Leveling a barn site

[awright42]

I need to level a site for a new pole barn. I need to cut 40" and fill 40" over a 50' run.
Can this be done with a 33 HP compact tractor? What would be the best attachment?
Cutting will be into clay. I'm considering a box blade. Thanks.

 

[Rockbadchild]

This job is usually done with a excavator, a bulldozer wouldn't even do this job efficiently. Box blade or FEL wont be able to dig clay out very efficiently ... The only way I see it being done is by bottom plowing it then removing the rows and doing it over until you reach the dept. Box blade would be good for backfilling and smoothing it out but that about it. This would be a colossal project to do with a 33hp tractor.

 

[Rockbadchild]

A tractor-drawn scraper would work lol... probably the ''best'' attachment for this job.

 

[scootr]

33 hp is on the small side for this job. Especially with clay soil. But it could be done.
I would tackle the job with a 50hp tractor, filled tires and hydraulic rippers... and water and no time restraints.
Did about the equivalent for my barn with a 2 wheel drive MF 30B many years ago.
Be sure to take time to wheel roll your fill in in moist layers for good compaction

 

[Rockbadchild]

33 hp is on the small side for this job. Especially with clay soil. But it could be done.
I would tackle the job with a 50hp tractor, filled tires and hydraulic rippers... and water and no time restraints.
Did about the equivalent for my barn with a 2 wheel drive MF 30B many years ago.
Be sure to take time to wheel roll your fill in in moist layers for good compaction

what do you mean by hydraulic ripper ?

 

[stumblinhorse]

Best way to go is rent a skid steer for a couple of days. Cost about the same as a box blade. But will get it done much faster and probably better.

 

[newbury]

It could be done with a good round point shovel and a wheelbarrow, but it would take a LOT longer.
You don't give much info.
What are your potential rental capabilities?
Is it relatively flat but sloped terrain?
Are you putting the cut & removed clay in for the fill?
THe skid steer is a good suggestion.
Maybe break it up with a box blade first. I put in one shead that I had to dig out marine clay and that required a lot of effort.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

This job is usually done with a excavator, a bulldozer wouldn't even do this job efficiently. Box blade or FEL wont be able to dig clay out very efficiently ... The only way I see it being done is by bottom plowing it then removing the rows and doing it over until you reach the dept. Box blade would be good for backfilling and smoothing it out but that about it. This would be a colossal project to do with a 33hp tractor.

With a compact tractor you are depending on just the right amount of soil moisture content to get this done with any efficientcy. Slow and steady gets it done. But the window of oppurtunity to do the work may be small, if it drys out fast or you get rain and it's to muddy to work with the tractor.
An excavator would excel at moving the material in this 50' area.
My second choice would be a tracked skidsteer.

 

[rgr33]

I wouldn’t undersell the importance of compaction in the fill area.
just driving over it with tractor tires will not be enough, and the integrity of the finished building will eventually show signs of settling in that area.

 

[bigtiller]

We only get one chance to properly build a pad to support a building. It needs to be properly compacted to at least 90%. That requires a vibratory compactor, a sheepsfoot is even better.

I would remove the top layer of the building pad with my tractor and loader. About 6" where all the vegetation roots were.

Then I would hire a crew with the tools and knowledge to build a pad.

 

[scootr]

This ^^^ seeking advice on the internet. You start out asking how to replace a thermostat and end up with advice on getting the motor bored and balanced
His tractor being smaller might be a little light for wheel rolling.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

My guy did it with a large skid loader last year.

 

[masscity]

Up here we don't build them even with the ground, because of frost. My 40x60 is on a raised sand pad, but the back end is on a hillside,

I had to use 400 yards of compacted sand.

A friend of mine bought a house with a pole barn that was even with the ground and the concrete is cracked and the barn itself is coming

apart in some places.

 

[true temper]

Moving the dirt isn’t the problem, compaction is. Needs to be compacted in 3” to 5” layers with plenty of water to ever think about being done right.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Moving the dirt isn’t the problem, compaction is. Needs to be compacted in 3” to 5” layers with plenty of water to ever think about being done right.

This is very conservatives you can be more aggressive then that, 6'' to 11'' depending on material size and compaction equipment and yes plenty of water.

How to Determine Number of Passes and Lift Thickness for Soil Compaction? [PDF]

The calculation of the number of passes for compactors and lift (soil layer) thickness for soil is critical to attain the required degree of compaction. Generally, the lift thickness varies between…

theconstructor.org

 

[LD1]

50' run and 80" elevation change....but at what width?

I had a real similar elevation change......around 6" over 50 when I built my first 30x50 polebarn at my old house ~15 years ago.

Had a L3400 kubota....did it in a day.

Assuming you are taking the 40" from the high side and building the low side up with that dirt til level right? Thats what I did......packed fine. Constantly driving over a single bucket load at a time.

IF the area is for a 30x50 pad similar to mine......and thats your plan......going from middle of the building slowly digging into the hillside......thats only ~50 yards of dirt.

I think others are making this way more complicated than it needs to be. Sure you could get an excavator or skidloader and do it in about 2 hours.......but its not like its gonna take you a week with a tractor like some seem to think.

A tooth bar would certainly help.....or another means of breaking up ground....(till it or plow as you go).....but clay that is moist isnt bad to dig at all with a FEL.

Here are 3 pics from about ~15 years ago..... This was done in ONE day with a L3400 gear tractor

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/01-jpg.193259/

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/02-jpg.193260/

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/03-jpg.193261/

 

[jb1390]

I need to level a site for a new pole barn. I need to cut 40" and fill 40" over a 50' run.
Can this be done with a 33 HP compact tractor? What would be the best attachment?
Cutting will be into clay. I'm considering a box blade. Thanks.

I'd use a box blade with rippers in combination with the loader. You can use the rippers to loosen material, then move it with the loader or drag it with the box. Separate any organic material from the material you use to fill. I concur with those that have emphasized compaction.

Whether the tractor is enough probably depends on your material. Where I'm at, there are lots of rocks, which could make it tougher than with a bigger machine. If you can do shallow cuts with minimal stone, it will be easier.

As far as doing this with your machine vs renting.......sure there are machines that will do it faster. And if you were doing this for pay regularly, you might choose a different machine. But it certainly seems possible, and reasonable.