how to pick up rocks

[supratreo]

hi, i'm trying to lay down 3-4" of dirt for a lawn that i will complete in the future. that dirt that i got has a lot of small rocks in it and it beginning to be a pain picking them all up by hand. is there anything i can use to do this? i thought about using a box blade but i don't think that will do a good job.
thanks.

 

[jenkinsph]

My plan to finish off some small areas is to rake the surface rocks off then mix add a 4" layer of mulch on top then till to mix it in. While the ground is soft and fluffed up you should be able to seed and roll the ground pushing any small rocks below the surface.

In the Rocky Mountains we have a lot of experience with those boogers.

 

[kayco53]

Looking at getting a rack for the 3pt hitch myself.Haven't used one but it looks like the answer.Hope somebody tell us how well they work.

 

[Cami]

Can you beg, borrow, steal, build, or rent a small screening plant?

 

[beenthere]

Rent a Harley Rake. It will sort out the rocks and windrow them to the side for easy pickup with bucket on FEL.

 

[supratreo]

thanks for the replies guys. i guess i should be more specific, these rocks range from small landscaping stones to softball size chunks of asphalt (some all little bigger) most are oddly shaped.
i'm going to till all of it after i'm done so i'm sure most of the small ones will get buried but i'm sure the big ones won't and will just tear up my tiller.
thanks again.

 

[supratreo]

i just checked out the harley rake and it looks like a great tool. i'll have to see if anyone around me rents it. any other options? what about a rake?

 

[Topstrap]

I've done a ton of yards over the years as part of my business and the rake will do the job but as you keep running over it the tractor tires will compress the dirt slightly each time. Box blade will only level the yard and not pull up the rocks and also will pull some topsoil along with any debris you pull up. Great for getting that smooth contour and finishing off with a Harley rake with rear mounted wheels to eliminate all those low and high spots. A Harley rake works good but if you windrow the rocks you still have to scoop them up either in the windrows you create or the piles you leave at the end of each pass at the end of the yard.

I've found the fastest and best is just rent a skid loader if you don't have one with a rockhound. Breaks up the dirt while also pulling the rocks and debris into a bin that when filled or at the end of a pass carry to a dump location or put into the bed of a truck or trailer to get rid of. It also breaks the ground up a tad deeper with the knives than the Harley rake with it's thumb sized studs and you usually only have to make one pass over each area of the yard and not get as much compaction. Each piece of equipment will eventually do the job but the rockhound is by far the fastest and easiest solution for yards. Only problem is if you are used to having 6 way hydraulics on the back of a tractor to work around the slopes on a yard to grade and rake it out you'll have to get used to getting the skidloader and rockhound lined up on each slope to create a smooth contour but that comes easily with a bit of practice.

Have fun and good luck.

Topstrap

 

[ChuckinNH]

Using a regular landscape rake with every other tine removed might work. The other thing to do is build a small dirt screen that you can sift the dirt with before you put it down. There are many examples here on TBN. Most use something like a piece of chain link fence mounted at 45 degrees on 2X4's or something similar. Here is one example:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...130195d1242754856-my-rock-screen-dcp_0041.jpg

 

[Pipestone Kid]

Go over the yard with your snowblower--I guarantee it will find all the rocks!! Sorry, I couldn't resist.