Ground Leveling/Grading

Fergie13 · May 26, 2015

Hello,

I'm building a garage on my property and currently working on preparing the site. I removed an existing concrete slab, and now I need to level and grade, as well as spread gravel. I was thinking of hiring someone to do this for me, but then I found out that my future mother-in-law has a small Ford 1510 (22hp) tractor with a rear 48-inch blade attachment. Since I've never leveled this large of a site (approx 40'x50'), I'm wondering if this tractor/blade combination will be able to get the job done?

Second, I would like to get any advise on how to level the ground. I've watched YouTube videos, but they pretty much just show you how to spread gravel. My thoughts is that I just progressively keep setting the blade depth lower and lower, and just keep scraping until it seems level. Then use stakes and string to see how levels it is, and fill in low spots until it's level. Probably a lot easier said than done.

Thanks!

pohorsky · May 26, 2015

My personal opinion is that is way too small. We have an equivalent size tractor and I've been using the scrapper off and one, probably 50-60 hrs over the last several years, and I would not feel comfortable doing something that size. Just for smoothing small areas with our tractor is a pain. For leveling I would think that you would want a box scraper. If you want to try it yourself, I would rent a skip loader, but you also might consider if you want to base your entire 2000' garage on your first time grading. Also, what is your plan for compacting?

RDrancher · May 26, 2015

pohorsky said:
My personal opinion is that is way too small. We have an equivalent size tractor and I've been using the scrapper off and one, probably 50-60 hrs over the last several years, and I would not feel comfortable doing something that size. Just for smoothing small areas with our tractor is a pain. For leveling I would think that you would want a box scraper. If you want to try it yourself, I would rent a skip loader, but you also might consider if you want to base your entire 2000' garage on your first time grading. Also, what is your plan for compacting?

Careful with the lingo there pohorsky. Most folks around this forum will read "skid loader" not "skip loader." For those following along, google "Deere 210LE" and commence to drooling!

pohorsky · May 26, 2015

RDrancher said:
Careful with the lingo there pohorsky. Most folks around this forum will read "skid loader" not "skip loader." For those following along, google "Deere 210LE" and commence to drooling!

What was the correct term?

RDrancher · May 26, 2015

pohorsky said:
What was the correct term?

You used the correct term. My warning was for the folks reading along that will think skid steer. As you know, that's a different animal.

Fergie13 · May 26, 2015

I haven't thought about soil compacting yet, but I probably should think about how I'll go about doing that.

I am also concerned that the Ford 1510 might be too small for the job. My mother-in-law also has a J.I. Case 1410 tractor available, but I'll have to track down a box scraper for it. I'm starting to this that this might be too big of a project to take on, the problem is that it's difficult to find someone to do it right now since most people that live around us are scrambling to get crops in the ground. I might see if someone can level the dirt, and then I'll spread and level the gravel.

RDrancher · May 26, 2015

I build a lot of pads using a 35hp tractor or my CTL. Google "bobcat services" or "excavation and grading contractors" and also check on Craigslist. You should be able to find someone happy to get the work.

pohorsky · May 26, 2015

RDrancher said:
You used the correct term. My warning was for the folks reading along that will think skid steer. As you know, that's a different animal.

Okay, just wanted to make sure I'm not using some term that only the people in with 30 miles use and understand.

kevinwak · Jun 1, 2015

RDrancher said:
Careful with the lingo there pohorsky. Most folks around this forum will read "skid loader" not "skip loader." For those following along, google "Deere 210LE" and commence to drooling!

that looks like a nice piece of equipment. I have never ever seen anything like that in our area.

gladehound · Jun 1, 2015

I excavated and leveled an area for my 24x27 equipment shed using a 19 hp KiotiLB1914 with 48" bucket and tooth bar and a 6 foot manual adjust rear blade. It took a while but I had fun doing it. I didn't run into rocks I couldn't move (although that could easily be a limitation of this size machine). I did run into roots I couldn't break but a few swings with the axe and problem solved.

So is it possible - certainly. Just depends on how much time you want to send. BTW - it was my first time too and the shed is still fine after 7 years. I don't anticipate any problems.

Deere Dude · Jun 2, 2015

Fergie13 said:
Hello,

I'm building a garage on my property and currently working on preparing the site. I removed an existing concrete slab, and now I need to level and grade, as well as spread gravel. I was thinking of hiring someone to do this for me, but then I found out that my future mother-in-law has a small Ford 1510 (22hp) tractor with a rear 48-inch blade attachment. Since I've never leveled this large of a site (approx 40'x50'), I'm wondering if this tractor/blade combination will be able to get the job done?

Second, I would like to get any advise on how to level the ground. I've watched YouTube videos, but they pretty much just show you how to spread gravel. My thoughts is that I just progressively keep setting the blade depth lower and lower, and just keep scraping until it seems level. Then use stakes and string to see how levels it is, and fill in low spots until it's level. Probably a lot easier said than done.

Thanks!

This works for me but I am a die hard DIY animal, and I am assuming you personally are building the thing.

Depending how much existing soil has top be moved will determine if you can do it with what you have. If you just need to scrape a little topsoil off and spread gravel around, I would try it. You need to get down to the subsoil for a good floor to hold up. You might need a 3 point dirt scoop to dig down and haul away if you need to go down far at all or if you need to dig out some mounds. To level the gravel, you can do that with what you have. I use small clear stone because it doesn't settle out much but whatever they use by you, go with that.

If it doesn't work with your tractor then call someone in to help.

I would find a cheap transit for ease operation, and that will get you real close to the correct floor height. Find, square, and mark your corners and go to it. I have used a string and a string level, but that is a tough way to do it. I put the transit pole on a platform and set it on the dirt or the gravel base, then take a reading to see if I need to go up or down. It is easy that way.

Fergie13 · Jun 2, 2015

Well I am very much a DIY person, but this is a project that is on a tight time line. Getting hitched in Oct, selling my place, and moving into hers, and I need a place to put all my toys. While removing the broken up concrete slab this weekend, we found a concrete footer, and some odd concrete block that is about 3' x 3' and sunk pretty deep in the ground. There's a neighbor down the road that does excavation, and said he can do the whole job for around $1500, so it looks like this time we're just going to throw money at it. There's always next time for me to play in the dirt!

Wagtail · Jun 2, 2015

pohorsky said:
What was the correct term?

And that depends on where in the world you are... I read 'skip loader' and thought, "Why do you need a lorry that picks up/drops off a skip?" (a 'skip' is a big metal industrial trash bin)

Sysop · Jun 2, 2015

40x50? Not really worth bringing in bigger equipment unless you hit a snag or are in some big rush. I agree with the above that a box scraper would do better than just a rear blade. Having had a concrete pad already removed from that location, I would think it can't be too far off from level or have massive amounts of stuff in the way. Nothing you've explained has made me think it would take longer than a day to complete.

flusher · Jun 2, 2015

Fergie13 said:
Well I am very much a DIY person, but this is a project that is on a tight time line. Getting hitched in Oct, selling my place, and moving into hers, and I need a place to put all my toys. While removing the broken up concrete slab this weekend, we found a concrete footer, and some odd concrete block that is about 3' x 3' and sunk pretty deep in the ground. There's a neighbor down the road that does excavation, and said he can do the whole job for around $1500, so it looks like this time we're just going to throw money at it. There's always next time for me to play in the dirt!

Concrete footer--I had a similar problem on my place. Parts of the foundation from an old dairy barn was in the way and needed to be removed.

A local guy with a TLB charged me $150 to bury two of the concrete stub walls like the one in the photos.

View attachment 427534

He dug a grave, busted up the concrete with the back hoe, pushed the stuff into the grave and backfilled. Job took about 2 hours.

Good luck

Sysop · Jun 2, 2015

Flusher, your attachment has failed.

AaronS · Jun 2, 2015

Fergie, first, welcome "neighbor".

As stated above, you can do it with small equipment if you have time and patience on your side. Since you've stated that time is of the essence, hire it done. I would get a second and maybe even third quote. $1500 seems very high for a 40x50 space. I have a dozer coming in soon to build a road on my farm in northern Crawford County and the quote was $450 to $600 (6 to 8 hours) to build a 600 foot road through woods.