Old Pasture to New Lawn, and Best Methods

[LukeDuke30]

There are lots of good threads out there on pasture renovation, new lawn installation, and seemingly lots of ways to do it. We are in the process of building a house on about 6 acres total, but we will also be caring for another 4. Out of the total 10 acres, there will probably be 4-4.5 acres of mowable yard. These are broken up by 2 different driveways, so I would be doing this in segments. Soil is clay (NE Indiana), no rocks. We have decent topsoil because the field grass currently there is thick and grows very well. I already turned over the area that had a lot of compaction from heavy equipment, and lots of fill dirt on it for 2 years. The main concern is this land is VERY bumpy, and mowing is very slow-going.

I have the methods down to 2 different options and wanted to get the personal opinion of those who have done it:

1.) Use my existing Massey Ferguson 1734. I have access to a 5' rototiller, and own an old Brillion Cultipacker.
- Cut existing grass low, Rototill each segment individually, pack, seed, and then run the packer over again for seed contact. (Might need my box blade before seeding to level out low-spots) Water via sprinkler/well pump.

2.) Cut Grass Low, Rent a track loader, and a Harley Rake/Soil Conditioner. Pack, seed, then packer again for soil contact. Water via sprinkler/well pump.

I am not concerned about the cost to rent, but am more concerned about the most efficient and effective way to pulverize the existing soil for seed prep, and level/fill small bumps created over time.

Thank you for the input

 

[jeff9366]

I like Plan #1 because you have the equipment.

I would spray entire area which will become lawn with Roundup/Glycophosphate. Wait two weeks, then till. Wait another two weeks then till again. Seed in the spring.

If you want the lawn really flat for fast mowing you may need to drag with a heavy Chain Harrow after smoothing with your Box Blade. Chain Harrow mats are flexible so they will smooth loosened soil flatter than a Cultipacker or Box Blade under most conditions.

Chain Harrow will also collect any residual trash clumps.

 

[LukeDuke30]

I like Plan #1 because you have the equipment.

I would spray entire area which will become lawn with Roundup/Glycophosphate. Wait two weeks, then till. Wait another two weeks then till again. Seed in the spring.

If you want the lawn really flat for fast mowing you may need to drag with a heavy Chain Harrow after smoothing with your Box Blade. Chain Harrow mats are flexible so they will smooth loosened soil flatter than a Cultipacker or Box Blade under most conditions.

Chain Harrow will also collect any residual trash clumps.

The heavy chain harrow is one implement I need to buy. I was hoping this fall it would be dry enough at some point to roto-till but it just keeps raining, and now snowing. This would give me an opportunity to see the low spots over the winter which I could fill with the box blade, and then let the ground settle before re-tilling again this spring.

 

[jeff9366]

Consider both framed, Three Point Hitch mounted Chain Harrows and simple dragged Drawbar Chain Harrows.

Wingfield makes the best.

Wingfield 3pt tractor harrows provide the operator full control of the chain harrow mat.