how to level this area (pic)

[bobbyg18]

i think I will be getting this job...i need to level a 40X20 area...i will be using a skid steer...the pathway in the middle will be the middle of the area, and I will be removing the concrete...

my questions are:

1) should i bring in dirt to raise the lower part or cut into the top and use that dirt to fill in down below?...even if i bring in dirt i will still have to make a cut on the top to even out

2) will the roots from the huge tree ba e a problem for me

3) if i make a cut into the hill what concerns should i have about draingage?
any help would be appreciated..thanks

 

[CharlieTR]

I am no expert but maybe a little of both (cutting in and bringing in dirt).
If you cut tree roots, you need to cut branchs off the top too, so it won't be out of "balance".

Where is the 40x20 section?

Maybe two walls or one tall wall. Might require an engineer depending on your code.

Have fun!

 

[RobJ]

How about a small dozer, I see a LOT of fill dirt there. Plus you will need some compaction. Is it sloping down to the street?

Is the bottom of the tree level to the area? Sort of looks a bit low. If you bury the lower part of the trunk with dirt, say a foot or so but it could be as little as a few inches....you could kill the tree. It may take a while but covering the trunk with dirt, mulch, is a no-no. It opens up to tree to a different kind of bug that the bark can not keep out. It may be different up north.

Good Luck.

 

[kwolfe]

It looks like you are going to need to build a 3-4' retaining wall on the right and side and back fill behind it. You could cut into the hill side on the left and build another retaining wall there as well, however since you have a sidewalk the ground would have to slope back up to it eventually. As for drainage, you should not have any problems as long as you finish grade does not slope toward the building. You may also want to consider running a drain line from the inside of the left hand retaininf wall towards the street.

 

[bobbyg18]

i figured i'd need retaining walls (but i dont build walls, i'd have to sub it out)...this is a job for a guy building a playground...he said he just wanted it sloped, no walls

and he just wants me to level an area about 40X20...

 

[Gatorboy]

How about like this?

 

[dirtworksequip]

Its hard to tell from the pic. How far to the right is the property line. The further to the right you can go the flatter you will be able to make your slope. You could cut some on the left side,but the depends on several factors......1) what are the underground utilities that you will be affecting. Sewer,water electic,gas and phone? If you take off cover on a waterline or sewer that could cause future freeze problems.2) how steep of a slope would be acceptable to the left.

I guess I would cut as little as possible on the left and fill to the right. If you cover the root sytem of the big tree with even a small amount of dirt it will be dead within a year.

Be sure and strip off the topsoil and save it.If you fill over it, you will have the potential for your fill to slip.

 

[dtd24]

certainly a retaining wall in order from the looks of things.

 

[k6dyc]

If he only needs a 20x40 level pad and you are going to remove the sidewalk from the house to the street, it looks like you could place it to the left of the tree (looking at the picture). Just go 20' to the left of the tree parallel to the house and run the 40' between the house and the street. It looks like you wouldn't even be moving that much dirt on the uphill side, maybe a foot or so. You really need to take a builders level out there and shoot the area to see how much rise there is from the tree to 20' uphill from the tree.

Good luck, and post before and after pics!

 

[toolaholic]

You're getting set up for trouble! There should be a set of plans,with detailed info. also someone should bring in an arborist. When things go wrong,and they will, you'll lose. talking from 45 years in the buss.

 

[leeinmemphis]

If you are taking a job without knowing exactly how to do it then imo you aren't qualified for the job. I sure hope you have good contractors insurance in case something goes wrong. Especially being a playground where kids are going to play. If a retaining wall gives or something like that and you have multiple injuries then you are definitely going to be in a heape of trouble.

 

[FULLPULL]

I would talk to the local building official and make shure you dont disturbe there right aways he also may give you some tips and keep you out of a unforseen problem.

 

[rdln]

geez, what is this MotherByNet? let the guy have have it. his mind is set on this, if something goes wrong he learns a lesson and doesnt make money or worse loses money.

this is like making decoys, take your block of wood and cut away everything that doesn't look like a duck.

 

[CurlyDave]

I guess I would cut as little as possible on the left and fill to the right. If you cover the root sytem of the big tree with even a small amount of dirt it will be dead within a year.


I have had good success with building a small retaining wall around trees to keep the grade in its original condition. With a tree that big I would center it in a circular retaining wall at least 3' in diameter larger than the tree.

...this is a job for a guy building a playground...he said he just wanted it sloped, no walls...

Before I agreed to that, I would get a soils engineer to determine the correct slope. The owner has no idea what he is doing, and if the slopes are too steep they will not be stable.

A lot of questions. Does he want you to just level, or does he want the topsoil removed and then replaced after the job? Is he going to have grass on the playground or some other kind of surface? How is it going to drain?

How is your insurance? If a kid gets hurt on the playground are you going to get sued?

geez, what is this MotherByNet? let the guy have have it. his mind is set on this, if something goes wrong he learns a lesson and doesnt make money or worse loses money.

Well, think about the financial consequences of a kid getting hurt. I agree that the school of hard knocks is valuable, but if the first hard knock is a big lawsuit and financial ruin, the lesson has little value.

 

[bobbyg18]

thanks for the help...

some more info,
i just started my biz last June, my focus was small Bobcat jobs...

so being so cold out last wk, i figured i'd try and drum up some biz...so i went to a local playground store and spoke with the manager, he said they needed someone to prep their sites before the installations...

the manager gave me this address and said to take a ride by and see what you think...he also told me this is one of their bigger jobs...3 playgrounds at this site...

most of their jobs are small backyard jobs i feel i can handle, however for this one i will definately need some help...ive already hooked up w/ a larger excavation company through some networking and he's going to help me with these "bigger jobs" that i need help on...he's also going to give me the smaller Bobcat jobs he doesnt want (win win, he doesnt have a Bobcat anymore just larger equipment)...there is still more details to work out

and i do have full insurance...

 

[ToadHill]

I'm a retired arborist, and you will almost certainly kill the tree if you cover the the roots and trunk with the soil necessary to level this site. The feeder roots are in the top 8 to 12 inches of soil and if you cover them with a large amount of soil they won't be able to perform the function they are designed for.
As far as the trunk goes, a tree has two kinds of wood, the kind that likes to be underground and the kind that likes to be above ground. If you mix up the two, the tree will die.

 

[Kendall69]

i can bet you aren’t getting paid enough for all the headaches you will get yourself into on this one. The liability issues will last for years. Drainage, cut, fill, retaining walls, etc.etc.

Run don’t walk away from this one, live to fight another day.

 

[wushaw]

I'm a retired arborist, and you will almost certainly kill the tree if you cover the the roots and trunk with the soil necessary to level this site. The feeder roots are in the top 8 to 12 inches of soil and if you cover them with a large amount of soil they won't be able to perform the function they are designed for.
As far as the trunk goes, a tree has two kinds of wood, the kind that likes to be underground and the kind that likes to be above ground. If you mix up the two, the tree will die.

This may be true in NY but not with an American Elm in my area I put 4ft of dirt on 5yrs ago, it still lives and thrives.

 

[ducati996]

strongly suggest getting rid of the tree, and dig out the ball - from there there is plenty of things you could do....maybe pictures without the tilt or more from the left side looking down towards the right....

Have fun either way!

 

[cddva]

Take a look at this site. American Excavating Services - The Small Project Specialist!

He has a sample of a playground area they installed on a hillside. Not as complicated as what you have but it may give you some "mental images" of possibilities. I would stay below the tree if at all possible. Also, I would get it in writing that you are a subcontractor to the playground installer i.e. not legally responsible for finished job, so to speak.