what implements are needed for finishing a new yard?

[Steverino]

Someone pleased explain the use of a landscape rake to me. I have never seen one used and dont see the value, although there obviously is plenty.

The operative word is rake! Just like a regular hand rake you firstly remove debris such as roots sticks and stones etc. By angling the rake you can pile-up the trash in windrows that you can scoop up with the FEL. If you have the soil screened on site or delivered then you don’t have to worry about this phase. The next process is breaking up clumps and evenly distributing the soil and you can also rake in the grass seed though I prefer to do this by hand. That is about all that I can do with mine.

 

[radman1]

It depends a little on how fast you need the yard done. I did all of my own landscaping while my house was being built. Box blade and FEL were extremely useful to move dirt from one area to another. I had some black dirt hauled in for cover over much clay. I didn't need a rake because I don't have branches or rocks. Do all of the landscaping for retaining walls, flower gardens etc while preparing the yard. Have your trees planted. If you can wait between rains, the clods will break down nicely with a little water. I had sprinklers put in, then fertilized and tilled right before seeding. Rented a six foot Landpride seeder. The sprinklers were great at keeping the ground wet for the grass to grow. Had excellent results. Builder said, I could do the landscaping for his houses. Much of this was done while the final building of the house was done. If you plan it right, it will be much easier than trying to go back after seeding to changes things.

 

[Roto]

I do a-lot of this sort of thing and my all time best implement is the box-land scraper. pull and push dirt and use bucket to backdrag and i finish it off with a chain harrow that i drag around with a light tractor or 4wheeler. All depends on the ground your working with. That makes all the difference.

mike

 

[chrisjbell]

Box scraper with your FEL is my vote. Someone suggested a harrow and that is an excellent suggestion. A "poor man's" version can be something as simple as some chain link fence attached to a 2x4. That'll do a great job of raking in seed when you get to that phase.