Advice on How to reduce slope on dirt roads

[katyhorn]

Hello All,

I just bought a Bx2680. My first urgent project is to reduce the slope on a dirt road/trail that runs from the front of my 11 acre property down to the river. There are two drops. The first one is about 30ft drop and the second about 20ft. The slope on both is very high. Eventually, I want regular 2WD SUVs and golf carts to be able to easily go up and down. Right now, my KIA 2WD SUV barely makes it up either slope. I want to start using the front loader to start shaving the dirt in the steep sections and reduce overall slope. I'm thinking around a 25 degree slope might do the trick. It is all dirt and not too hard so I'm hoping the front loader does the trick. My question is: Do I need to get the front loader blades even for pushing just dirt? ARe the other tricks or other attachments I need? Thanks!

 

[FTG-05]

[insert "this thread is worthless without pics" .gif]

 

[/pine]

Switchbacks if there is enough room...if not "cut and fill" (and lengthen) with storm water management is about the only way...

Good Luck...

 

[rgr33]

Erosion should be a major concern here once you start digging into the topsoil.

 

[Diggin It]

Hello All,

I just bought a Bx2680.

I want to start using the front loader to start shaving the dirt ... My question is: Do I need to get the front loader blades even for pushing just dirt?

ARe the other tricks or other attachments I need? Thanks!

Rule #1. Loaders are loaders, not dozers. They are for moving loose material, not digging hardpack.

Yes, you need another tool. It's called a bulldozer.

 

[jaxs]

I suggest hiring an excuvator that know's the best way and has right equipment to get it done. Even if you managed to move enough dirt,the BX2680 isn't heavy enough to walk it down like the dozer will.

 

[BrokenTrack]

I have used a loader before on a small 27 hp Kubota to build a road.

i did have a land plow on it though, and cut the soil with that, then moved the loosened dirt with the loader, and then loosened it again with the plow, and moved the soil again with the loader.

In that way i was loosening the soil like a bulldozer uses a ripper on the back.

I am not sure if a $700 single bottom plow is to much for you or not, but the technique worked well.

 

[katyhorn]

Thanks all for the advice. I appreciate the advice to hire a bulldozer, but I am a weekend rancher wannabe, kind of like Green Acres, and it would defeat the purpose of me wanting to do these type of projects. I have all the time in the world to do it, so don't mind if it takes a while, as working on my weekend property on weekends is my hobby. (during the week, I'm in an office environment mostly all day) I like the idea of getting an implement to loosen the dirt first. Why do folks put blades on the front loader for then? Thanks!

 

[Henro]

Thanks all for the advice. I appreciate the advice to hire a bulldozer, but I am a weekend rancher wannabe, kind of like Green Acres, and it would defeat the purpose of me wanting to do these type of projects. I have all the time in the world to do it, so don't mind if it takes a while, as working on my weekend property on weekends is my hobby. (during the week, I'm in an office environment mostly all day) I like the idea of getting an implement to loosen the dirt first. Why do folks put blades on the front loader for then? Thanks!

Surprised no one mentioned a box blade. Since you already have a road, perhaps you could use a box blade to change the angle. Use what comes off the top end to build up the lower part.

Top and tilt hydraulics would be very useful though. But probably not a game changer.

 

[dougtrr2]

If you don't have one, a tooth bar for your loader would probably be a good investment. As stated erosion will be an issue. If you move too much dirt at a time traction could be an issue, not the breaking out of the dirt, but driving over the loose fill. Have you envisioned how deep you will have to go to get enough dirt to reduce the steep parts? It might be worth buying a couple loads of dirt to help fill in the areas. You might even want to stretch a string line between a couple points to see just how much fill you are talking about.

Doug in SW IA