Preparing/Grading surface for large shed

[Tonester]

I'd like some advice from you knowledgeable folks about grading and smoothing a surface for a horse run-in shed we are building. I would like to use the tractor for most of it. What implements work best? We have a MF1433 w/60" bucket, 72" york rake, a large (900lb) lawn type roller and rotary laser equipment but no blade yet. The area is approx 20'X80' and in our existing pasture, probably gravel unless you can suggest something else? What would be the easiest method? Would I purchase a box blade or front end attachment? Some ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks.

 

[jmc]

Tonester,

A box blade will probably do it.

Can't tell you what horses like to stand on but if you are ever going to cement the floor, you should remove the top soil now. (And no using topsoil for fill...) As far a moving a lot of compacted dirt, I fully extend the scafiers on the boxblade to loosen the dirt only, trying to keep the box up out of the way, then scoop it up with the fel.

Around here its hard to find 80 ft. that wouldn't need fill to be level. You should compact the fill well. I like to use the front tires with the fel full of dirt. Someone recommended compacting no more than 6 inches of fill depth at a time.

Don't worry about possibly wasting money on a box blade. They are very handly for other things as well.

John

 

[Tonester]

Thanks John,
Pretty much what I had figured. We also have a long gravel road around the farm and I bet that box blade will do a fine job on that too! Thanks for the tips also!

Tony /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[normde2001]

I doubt that horses would like a steady diet of standing in gravel, gets in their shoes and hooves and causes problems. I would just use dirt and keep it covered with grass/hay/weed cuttings or wood chips.

 

[Tonester]

Yeah, you are right about that! We put these cool horse stall mats over the gravel, very heavy rubbery kinda things, keeps them hoofs happy and we still get the pack & drainage of the gravel. Then them spoiled horses get nice shavings and such - worse than my dogs..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

PS: In my part of the country, gravel is sand & small rocks with a bit of dirt... I know it's different elsewhere.

 

[KenNTx]

I would go with the box blade also..

 

[sewells]

Just built a run in shed. Didn't level the ground. I built the shed out of treated 6x6 posts with oak walls. I built the shed to conform to the slope of the ground instead of conforming the ground to the shed. When I was finished I put about 4" of sand on the floor. The horses love it. They particularly like to lie on the sand and soak up the sun. I could post a picture or two if you are interested.

 

[Tonester]

Sounds cool!

I think up here in NH we need a better base - lot's of snow, wind and rain! I have other out-buildings, even in "perfect" drainage spots, that with water, frost, ice etc. have been a pain to keep in good shape. We just got used to the idea of using a well packed & draining base for everything!

We have these portable horse stalls in one of our barns (by a company called "Behler") that are free standing & galvanized and super heavy duty. They use two inch boards that fit into slots in the metal framework. They have wide entrances and feeders too. I found out that the company makes a kit to roof 'em, so we are going to move six of 'em out into the south pasture for a try. They are a lot heavier than the sheds I have seen, and easy to setup. Also gives you seperate stalls 10X12 or 12X12 depending on the frame you use (we have a quantity of both). Should go up in a long day.....see attachment for their pictures, ours will be fully enclosed on three sides with half front on each stall (winter is COLD). In the summer we just pull some boards for venting.

I would love to see your pictures! I'll be building some other sheds soon, and always like to see how the other guy does it. That's how we improve!!

Thanks again,
Tony