Advice on smoothing, leveling a field

[Number15]

I have a big field I want to keep mowed. Not feeling super good on the tractor doing it. It is rutted and wavy and has some pretty severe slopes. I feel nervous on the tractor at times as I go 20 degrees sometimes more. A good bit of it is at 15 degrees. But it is the ruts and wavyness that makes it scary.

I would like to smooth it out. I know getting it level is a dream that won't be realized, but if I can get it less bumpy I think I can handle it. Sometimes I feel like the tractor is the wrong tool for the job, but it's what I have.

I am willing to spend money to get it done. I am willing to truck in dirt if I have to. I might even get a professional, but I prefer to do it myself.

Pictures are hard to see the issues but here are some, it's the area past the fence

 

[chris.benjamin1]

That is a large area. Trucking in dirt to fill ruts not practical Need a large drag / disc box blade etc to scrape and fill

 

[jaxs]

It is easy to create erosion with that much slope. I get the the feeling you should hire a pro to smooth and terrace the field.

 

[Number15]

I have a pro coming to look at it and give a quote. BUT, I am retired and like to learn stuff. I would prefer to try and learn how to do it and maybe I can tackle some other areas I have that are similar. I have a good chunk of property that need attention, or it has to go back to nature

 

[Egon]

Cultivate and then drag from all angles till it’s smooth. Then replant.

 

[AWSubie]

I’d start out spending the money for a six foot box blade then try doing one acre at a time. The technique is to drive figure-eights within the chosen acre, pivoting the figure-eight about the center of acre. If u feel you’re making progress and get the hang of it; continue on to the next acre. If u can’t quite grasp the skills, sell the box blade and call in a professional.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a big field.........

How many acres is big to you?

T-B-N ARCHIVE: smoothing a sloped field site:tractorbynet.com


Sometimes I feel a tractor is the wrong tool for the job.

Plowing and smoothing fields are what tractors are designed to do. Operating experience is important too.

1. Mow field as short as possible. Scalp.

2. When soil is moist, use a Tandem Disc Harrow with 22" diameter pans, 72" wide, set aggressively, to till soil to the bottom of ruts/holes. Repeat in different directions at least twice.

3. Adjust Disc Harrow to less aggressive set. Till once.

4. Adjust Disc Harrow to less aggressive set. Till one or two final times.

5. Drag if you want the field smoother. I recommend a Chain Harrow to drag 60 acres, not an improvised drag.

Grass may regenerate. You may need to overseed.

ADJUSTING Three Point Hitch Mounted TANDEM DISC HARROWS

If you are considering the acquisition of a Disc Harrow, first read this LINK covering Disc Harrow selection: LINK: Disc Harrow Selection For 18-45 Horsepower Tractors (Revision 2b) The Three Point Hitch mounted Tandem Disc Harrow is a secondary tillage implement. The Disc Harrow is a...

www.tractorbynet.com

Chain Harrow videos: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Tractor+TPH+Chain+Harrow

 

[jeff9366]

Branson 5520C Dimensions​

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase​	71.1 in (1,806 mm)
Overall Length (W/ 3PT)​	127.4 in (3,236 mm)
Min.Overall Width​	64.9 in (1,650 mm)
Overall Height (W/ ROPS)​	97 in (2,463 mm)
Ground Clearance (4WD)​	15.5 in (394 mm)
Min.Turning Radius (W/ Brake)​	9.18 ift (2.8 m)
Weight (W/O Front Weights)​	4,349 (1,973 kg)

Sufficient tractor to pull effective ground contact implements.​

 

[3Ts]

I had the same issue as you. I did similar to what Jeff suggested, but I rototilled my area multiple times and in different directions. Then I compacted it a little (took my lightest tractor and drove back and forth over the whole thing - I don't have a roller) Then I drug it with a 6' concrete beam that I made. Then water it.

If you don't till it too much the grass will regrow, otherwise you'll have to seed it.

 

[Number15]

Sometimes I feel a tractor is the wrong tool for the job.

How many acres is big to you?

I have about 60 in that front area. Some of it has trees/woods, but a large portion is either grass that you see or many acres of blackberrys, which I happily mow down if I can.


I had said that because I am getting in situations where I am not comfortable with the way the tractor is leaning. The slopes on the end are to steep my lev o gauge is at 20 degrees lean and 15 tilt.

I am having the tires put at their widest and getting beet juice or something in the tires