LEVELING old Crop rows

MF 1532 · Mar 3, 2011

If it were mine , I would probably disc once with the rows , once or twice at an angle , then work it with a cultimulcher (heavy two gangs of corrugated rollers with adjustable teeth ) This will level , crumble clods , and firm up the ground

Reg · Mar 3, 2011

Here's a simple and fair way to see how "level" and smooth it all is when (you think) you're all done.

Get off the tractor (OUCH !) and kick a very large beach ball around for a while.
You will get a very good idea of just how it will drain and whether you have left subtle whoop de doos, which are often hard to see from high up on the tractor, you don't always feel them in the ride either.
This can work very well for areas where you are trying to make swales for deliberate run-off routing.

sportsministryguy · Mar 3, 2011

Thank you all for your many options and opinions. Lots to consider.

We are located in NW Houston. REG - you anywhere close by?

Reg · Mar 3, 2011

sportsministryguy said:
Thank you all for your many options and opinions. Lots to consider.
We are located in NW Houston. REG - you anywhere close by?

Hi,
Unfortunately no, or I would already be in contact trying to set up a time to haul my stuff out to you (-:
The closest I have been to Houston recently (2 years ago) was Murchison TX, I think that is some 60 miles east of Dallas - a 3 day drive from where I am in Massachusetts.
I drove through Amarillo on the way to LA about a year before that.
I flew in and out of Houston for a few days, maybe 3, somewhen in the early 70s, I don't remember the customer or the exact nature of the trip.

So, what do you have at your disposal, or what could you easily lay hands on ?
Although you said "several acres" that could mean anything from maybe 2 in RI to 2 hundred in MT - which would likely affect the approach, I think a slightly more precise measure would help us to help you.

2manyrocks · Mar 3, 2011

Also depends on what time of year you work it. Our soil is still on the mushy side, but when it gets hotter, it will be like concrete.

sportsministryguy · Mar 4, 2011

The area is about 3 acres total with solid grass.

SandburRanch · Mar 4, 2011

sportsministryguy said:
The area is about 3 acres total with solid grass.

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If that's 3 acres of Bermuda I doubt that re-seeding will be necessary.

Gary Fowler · Mar 4, 2011

For all the comments, using a tiller only move soil in vertical direction. You can till that area in 47 directions and you will still have the ridges. A disc with a flat drag behind it will do the best job. The perfect drag is an old railroad track that needs to be a foot or more wider than the disc on each side. You can tell by watching the dirt pile on the drag when the field is level. When you have that drag with a fairly level dirt all the way across and not piling up in one section, then it will be level. You could till and pull a drag behind you also but it will be much slower operation than using a disc. My disc has 22" blades on it and weighs more than a thousand pounds. It would have no trouble cutting that ridge down in 2 or 3 passes at most. I would be pulling it at 5 mph vs 1/2 mph with the tiller.

Egon · Mar 4, 2011

The use of a disk will be very dependant on the size of tractor available. The small tractors pulling a light disc may not be up to the job when it involves mature sod.

Reg · Mar 4, 2011

Egon said:
The use of a disk will be very dependant on the size of tractor available. The small tractors pulling a light disc may not be up to the job when it involves mature sod.

I have a relatively light disk harrow, but I have a pair of 55 gallon drums strapped to it with hose faucets on so I can bottom fill or quickly dump them.
That allows me VERY adjustable ballast - and I don't have to carry it very far (-:

PART of my "depends what you have, or can lay your hands on" approach in conjunction with one of the replies that suggested (to me) that a tiller and power rake may be available.
If that is the case... better a slightly sub optimal solution that is available than the ideal solution that is not (-:

I am ASSUMING that equipment would have to be brought in, probably trailered in.
The IDEAL equipment may not be available within easy reach, or at a practical cost.

Volunteers ?
Anyone close to NW Houston want to go and help out ?