Best way to level a large area?

[JeepHead]

So help me out guys. I have a pool to finish installing that I never got completed last year and the miss is on me to get it finished this year. The pool itself measures 21’x43’ and need about 3' outside of that, and it needs to be leveled within +-1”. I have cut down into the ground about 30” but I still am not within this 1” requirement and having a hard time getting this large area leveled. So tell me all the clever ways you all would use to level out this large area. I am a one man show for the most part.

 

[old and tired]

Use the dirt behind the tractor to raise up the low sections, compact it in small lifts. Do you have a laser level?

 

[JeepHead]

Use the dirt behind the tractor to raise up the low sections, compact it in small lifts. Do you have a laser level?

Yeah I do have a laser level. Maybe building up instead of cutting down is the better way. I am all ears for sure.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Need to establish the desired elevation you're trying to achieve and then work in both directions toward that point. What if you get this area leveled and then realize you're several inches or a foot below where you'd actually like the pool elevataion?

 

[JeepHead]

Need to establish the desired elevation you're trying to achieve and then work in both directions toward that point. What if you get this area leveled and then realize you're several inches or a foot below where you'd actually like the pool elevataion?

That's not an issue, I am not trying to achieve a certain height above the ground. At least not enough that a foot either way will matter much. I have it leveled really close now but having a very hard time getting it within an inch. I am thinking there is no other way than using a shovel.

 

[CalG]

I have set grade pegs on the few pads I have worked. Usually about 6-8 foot grid. They limit the movement of the tractor, but seem to allow "cut and fill" operations to get along more quickly.

 

[Carl_NH]

Agree with CalG - set some 24" long grade stakes around the 24x48 area every 12' max, then several down the center of area - then a lobster claw rubber band (colored rubber band) around the post.

Using the line level and a 14 straight edge like a 1x4 you should be able to determine your high points and get it close.

Using sand is easier once you get it close then tamping will change it too.

 

[JeepHead]

I like the grade marker idea really well. I had used paint to mark the grade after shooting with the laser but that quickly wore off and found myself constantly re-shooting. Once I get it level, I then have 16 "L" shaped posts (8 on each side), and the foot of each post which is about 36" long and 2" thick, have to be recessed under the surface. So I then have to dig and level each one of those. This all has been a nightmare for one guy to do.

 

[2manyrocks]

I think it is hard to grade to within an inch. They used to make aluminum rakes that were 3 or 4 feet wide. That might be an option to get the soil leveled to final grade by hand. Not being compacted, it may settle.

 

[chim]

Disclaimer: Never did one.
I thought most above ground pools were built on a sand base. If that's the case, I'd make sure the remaining high point was at least an inch or two below the desired finished elevation. Then I'd set up screeds, bring in the sand and screed it off. With the screeds set parallel to the long side at 8' centers, you could get by with setting the first one so a 12' 2x4 would do the first 8' swath plus the part of the 2x4 that hangs beyond the first section could level the extra 3' beyond.