I need your ideas please

[StrangeRanger]

Hi,
I'm looking to break up / loosen up the top couple inches of the soil where I want to plant grass.

We built our house going on 4 yrs ago and the soil is very settled and pretty much leveled out. But it's full of rocks. I'm trying to figure out an implement to use or build that will break up the first couple inches of soil so I can go around after w/ my handy bucket and remove most/all of the rocks. I know that part is going to blow, but I've gotten loosen them up first.

Any ideas? I have a box blade, but the teeth are too far apart for what I'm really trying to do. And a tiller would simply get jammed up or broken by some of the rocks.

Thanks,
j

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Can't you make a few passes over the same area with the box blade but just stagger over a few inches on a pass?

 

[RWolf]

Personally I think that if you could rent a harley/power rake would be the quickest. But baring that I think your box blade would be fine. Make a few passes to break everything up and then use a landscaping rake to level everything out. That would also you to help bring the rocks to the surface and possibly angling the rake move them into a windrow.

 

[Aquaman]

Have you tried a disc? You might be able to borrow/rent one fairly cheap. It would let you control the depth with your 3pt. After a few passes, most of the rocks would be on the surface. Just my 2 cents worth.....

 

[kennyd]

Rent a skid-steer with a Harley Rake or a Rockhound Rake. Cost around here is less then $300 a day.

I prefer the Rockhound because it collect all the rock and debris in the bucket so you can dump it wherever you need to, whereas the Harley windrows all the stuff to the side.

 

[JoelD]

Sounds like an application perfectly suited to a box blade with rippers, precisely what I use mine for, rock harvesting.

Joel

 

[teg]

Yard Tool

I would see if you can rent a Yardtool... There is another set of spikes in the back, offset from the front ones. I bought one for $250 used and I like the results. Real heavy and the roller in the back breaks up clumps.

 

[ToadHill]

I've had good luck using a landscape rake. It will break up the top few inches of soil and windrow the rocks over to one side for easy pick up. On my rocky ground I can use the loader bucket to scrape up most of them.

 

[rdbrumfield]

Unless the rocks are large, what I have done is to raise the tailgate of my tiller and at an idle till backing up. It dislodges the rock in and upward stroke instead of down. I have loosened up driveways like this. thing is is to not get in a hurry and just go slow, it will toss the rocks out. You will be carrying the tiller as it willl want to dive in. Just take a few inches off the top at a time.

 

[spruce Deere]

Box blade rip rip rip. north,south, east, west and diagonally, think of the seat time. Pick rocks however you want too.