - if at the right angle and the ground is a bit damp.

Multiple passes will get the ground chewed up enough to allow you to move the soil around to where you want. The box blade can be used for leveling if you get the angle just right.

Back dragging a FEL bucket can work well for leveling, too. Once again, it is the angle that makes the difference.

As you might infer, it takes experience to get things where you want them. The best thing to do is to go out and get the experience by doing.

 

[TripleR]

Many recommend using an herbicide to kill the existing grass and cut down on the clumps you have to deal with, I usually just mow it down as low as I can get it then work the heck out of it. For final leveling dragging something like chain link fence, tires etc. will help. Of course a dedicated drag works best, but they are expensive.

As gwdixon says, it takes experience and the good thing is if you mess it up, you can start all over again; done it plenty of times. Don't get discouraged when it doesn't work quite right the first or even second time. If I can ever get it just right the first time I am going to throw a party.

 

[RaydaKub]

Don't get discouraged when it doesn't work quite right the first or even second time. If I can ever get it just right the first time I am going to throw a party.

Hot ****! We'll all attend cuz it'll be the only one we ever get! :laughing:

 

[jenkinsph]

I would till it about four inches deep if the ground is fairly smooth or up to eight inches deep if I need to move lots of soil. I would then plane it smooth or use a blxblade to smooth. If I had to scrape deeply to get everything smooth I would then go back over everything with a tiller.

With the ground all tilled and smooth I would run either a spike tooth harrow, pine straw rake or chain link fence for a final finish. Broadcast the grass seed heavily and rake in preferably with a spike tooth harrow or pine needle rake. Make sure you go ver it enough to cover the majority of the seed. Last roll the surface with a water filled roller.

I generally water about 10 minutes every four hours for the first two weeks to get a good stand of seedlings. I will gradually increase the sprinkler run time while decreasing the watering frequency. After two months of growth I will water once every other day. After four months I water about once every four days for two hours sprinkler time. If you get a good rain you can delay the cycle.

I would also recommend starter fertilizer and Ironite be used when you plant. Get a soil analysis to determine what you really need to add.

I never heard an answer to the question as to whether this yard was covered with sand or not.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm kinda new to it all but is there any downward pressure on a 3pt implement or do we rely on the weight of said implement? I guess I'm thinking for "diggin deeper" I need to get something for a new lawn/construction for sis, the yd.has sat thru winter so it's well packed(good) but needs loosening for any leveling/filling in and raking. I was thinking of renting an old 6' disc harrow, then buying or renting a backblade or boxblade for moving? Then raking. What do you guys think of my plan? Thanks:thumbsup:

not just weight.. but the angle of attack will provide some 'vacume' to help ground engaging tools to bite.. etc.

down pressure on small/med/and small-large tractors is uncommon. counterproductive for the scut/cut's usually.. unweights the traction wheels..

 

[Mark Page]

The easiest way to loosen the soil down to 7 or 8 inches is a rotatiller. They weigh 400 or 500 lbs. and provide their own "down pressure". After you loosen things up a plain old scraper blade will do the job.

 

[2001 JD4110]

Hey Thanks for all the replies! I'm not sure what the soil is like and I don't think my sis would have a clue?