how to level yard

flatius · Jun 2, 2002

hi group, what would be the best attachment to rent (i only need it one time) to put a "finish" grade on my front yard. (3/4 acre). i have thought of a box blade or a 3pt landscape rake. is one better than the other? also, i do have quite a few trees to go around. i plan on using my front end loader to distribute the sand base and topsoil. then hopefully smooth it out with the fel to a point where i can start the "finish" grade.
any help from this forum would be greatly appreciated.

from michigan 75 and sunny today

Anonymous Poster · Jun 2, 2002

I use a homemade leveler for smoothing the ground (soft dirt) after having a doser out here. I use six tires tied together in a triangle shape with the point toward the tractor. Have it about eight feet behind the tractor and the tires will slide around trees very nicely.

Will_C · Jun 2, 2002

The various homemade devices all work well, but I think that a landscape rake is the way to go. Try to find one with the gauge wheels for a fine finish. Also, nothing beats a hand rake for the final grade, unless you are a better operator than I!!!

JJT · Jun 2, 2002

I'm with you will. The landscape rake is the way to go. I'll rough things out with the FEL and box scraper, then attack with the 7' landscape trake. If this is close to the house I'll finish things off with the rider and a 4' york rake, (no hand raking for me except up close to objects where the rider cannot get).

flatius · Jun 2, 2002

hey guys, thanks for the ideas on using the "proper" attachment. the "triangulated tire arrangement" sounds like a cheap way to go.....being that i am from the "scot" heritage...haha. will look hard at all ideas. these "forums" are an excellent "think tank"!!!!!

Anonymous Poster · Jun 2, 2002

I think the landscape rake is more forgiving than a box blade.

Like the tire dragging, I've used a piece of chainlink fence with a pipe on one end to hook a chain on and drag behind the tractor. Adding and removing weight for more or less cutting by the fence.

EdKing · Jun 2, 2002

If the dirt is loose, I have a drag I made up by wrapping chain link fence around 2 8 foot 6X6's. I hook it up to my boom pole and drag it around the dirt. It won't break up large, hard chunks, but is the best thing I've found for smoothing out lose dirt.

MrP · Jun 12, 2002

Flatius,

Are we talking loose or packed dirt? Do you have grass already there? Will you be planting grass? If so, what kind of soil do you have?

If you are planning to add grass, and your soil is like mine, this would be the time to rent a tiller and add organic matter and fertilizer. Then use your FEL in float mode, the afore mentioned landscape rake, or something home made (chainlink fence) to smooth. You could also add seed and a staw mulch after spreading.

flatius · Jun 13, 2002

hi mike, i will be putting down a 6 inch sand base then compact the sand by driving the tc25 over and over whilst dragging the fel bucket. after this, i will use the landscape rake attachment to grade the front yard to my liking. then i will put about 4 inch of topsoil on the compacted sand. as before, i will also compact the topsoil.
i have not decided on seed/hydroseed or sod yet.....all depends how much $$$$$ i have in my pocket after paying for the new tractor.......hahaha. getting some sand delivered tonight so i will be out having fun with the new tc25. i just have to put a cup holder on this thing.