Novice Question-leveling a slope

PiggRiver · Jul 22, 2005

Found this site several weeks ago, what a terrific source of information . . . now the question. I have 6 acrea's of land in Virgina, mostly meadow on a slope of about 10-12 degree's and plan to level a small area (30x20) for a travel trailer (place to stay while we build our retirement home). I will also be building and maintaining several thousand feet of gravel road, mowing and general landscaping. I have a new Kubota L3830 GST/F with the LA723 FEL, a Bush Hog SBX720 box blade and Bush Hog 50-07 rear blade (plus a Bush Hog SQ720 Squealer and post hole digger). My question is can I cut a level spot with this set-up, without over stressing it? There is no urgency in completing this, so I can take it slow and work it in small bit's if it's possible.

If it's possible what would be the best method; using the box blade or rear blade. Sorry for the novice question and long post, but I'd rather not learn this the hard way when there is so much experience on this board. I have a little tractor experience but only on flat land and that was a looong time ago . . . I learn fast (flew Navy jets for 29 years, but some might think that makes me brain damaged). Thanks in advance for your help. Roger on the Pigg.

bczoom · Jul 22, 2005

Roger,

First, welcome to TBN.

I don't see any problem doing it with what you have.

Not exactly sure of your ground conditions but if you approach the hill sideways you could cut into the hill with the FEL (where you're only using one side of the bucket). Move that dirt to the low side. Once you establish a larger level area you can come in from any direction.

The box blade could/should also be able to help. Be careful on the hill if approaching sideways to avoid tipping (also keep all the implements low to the ground). The scarafire teeth can be used to loosen the ground.

Brian

Bob_Skurka · Jul 22, 2005

I recently did something similar. I used a box blade for most of the work. My goal was to change the slope so it was not a steep slope and just to turn it into a mild slope. I simply started at the top of the slope and drove downhill while dragging the box blade and then emptying the spoils at a lower point. I used the FEL to clean up some of the loose spoils. I smoothed the whole area out with a landscape rake before planting grass.

I would mark the corners and perimeter of the area you want to flatten out by spraying around it with spray paint. Then determine the high point, mid-point and low point. Drag dirt from the high point and drop it at the low point. If you really want the area LEVEL then you'll have to do some compacting of the spoils as they will settle. But your tractor and box blade and FEL can do the job without any undue stress on the machine.

JerryG · Jul 22, 2005

Be careful working on side slopes. You can get a wheel up in the air real quick and then it can go over. When working a job like the one you are contemplating, I usually start by tilting the rear blade to cut the topside of the road. After you get the top edge cut in then you can go at it with your box tilted to one side. Depending on the type of soil, you may need to wait until after a good rain puts some moisture in the ground. Again, be careful on slopes like this, when you start cutting in ditches and berms they will exaggerate the angle your on.

btolle · Jul 22, 2005

The trick is to get one small area level. Just big enough so that the whole tractor will fit on the level area.

Once you have that area as a starting point you can use the front end loader to level the area around the "starter" area.

I would start by going straight up the slope and dig out a small area with the FEL until you get it level and go from there. You could even backdrag the area with the FEL to level it.

Note that the starter area does not need to be at final grade. It is merely a level area to work from, you can cut it down later if it is too high.

Don't forget to leave just a little slope for drainage.

Trying to use either blade to level on a slope is a waste of time unless you have power top n tilt.

Bill Tolle

PiggRiver · Jul 22, 2005

I knew this was the right place to ask the question. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and advice.

JerryG, you touched on the issue that concerned me the most, rollover. The soil is firm, but not hard, there is a little clay 12-18" down and I'm sure a few buried rocks. I have not found any stumps, but there is the occassional surface rock, which I've marked (so I don't find them with the Bush Hog). There is a small gulley that runs across the property, but I plan to place a culvert pipe and make a road to allow access to the lower third of the property. I hope its not a bad sign that my wife took out a larger insurance policy on me.

Bob Skurka and Btolle, I like your idea of keeping the tractor oriented up/down slope and make a more level spot to work from. I had the dealer install a toothbar, so I'll try that and the box blade first.

I'll keep you posted (with pics) on the progress. Thanks again everyone. Roger on the Pigg.

Egon · Jul 22, 2005

Just use the bucket and work straight down the fall line. Cut/fill

When you think you are close to size and level check with instuments and then use the other equipment to polish it all off.

If you do not have instruments a glass of beer that has a ring around it will do well to sight over as long as you stay down slope. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

DmansPadge · Jul 22, 2005

First of all... Welcome to TBN. And you're right.. this is a great resource.

( I have 6 acrea's of land in Virgina, mostly meadow on a slope of about 10-12 degree's and plan to level a small area (30x20) for a travel traiMy question is can I cut a level spot with this set-up, without over stressing it?)

The L3830 will handle this with no trouble. Sounds like you already got some good info from the others. Don't hesistate to ask any questions. There are over 20,000 members to TBN and a whole lot of knowledge.

( flew Navy jets for 29 years, but some might think that makes me brain damaged)

Sounds like the kind of man whose hand I like to shake. Thank you for serving the greatest country ever.

catskillsman · Jul 22, 2005

gt a backhoe attachment!

copperhead1967 · Jul 22, 2005

Leveling an area like that will create a pile of dirt. BUT it will be fun.
The last post about the Backhoe is actuallly pretty good, because once you start making your roads your going to want to put in drainage pipes on the high side of them.
You'll also find it easier to move hard packed clay and rock with the FEL after you loosen it up with the back hoe. I just put in a swimming pool, had to dig about 18" on the high side. I dug down to about 16" inches with the BH and used the FEL to move all the soil out. then I used the FEL and 5 FT rake to smooth everything out.
With a new home in the works I'm sure you'll have lots of stuff to do after the home is built also. Landscaping and such.
Backhoes can be pricey but are well worth the money.
Just remember slow and low until you get the hang of your new toy. After that the tractor will remind you to take it easy!

Thanks for all your years of service in the Navy. I was out there for 6 of them.