Removing sod

Tdog · Jul 29, 2006

We are going to have pavers put down to make a sidewalk leading up to our front door, so I wanted to remove some St. Augustine grass that we had been nurturing. It's a job I had been putting off, but it was a LOT easier than I expected, using the FEL. It got a little deep in a spot or two, but for the most part I'm pretty happy with the result. I will say I'm glad I don't do this for a living. Luckily, I only had ~~8' to remove.

Egon · Jul 30, 2006

You did a very nice job. Clean level cut and no holes from spining tires. Good show!

teachdocs · Jul 30, 2006

Nice job! Was the sod slightly moist as you worked?

I find it helpful to curl the tip of bucket back and forth slightly as you advance. It helps fracture the sod and slide into the bucket.

For ground that is contoured or on a hill, the backhoe works great. Remove the 3 teeth and you can work a fairly large area before moving the tractor.
It's a LOT better than a hand shovel in those hard to reach areas!

Tdog · Jul 30, 2006

Yes, I watered it the afternoon before. Luckily, I don't have much more to do, & it is all fairly level ground. I was not greedy & only took a 12 - 18" per 'cut'. And I found out pretty quickly that a 4' wide piece of St. Aug. sod by 18" is darned heavy. So, when laying it in its new location, I did as much with the FEL. Otherwise I had to chop it into smaller pieces.

Jack