Guidance on pond bank grading appreciated

[mdistel]

Looking for suggestions on safe options for finish grading the banks of my pond. Last week I rented an excavator and removed a lot of muck & reeds that I also still have to move into the woods. The banks start at around 11 deg on the side and increase to 21 deg in most areas but there are a few humps that are 26 deg. Unfortunately the clay was wet and my excavator skills limited so its rough, some areas I ran out of time and have deep track imprints but I have some fill dirt on site.

How would you approach this (tractor w/box blade, track steer with harley, tillers, mini skid with harley etc)? Also need to move the muck so something capable of digging into that pile, scooping out and driving to the woods would be best.

I can rent just about anything from a small backhoe (Kubota B26, Bobcat mini skids with Harley rakes, JD 2500/4500 loader with boxblades, track steers with harley rakes etc.)

I would like long term to have a small deere/kubota with a loader for the property but not sure a 1500lb machine can even move the muck but perhaps I'm wrong.

Thanks

Mark

 

[EddieWalker]

I would have used the excavator to remove more dirt from the bank and create a more gradual slope so I could mow it safely and easily. How big of an excavator did you rent and can you get one with a wide bucket? 4 foot wide ditching bucket would be ideal.

Something like this.

figuring out ditching bucket - YouTube

 

[mdistel]

It was an INI 35-4, 10'4" digging depth. I used both the 24" digging and what I think was a 36" grading. I wish it had more reach but was trying to avoid a heavy machine that would do even more lawn damage. Last night I managed to clear the remaining reeds with a pair of fishing gators and a shovel. Standing on plants in waist high water is an interesting experience.

I think the grade will be ok to mow on, going to compare to a neighbors that is mowed with a commercial walk behind without problem. I don't have a rider mower anymore so that is not a concern. Just need to figure the best way to grade and not end up in the pond!

Mark