Failed attempt to smooth property, how to correct?

[airbiscuit]

Once the turf is growing, I would be concerned about soil compaction from using a roller.

Should I Roll My Lawn? - Green Giant Services

 

[marhar]

I moved onto 6 acres of farm land and built a house. I mowed one Ohio mowing season and quickly realized the ground was uneven and rutted from the farm equipment that worked the land. It was beating me up as well as my zero turn. So, I talked to a local farmer to smooth out the land and put down grass seed for a more traditional lawn look. In fall 2020, the farmer disked, chisel plowed, and used a cultipacker to get the land looking better. Now, spring 2021, I mowed for the first time and I was still bouncing around. My lower back took a beating and the machine was not happy. How can this be?

Prior to the project starting, we discussed the goal of a very smooth surface so I can mow quick and not to slow down due to rough ground. The farmer said "no problem" and can take care of this. We agreed to a price. Prior to work being done, people would roll their ankles trying to walk in some areas of the property due to deep ruts. Now, walking is not an issue so I assumed mowing will be much more enjoyable. In the first few minutes of mowing, I was shocked how rough the ground still was.

With all that said, my question is: how do I correct this rough ground issue even after all the ground was was already performed?

Should I talk to the farmer that did the work and explain my concerns? Would he been in the right by telling me there is nothing more that can be done given he did the diskng, plowing, and rolled in the seed?

Is a big, heavy asphalt roller needed?

I'm open to all ideas. The desire to mow again with the current rough ground conditions is very low. It was not enjoyable for me or the machine.

You would have been better off if the farmer finished with a drag. I have seen some home made drags that were a simple as a few cross ties with chain linked fence between them.

 

[Mtnryder]

I moved onto 6 acres of farm land and built a house. I mowed one Ohio mowing season and quickly realized the ground was uneven and rutted from the farm equipment that worked the land. It was beating me up as well as my zero turn. So, I talked to a local farmer to smooth out the land and put down grass seed for a more traditional lawn look. In fall 2020, the farmer disked, chisel plowed, and used a cultipacker to get the land looking better. Now, spring 2021, I mowed for the first time and I was still bouncing around. My lower back took a beating and the machine was not happy. How can this be?

Prior to the project starting, we discussed the goal of a very smooth surface so I can mow quick and not to slow down due to rough ground. The farmer said "no problem" and can take care of this. We agreed to a price. Prior to work being done, people would roll their ankles trying to walk in some areas of the property due to deep ruts. Now, walking is not an issue so I assumed mowing will be much more enjoyable. In the first few minutes of mowing, I was shocked how rough the ground still was.

With all that said, my question is: how do I correct this rough ground issue even after all the ground was was already performed?

Should I talk to the farmer that did the work and explain my concerns? Would he been in the right by telling me there is nothing more that can be done given he did the diskng, plowing, and rolled in the seed?

Is a big, heavy asphalt roller needed?

I'm open to all ideas. The desire to mow again with the current rough ground conditions is very low. It was not enjoyable for me or the machine.

That is WAY too much ground to mow with a riding mower. Sell it and get a machine with larger wheels. You didn't say where you were located but my guess is that you have gophers, moles and frost heaving. Those are natural things that take an entire grounds crew to eliminate. You also didn't say what sort of seed you planted, but I bet it was rye. Cheap but not a good choice for a lawn of six acres. Bluegrass would be the way to go.

 

[Fielding]

Lets see some photos?

 

[nacl9163]

Think of it as a pasture, not a baseball field. Mow it with a bush hog; save the lawn mower for a real lawn. Whenever you have a project that leaves you with some leftover dirt, use it to fill in the worst spots. And a cold beer helps take the edge off the bumps....

 

[treefarmer1]

I moved onto 6 acres of farm land and built a house. I mowed one Ohio mowing season and quickly realized the ground was uneven and rutted from the farm equipment that worked the land. It was beating me up as well as my zero turn. So, I talked to a local farmer to smooth out the land and put down grass seed for a more traditional lawn look. In fall 2020, the farmer disked, chisel plowed, and used a cultipacker to get the land looking better. Now, spring 2021, I mowed for the first time and I was still bouncing around. My lower back took a beating and the machine was not happy. How can this be?

Prior to the project starting, we discussed the goal of a very smooth surface so I can mow quick and not to slow down due to rough ground. The farmer said "no problem" and can take care of this. We agreed to a price. Prior to work being done, people would roll their ankles trying to walk in some areas of the property due to deep ruts. Now, walking is not an issue so I assumed mowing will be much more enjoyable. In the first few minutes of mowing, I was shocked how rough the ground still was.

With all that said, my question is: how do I correct this rough ground issue even after all the ground was was already performed?

Should I talk to the farmer that did the work and explain my concerns? Would he been in the right by telling me there is nothing more that can be done given he did the diskng, plowing, and rolled in the seed?

Is a big, heavy asphalt roller needed?

I'm open to all ideas. The desire to mow again with the current rough ground conditions is very low. It was not enjoyable for me or the machine.

We did the same in a 4 acre field I wanted to plant Christmas trees on a couple years ago.
If he ran the cultipacker in the opposite direction that you are trying to mow in- that could be the reason it's " rough" as the cultipacker
will leave small hills & furrows ( just by the design of it ). You'd never feel it in a farm tractor- but you definitely would with the front wheels
(and even rear) with a ZRT. If that's the case ... have him go back out ( when the ground is somewhat soft) & roll the opposite direction.

 

[pharries]

I moved onto 6 acres of farm land and built a house. I mowed one Ohio mowing season and quickly realized the ground was uneven and rutted from the farm equipment that worked the land. It was beating me up as well as my zero turn. So, I talked to a local farmer to smooth out the land and put down grass seed for a more traditional lawn look. In fall 2020, the farmer disked, chisel plowed, and used a cultipacker to get the land looking better. Now, spring 2021, I mowed for the first time and I was still bouncing around. My lower back took a beating and the machine was not happy. How can this be?

Prior to the project starting, we discussed the goal of a very smooth surface so I can mow quick and not to slow down due to rough ground. The farmer said "no problem" and can take care of this. We agreed to a price. Prior to work being done, people would roll their ankles trying to walk in some areas of the property due to deep ruts. Now, walking is not an issue so I assumed mowing will be much more enjoyable. In the first few minutes of mowing, I was shocked how rough the ground still was.

With all that said, my question is: how do I correct this rough ground issue even after all the ground was was already performed?

Should I talk to the farmer that did the work and explain my concerns? Would he been in the right by telling me there is nothing more that can be done given he did the diskng, plowing, and rolled in the seed?

Is a big, heavy asphalt roller needed?

I'm open to all ideas. The desire to mow again with the current rough ground conditions is very low. It was not enjoyable for me or the machine.

I had a similar problem but using my own equipment. Solution was to buy a 40 year old power rake.
The power rake breaks up clumps of soil an leaves it as flat as a golf green.
My unit is old fashioned type but works great, fount best at 2/3 of normal pto speed

 

[edda]

Land Plane would be one good choice.

Another good choice would be a heavy Chain Harrow. Being flexible over entire mat surface the Chain Harrow is minimally influenced by front or rear tractor wheels moving up or down.

Land Plane and Chain Harrow are tractor implements. You cannot operate either behind a ZT.

Some people around here who are not real wealthy will nook several tires together with eyebolts and chains. using 2 rows that are offset from the next row and a bit wider than your tractor. Chain to the hitch or use a drawbar and spreader to pull. It scuffs the ground smoothing out rodent piles etc. larger, truck tires are a bit more aggressive/ heavier than smaller ones.

 

[KennyG]

Once the turf is growing, I would be concerned about soil compaction from using a roller.

Should I Roll My Lawn? - Green Giant Services

This depends on the type of soil. For really good loamy soil or 100% clay, this is a concern. However, for the sandy clay I have, compaction is never really an issue. The OP is going to have to evaluate his specific conditions.

 

[TractorGuy]

I've been trying to convert a forest into a mowable field for the last few years. It's coming along but not where I want it yet. I bought a tiller to work on it some this year. It already has grass established so I end up having to mow then till that. Having the clumps of grass makes working the soil level a chore. I will have to let the clumps die down and probably rake them out before I can effectively smooth the ground.

I till in several different directions then follow up with a homemade drag. I mow with a finish mower behind my JD4310 so my target smoothness is being able to drive wide open in mid range without having the seat bottom on the bounces. That will allow me to mow at the fastest speed the mower can cut without having to slow down.

I will probably end up having to top dress to get it where I want it but that would cost more than killing the existing grass and letting it grow back.

Hooked my drag to my rail buggy and pulled it around yesterday. Might as well have a little fun while I work.