Best tools to level sifted topsoil for nice yard

TractorDale · Feb 26, 2007

I had another idea-assuming I get a rear blade (prob something like a woods 84"). Stretch a level, very thin cable along the strip to be flatened which would be one limb of an battery electric circuit. The cable would register between two wide electric contacts mounted on the rake separated by an inch or so, each closing a circuit to a different light bulb temporalily mounted on the dash. A lit bulb would indicate the need to either raise or lower the rake a bit. Slow going probably but theoretically each pass would be the final for that strip (total 10-12 strips of 7' wide each.

Will simply try the rake with a wheel/skid shoes first. I guess irrigation plumbing should go in after the area is finished.

Dale

dqdave1 · Feb 26, 2007

You are correct; finish grade area; then install irragation lines and any other needed electric lines ( low voltage ).

One note; As you said in first post; you are leveling screened topsoil. The rake works the best for this. If you were leveling existing ground or unscreened dirt a box blade or rear blade works well. I always finish with a rake.
It takes practice to adjust the rake properly; but you will get the feel of how you are doing.

kwolfe · Feb 26, 2007

Finally something I have experience in first hand. I bought a 5ft rear blade to regrade and level about 1/2 acre behind my house. I did not like the way it worked. Having gauge wheels would have helped a lot. I then purchased a 4ft box blade. What a difference it made in my case. I have a lot of clay that need to be worked a bit before I could effectively spread it. The rippers of on the BB did the trick. Then I lowered it about level and started driving in circles and figures 8s. With a little patience, it did the trick. The other bonus to the BB was it was heavier than my blade. This made the implement more efffective for knocking off high spots.