Breaking up clay & sod

[JJZ 109]

I posted this question in the Bobcat forum, but that doesn't seem to get much traffic so here goes again:
Recently had some excavation work done. Had some sod scraped out to put down stone for a future concrete pad and dug a short trench to bury an old fire pit. The soil here is pretty much clay. I spread the chunky stuff around into some low spots on the property and back dragged it the best I could with my skid steer bucket.
Thinking about renting (or buying if one were to appear on CL at the right price) something to bust up and smooth out this stuff. Would I be better off with a tiller or Bobcat landscape rake to use on my S185 that does not have high flow?
Thank all!

 

[oosik]

I would start by renting a tiller and see how that works. I have a Troy built Horse tiller and have used it - very successfully - to smooth a lumpy field where I used a bottom plow. This was before I purchased a disk plow. It wasn't a lot of fun and the lumps were not 100% dried clay but they were hard and the tiller "leveled the playing field". I have no experience using a landscape rake.

 

[classacthollow]

How large of an area? if it is just a one time only to get a lawn prepped, I think you would be better off renting a good roto-tiller. just add some sand and maybe sawdust to the soil or compost if it isn't too large an area so that it aerates the soil. you could also use a disk on it for a lot less money if you want to do it over and over again.

 

[Egon]

It kinda depends on the type of clay and the moisture content.

If it's wet good luck.

If it's in dry chunks a disk may be a good choice to break up and mix.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Did you see my post on the other thread about the ratchet rake? It wouldnt be economical for just the one project but I use mine frequently. I bought mine at TSC for about $300.

 

[jeff9366]

Landscape Rake will NOT work.

The flexible tines will just lift and ride over the lumps.

 

[bigtiller]

I posted this question in the Bobcat forum, but that doesn't seem to get much traffic so here goes again:
Recently had some excavation work done. Had some sod scraped out to put down stone for a future concrete pad and dug a short trench to bury an old fire pit. The soil here is pretty much clay. I spread the chunky stuff around into some low spots on the property and back dragged it the best I could with my skid steer bucket.
Thinking about renting (or buying if one were to appear on CL at the right price) something to bust up and smooth out this stuff. Would I be better off with a tiller or Bobcat landscape rake to use on my S185 that does not have high flow?
Thank all!

Hmm, tiller or rake?

I think the tiller would be best for the job. There must be at least one guy close to you that does garden tilling for "beer money".

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I think I'd check into renting a pulverizer. You could probably make several passes over it with a pulverizer faster than you could do it once with a tiller.

60 Inch Soil Pulverizer | Yard Pulverizer

 

[JJZ 109]

It kinda depends on the type of clay and the moisture content.

If it's wet good luck.

If it's in dry chunks a disk may be a good choice to break up and mix.

We've had some fantastic weather for about the last 10 days so it's been drying in the sun & wind. I don't think a disc is an option for me because my tractor is a skid steer.

 

[JJZ 109]

Did you see my post on the other thread about the ratchet rake? It wouldnt be economical for just the one project but I use mine frequently. I bought mine at TSC for about $300.

I did see that post. Just hangin' out waiting for the opinions to roll in. :thumbsup:
I'm not seeing a ratchet rake work too well in this situation. Mostly big chunks of clay & sod that have been dug up and are just piled on top of the ground. Kinda halfway back dragged around by a skid steer bucket. Not sure by any means but I'd think the ratchet rake would just drag the stuff around with busting it up very much.

 

[creekbend]

If you decide to use a Pulverizer, try to use with a Double Roller. That is what I did years ago. I borrowed one from my Neighbor. If memory serves me correctly it was made by Woods. Best wishes.

 

[ChristianHF]

Soil Conditioner Attachment - Bobcat Company

Have you looked in to renting one of these? Seems perfect for the task you have at hand.

 

[daugen]

The rotating drum is equipped with carbide-tipped teeth, which rip through clumps and penetrate the soil.

This is from the Bobcat soil conditioner and I agree, sounds like what you need. A pulverizer is an expensive piece of equipment and the two I've seen in operation were hydraulically controlled. I have zero idea of gpm requirements, but boy did they do a nice job. First run at an angle to leave a line of debris and rocks, then later straight, usually in reverse, to leave the ground like freshly vacuumed carpet.

I would just be careful not to overpulverize that clay, I've read here somewhere the downside of that but someone else can better explain it. Since you are in NY I'm assuming you are going to be picking up some granite, but how's your rock situation?

for a small area, I'd rototill; anything too large or strenuous, I'd find a pulverizer to rent. Good luck. I also wonder if running a rock rake or something to scoop up the clumps might help prep the ground.

 

[JJZ 109]

Soil Conditioner Attachment - Bobcat Company

Have you looked in to renting one of these? Seems perfect for the task you have at hand.

That looks like the implement I need. Will have to contact my friend at the local Bobcat place and see if they have a rental unit.

 

[Xfaxman]

Landscape Rake will NOT work.

The flexible tines will just lift and ride over the lumps.

Just so everyone knows, a skid steer landscape rake is different than a tractor landscape rake.

 

[JJZ 109]

Just so everyone knows, a skid steer landscape rake is different than a tractor landscape rake.
View attachment 339525 View attachment 339526

And a skid steer landscape rake is indeed what I meant. Guess I should have specified that for those who haven't seen or heard of one.

 

[daugen]

Guess I should have specified that for those who haven't seen or heard of one.

like me, thanks. Never had a skidsteer, though the quick attach implements can be interesting.

 

[JJZ 109]

Guess I should have specified that for those who haven't seen or heard of one.

like me, thanks. Never had a skidsteer, though the quick attach implements can be interesting.

I'm glad that you took it the right way sir. Many times skid steer and tractor implements aren't quite the same and I don't mean to insult anyone who is more familiar with one than the other.