Grading What to Rent?

[tcnjdeluca]

Yeah I realize this is not about saving money, more of a test drive while getting some work done. The main reason I am renting the tractor is to move 5 tons of gravel and 10 yards of dirt. My tractor does not have a FEL. Want to tackle the land while I'm at it with the proper tools. If I really wanted to save money id rent or hire a skid steer for the gravel and dirt and deal with the land more slowly. They are A LOT more available around here. I am going to try the disk with my own small tractor now -- see how that goes.

 

[tcnjdeluca]

It did not go.

So the disk was left on my neighbors property from the last owner. He has absolutely no use for it so I dragged it over. Everything was working till I hit the soft bulldozed soil. I can confidently say a B6100 pull a disk harrow in this situation. Not even close. **** I might need the bigger tractor just to get the harrow out of there. Live and learn.

Dan

 

[Mike476]

I cleared a few acres before building our home, like you had the stumps removed and the property root raked (excavator). I had burn piles that took a while to burn down, spent the time pulling what roots I could by hand, larger ones with my tractor. By the time I was done burning I used my MF 135 and 7 foot BB to do all the levelling and grading. Two years of mother nature compacting the soil before I brought in the topsoil I needed to "finish" the job, not a patient guy so waiting wore on me but in the end it worked out.

 

[JimP]

Rake or boxblade depends on what you need to do. The box blade will move more dirt and break up compacted areas - but it is tougher (for me) to get a finished look. A landscape rake with gauge wheels moves dirt more slowly and doesn't like compacted dirt, but gives me a more finished look. The rake will also windrow rocks, sticks, etc for pickup. If you rent the rake make sure it has gauge wheels, this makes it much easier to use

 

[tcnjdeluca]

Thanks everyone, I have ordered the tractor with landscaping rake. That is if there is ever a week up here in jersey where it does not rain.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Dan