Smoothing 9 acres

Eric_Phillips · May 15, 2006

I have about 9 acres of a field that had corn in it three summers ago, nothing has been done to it since. I have been talking with several people about how to smooth out the furrows. The two methods I have heard are to plow disc and cultipack. The other is to just use a back blade. I am looking to get the land smooth enough to run a finish mower over it a couple time a year and to turn part of it into horse pasture. I live in western NY and the field now has weeds, roses and some small willows and other trees trying to grow. Any suggestions?

Eric

Eric_Phillips · May 15, 2006

I have about 9 acres of a field that had corn in it three summers ago, nothing has been done to it since. I have been talking with several people about how to smooth out the furrows. The two methods I have heard are to plow disc and cultipack. The other is to just use a back blade. I am looking to get the land smooth enough to run a finish mower over it a couple time a year and to turn part of it into horse pasture. I live in western NY and the field now has weeds, roses and some small willows and other trees trying to grow. Any suggestions?

Eric

RonR · May 15, 2006

Hi Eric,

Your profile shows your don't own a tractor yet. I'd hit the local rental place and see what they have available. For 9 acres, you could rent something a little bigger. Most people here don't like disk harrows, but if this ground was worked a few years ago, and all you want to do is level it, I think it would work.

You would likely need to work it once, wait 10 days and after one rain, then work it again.

Once you find a price to rent this, see if you have a local farmer that would be willing to do it for near the price of the rental. If you are lucky, you probably can. A medium sized tractor & implement could do the 9 acres in a few hours.

If your local rental place has only small stuff, hiring a farmer is likely cheaper. Is there any ground in cultivation near your place? If so, keep your eyes open and stop the guy when he's in the near field. No hauling, no special trips, might get a good deal.

Hope this helps.
ron

RonR · May 15, 2006

Hi Eric,

Your profile shows your don't own a tractor yet. I'd hit the local rental place and see what they have available. For 9 acres, you could rent something a little bigger. Most people here don't like disk harrows, but if this ground was worked a few years ago, and all you want to do is level it, I think it would work.

You would likely need to work it once, wait 10 days and after one rain, then work it again.

Once you find a price to rent this, see if you have a local farmer that would be willing to do it for near the price of the rental. If you are lucky, you probably can. A medium sized tractor & implement could do the 9 acres in a few hours.

If your local rental place has only small stuff, hiring a farmer is likely cheaper. Is there any ground in cultivation near your place? If so, keep your eyes open and stop the guy when he's in the near field. No hauling, no special trips, might get a good deal.

Hope this helps.
ron

Doc_Bob · May 15, 2006

( I have about 9 acres of a field that had corn in it three summers ago; nothing has been done to it since. I have been talking with several people about how to smooth out the furrows. The two methods I have heard are to plow disc and cultipack. The other is to just use a back blade. I am looking to get the land smooth enough to run a finish mower over it a couple time a year and to turn part of it into horse pasture. I live in western NY and the field now has weeds, roses and some small willows and other trees trying to grow. Any suggestions?

Eric )

I have 15 acres of land that was fallow for years. I had the same problem with uneven ground and weeds. I killed two birds with one stone. I am leasing out the land. I get paid for the lease; the farmer is planting corn alternating with soybeans. Now in year two. Weeds are gone, ground is almost smooth and my taxes have dropped now that the land is being farmed. I guess that is three birds?
Bob

Doc_Bob · May 15, 2006

( I have about 9 acres of a field that had corn in it three summers ago; nothing has been done to it since. I have been talking with several people about how to smooth out the furrows. The two methods I have heard are to plow disc and cultipack. The other is to just use a back blade. I am looking to get the land smooth enough to run a finish mower over it a couple time a year and to turn part of it into horse pasture. I live in western NY and the field now has weeds, roses and some small willows and other trees trying to grow. Any suggestions?

Eric )

I have 15 acres of land that was fallow for years. I had the same problem with uneven ground and weeds. I killed two birds with one stone. I am leasing out the land. I get paid for the lease; the farmer is planting corn alternating with soybeans. Now in year two. Weeds are gone, ground is almost smooth and my taxes have dropped now that the land is being farmed. I guess that is three birds?
Bob

N80 · May 15, 2006

Seems like a box blade would be perfect. Get the stuff mowed down pretty short and then run the BB over it and it should be nice and smooth.

N80 · May 15, 2006

Seems like a box blade would be perfect. Get the stuff mowed down pretty short and then run the BB over it and it should be nice and smooth.

Eric_Phillips · May 15, 2006

Sorry about the old profile. I do own a FarmTrac 270DTC and a 6' KK disc. I have been making some fire brakes around the brush the builder pulled out of a drainage ditch. The disc works fine for that. With some more weight I could probably get the whole 9 acres done but it would also need a drag or something to smooth it off. We are putting up a barn and the wife wants a riding ring so we have been talking with contractors to get all that work done. With my lack of skill with the FEL I would hate to see what damage I would do to the barn or ring foundation. The two ways I spoke of to do the field came from the two contractors I have already talked to. It sounds like either method would work just depending on the equipment they have. I guess I will wait to see if there is a big difference in their bids. I would love the seat time in the tractor to do the work myself but I have too many other projects outstanding and she wants to get the horses home.

Eric

Eric_Phillips · May 15, 2006

Sorry about the old profile. I do own a FarmTrac 270DTC and a 6' KK disc. I have been making some fire brakes around the brush the builder pulled out of a drainage ditch. The disc works fine for that. With some more weight I could probably get the whole 9 acres done but it would also need a drag or something to smooth it off. We are putting up a barn and the wife wants a riding ring so we have been talking with contractors to get all that work done. With my lack of skill with the FEL I would hate to see what damage I would do to the barn or ring foundation. The two ways I spoke of to do the field came from the two contractors I have already talked to. It sounds like either method would work just depending on the equipment they have. I guess I will wait to see if there is a big difference in their bids. I would love the seat time in the tractor to do the work myself but I have too many other projects outstanding and she wants to get the horses home.

Eric

KiotiJohn · May 16, 2006

A great way to do it is to disc it so that all the weeds and grass are mobile, then attach and old bed spring to the drawbar, weight it down, and drag it around and around all over the place. It will break up clods, and disperse the soil to smooth it.

If you want, get an inexpensive boom pole and rig chains from the pole to the springs so that you can lift it with the hitch/pole.

An old chain link gate weighted down also works well.

You may be able to skip the discing if the weight is sufficient to drag the weeds and grass off.
John

KiotiJohn · May 16, 2006

A great way to do it is to disc it so that all the weeds and grass are mobile, then attach and old bed spring to the drawbar, weight it down, and drag it around and around all over the place. It will break up clods, and disperse the soil to smooth it.

If you want, get an inexpensive boom pole and rig chains from the pole to the springs so that you can lift it with the hitch/pole.

An old chain link gate weighted down also works well.

You may be able to skip the discing if the weight is sufficient to drag the weeds and grass off.
John

AndyG · May 18, 2006

Disking and dragging are both good suggestions. I recommend doing both at the same time. Hook a drag to your disk and you will perform both operations in on pass. large timbers and pipes also make good drags.

AndyG · May 18, 2006

Disking and dragging are both good suggestions. I recommend doing both at the same time. Hook a drag to your disk and you will perform both operations in on pass. large timbers and pipes also make good drags.

flusher · May 18, 2006

One of my neighbors sharecrops three 10-acre parcels that are planted in oats.

He uses an ag cat to plow the soil with a 4- share plow. Then he uses a big disk harrow that has a drag harrow attached to finish the job. End result looks just like my vegetable garden after rototilling and raking.

flusher · May 18, 2006

One of my neighbors sharecrops three 10-acre parcels that are planted in oats.

He uses an ag cat to plow the soil with a 4- share plow. Then he uses a big disk harrow that has a drag harrow attached to finish the job. End result looks just like my vegetable garden after rototilling and raking.

Jay4200 · May 19, 2006

( I am looking to get the land smooth enough to run a finish mower over it a couple time a year and to turn part of it into horse pasture.)

Two passes with a Harley rake and it will be a golf course.

Jay

Jay4200 · May 19, 2006

( I am looking to get the land smooth enough to run a finish mower over it a couple time a year and to turn part of it into horse pasture.)

Two passes with a Harley rake and it will be a golf course.

Jay

RobbP · May 24, 2006

I know this thread is a little older, butrather than starting a new one. I have 12 ac which uase to be a potato field - very "bumpy". I too am looking to smooth it out for pasture, house, barn, tennis court (don't ask).

Eric - did you end up letting the contractor get it done for you? How did he do it, or how did you do it? How did it turn out?

Jay4200 - what is a Harley Rake? (I'll look around in the forum)

RobbP · May 24, 2006

I know this thread is a little older, butrather than starting a new one. I have 12 ac which uase to be a potato field - very "bumpy". I too am looking to smooth it out for pasture, house, barn, tennis court (don't ask).

Eric - did you end up letting the contractor get it done for you? How did he do it, or how did you do it? How did it turn out?

Jay4200 - what is a Harley Rake? (I'll look around in the forum)