Leveling land

[kacole]

I've got a few acres. About 7 or so that I need to level out . I need to move a fair amount of dirt from the top side to the bottom side. What do i need to do this. I've got a kubota mx5100. 50 hp tractor with a front end loader. I started off with a very cheap and half tore up box scrape and it wasn't very successful. I feel like I'm working myself to death. With the way its tore up i cant adjust my top link out far enough to make the rippers dig. It just rides along the top. I have access to a regular scrape blade. Should I go and get it? Should I buy HD box scrape? How much dirt can be moved with a box scrape without it being just painful ? Is there another implement I can buy ( without breaking the bank) that will do better

 

[Jchonline]

First, it is going to take a very long time with a tractor. Second, probably the best is a very heavy box blade (CAT2). You need to tear up the dirt, then drag it closer to the new location. How is the ground hardness this time of year? It may be easier when the ground is softer.

To make sure you are truly level, you need some type of transit or leveling device (I like lasers) to check your grade.

Ideally, you should probably have this done by the pros. Seven acres is a large area to level with a tractor.
If it were me, I would rent a tracked skid steer weight around 5 tons for the weekend and see how far I got. If not much further, hire it out. A dump truck, a big excavator, and a SS will make quick work of the job.

 

[bcp]

If you remove 1 foot from 3 acres, then place it on the 4 acres, that's a little less than 5000 cubic yards to move, if my math is correct.

Are you young enough to ever finish this job?

Bruce

 

[jeff9366]

A Box Blade is enclosed on three sides for transporting dirt short distances. This seems to be your tractor application. You would want a Box Blade 84" wide. If you do not have Two pairs of hydraulic ports at the rear of your tractor consider Rollover Box Blades. (ROBB)

A rear/angle blade is more for grading. It does not transport dirt quite as well. You would want a rear/angle blade eight feet wide.

Either will serve.

For moving dirt you want an implement with max pounds per unit of width, preferably Category II.

Moist soil is a lot easier to detach than dry soil.

 

[Oldoak]

------------------With the way its tore up i cant adjust my top link out far enough to make the rippers dig. It just rides along the top.-------------------

I would purchase a longer top link for more adjustment. Fairly cheap at Tractor Supply.

---------------------------------Ideally, you should probably have this done by the pros. Seven acres is a large area to level with a tractor. If it were me, I would rent a tracked skid steer weight around 5 tons for the weekend and see how far I got. If not much further, hire it out. A dump truck, a big excavator, and a SS will make quick work of the job.

I agree, but not entirely. I believe hiring the job out to someone with a bulldozer would be the best way to go. One day's work and done.

 

[kacole]

I am young but don't want to spend the rest of my life on it. Not in a huge hurry. Just being cheap I guess. If I could buy something and do it myself then I still got an implement out of it. Dirt is in pretty good shape as far as hardness goes. Not hard to run my grapple down into it 6" or so. May try to look into the bobcat rental.

 

[kacole]

Not even wanting it level perfectly. Just graded to a smooth slope

 

[Code54]

Rent a dozer - mostly not that bad for a weeks rental. No damage to your eqpt and done in no time - go back and dress it up with the tractor.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Buy a dirt pan if you really want to do it yourself.

Something like a small durabuilt would work good for your size tractor.

Product - Dirt Pan

 

[sixdogs]

I do this all the time. Get a rototiller and make two slow passes to make the dirt like potting soil. Then hire a guy with a bulldozer that's good and have him push things around and smooth it out. It will be over before you know it and leave lots of time to have fun doing other things.