Please Advise - What to do next

[SteveH_CT]

Hey Folks - I've cleared about an acre and a half in total, and I'd like to get it to the point I can plant grass. Right now the ground is fairly level, and it will be better after I bring in more fill and smooth it over with the FEL. With all these roots, and rocks of various sizes from small to football size, I'm just not sure what implement I need to get. My dealer has suggested a "power rake" or something like that - I forget exactly what he called it. I can tell you this - It is hydraulic for tilt and angle, and it requires I add a 3rd SCV. They rent this implement - and that will give me a chance to try before I buy.

Some of you guys from CT know the soil and conditions here. Have you done anything like this? What's worked out best for you?

Thanks a lot for the anticipated advice. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif This is all a dry run for me before I hit our next lot, which is a lot bigger than this one. Right now we have 8 acres... no more than 2 cleared right now, that will change through the summer. I'm learning the tricks of the trade, and having a lot of fun doing it.

 

[lamarbur]

The Harley power rake or it's equivalent will do it the quickest and easiest. Better look around and see what's out there. I am sure there are landscapers in your neighborhood that do it, or ask the dealer what it takes to run one from your own tractor..

 

[SteveH_CT]

Thanks - that may be the implement he was talking about. When I go in for the 50 hour service I'm getting the 3rd SCV added so I can try the power rake. Fast is good - I'm getting married in mid-June and I need this place in ship shape as quick as I can get it there. We're having the reception in our yard - so far I'd guess I've doubled the useable space. But it's getting near time to quite clearing and start planting. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Thanks again,

 

[lamarbur]

someone who owns a power rake can chime in here, but, I believe to buy one, they go a thousand dollars per foot or so.. Maybe I was hearing things, but one guy told me his 6 footer cost like 6800.00 to buy. This, is why they get so much as landscapers. Costly equip and probably just as costly to maintain. Perhaps after you get that 3rd SCV, maybe you can rent one for a reasonalbe cost per day., weekend or ?

 

[SteveH_CT]

Exactly - I'll rent one. I don't have the land, experience, and most of all the $$ to get one of my own.

 

[jimg]

If the roots and rocks are still attached wouldnt some sort of ripping attachment be better?

 

[SteveH_CT]

Probably so - and therein lies my problem. I really don't know a lot about implements. I think a lot of the roots out there are, or will be homeless soon /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I've got a few more trees to drop then I'm moving fill in to even out there general area with the rest of the yard.

Implements sold on the web remind me of fishing lures... they're made to attract the fisherman more than the fish. They all look good, and look like they'd do a great job. But it's the job they do that I am trying to learn more about. Box Blades, Rock Rakes, York rakes, on and on. Too many choices... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[jimg]

I'm opening some new garden space and the soil is very hard and full of rocks. Last night I borrowed a box blade, dropped the scarifiers all the way down and ran them thru the new area. I found a cross hatch pattern worked best. I pulled out a pile of rocks from baseball to almost basket ball size. There are still others that will need a pry bar applied to them. In addition to removing the rocks (so they don't cycle thru my tiller) it also loosens the soil. There were times my tractor (NH 24D) just couldnt pull out whatever the scarifiers hooked. I noticed you have a stronger machine so this problem might be less noticable. Anyway, I was thinking that using a single tooth ripper might be work a bit better. Instead of engaging the soil and rocks w/ four scarifiers I'd just have one plus it could be set somewhat deeper. So, from my experience last night I can see the value of a dedicated ripper. Yes, itll be slower but I think it would do a better job pulling out roots and rocks. Before this I wasnt quite sure if having a ripper would be useful. If you can borrow an attachment that would be the way to go.

If you bury the roots theyll eventually rot and the soil over them will slump. Im experiencing this in my yard at the moment and its a royal pain!!! BTW what are you doing w/ the stumps??

 

[SteveH_CT]

Stumps??? I've got em if you want em /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've been pushing them into an area along the back of our lot that has become my collection area. I've got brush, trunks, stumps, and landscape size rocks in different piles. I think I'll dig a hole out back and bury them eventually... no time right now though.

Your advice on the box blade is really helpful. I've had trouble seeing the difference between some of the attachments out there, and I have been leaning towards the BB simply because of it's ripping ability, and they look fairly heavy duty.

Thanks again for the useful info,

 

[jimg]

No, I have plenty at the moment. Thanx for asking though. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I was planning to buy a box blade later this year and now that I've used one I'm sure thats what I need for the drive and another area I'm reclaiming. In addition I think I might also spring for a ripper. They're certainly inexpensive enough and small to store....and very useful for extracting rocks.