What would be the best way to tackle this project?

PaulInMi · May 3, 2006

Haven't been online in quite sometime, hello again /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I'm putting a lawn in for my mom that is pure sand right now. I'm going to put a layer of topsoil over the whole yard. Whats the best way to acomplish this? Take buckets full of dirt to differernt spots in the yard, dump it, then try to smooth it out with the box blade, or rake maybe?
This will be the first time I've tried to add dirt to everywhere in a yard and getting it smooth to plant grass seed..
Thanks in advance.

Paul

3RRL · May 3, 2006

I don't know if that's the best way or not, but working with what ever implements you have that will do.

After dumping each bucket, backdrag it in float before getting another bucket full. Than will keep you from driving over a bunch of "humps" when you boxblade. It will also give you a better indication of how many buckets to get. I'd use your scarifiers down a little ways or the rake to mix it up then use the boxblade to smooth.

EddieWalker · May 3, 2006

Sand sure can be a pain to work in sometimes. And it's terrible for lawns!!!

After dumping the load, I'd backdrag with the FEL, to smooth it as good as you can while spreading it.

I don't really like the box blade for too many things so it's rarely used.

I'd drag a heavy log or something like a metal frame or some chainlink fence around the dirt after you get it down. This will smooth it all out and give you a real nice finish.

Eddie

rdln · May 3, 2006

Are you me? seriously, I will be at my moms saturday morning moving topsoil as my neighbor drops it off at the bottom of the driveway 15 or so yards at a time.

he will bring 7 loads and I need to have the pile cleaned up b4 he drops the next
Should be no problem and the asphalt driveway will be spared.

Her house was built high and lots of local sand/gravel was brought in as fill. House was built about '65 and there has never been very nice grass all year long.

I would dump piles in front of me starting at the farthest point of problem area and back up to get next scoop (dont drive over piles) and then set BB teeth down one notch below stowed position push piles in reverse letting teeth drag and act as "gauge wheels".

And definetly use rake last. play with angle on rake and drive in large circles.

ronjhall · May 3, 2006

My neighbor had a new septic field put in a few years ago. After the contractor finished he had topsoil brought in. We spread the piles with the FEL and leveled it some by pull the FEL bucket back wards. Then we used the landscape rake with gage wheels to level it out to 2" deep. Came out great. Rake with gage wheel is the trick if you don't want to do any hand work except near any obstacles

KiotiJohn · May 3, 2006

Any time I need to spread anything, I want to make it as spread as possible from the beginning. I load my bucket and transport to the drop spot, go in reverse while feathering the loader dump and spread it going backward rather than dumping a pile that I'll have to spend a lot more time on to get smoothed. Takes some practice.

After that, to level, the best way I've found is to drag it, as has been said, with an old bed spring (weighted if need be) around and around, or a long timber. I find the springs or an old chain link gate work best as they break up globs well, and the dirt can pass through easily and distribute well. Low cost solution as well.

I have a boom pole (<$100) on the 3pt hitch that I use to hook a chain from the springs or gate to the pole so I can lift it.

John

PaulInMi · May 4, 2006

Thanks for the tips guys, I have a rake w/wheels i might use too, the big thing im dreading is all the obstacles(trees, flower beds she has put in already ect)

KiotiJohn · May 4, 2006

( Thanks for the tips guys, I have a rake w/wheels i might use too, the big thing im dreading is all the obstacles(trees, flower beds she has put in already ect) )
Yes, that would make my suggestion for dumping while backing a little trying I would imagine.

In those cases where you don't have a lot of room, you'll have to get creative with the loader functions. A lot of times you can just put the loader down to the top of the pile and operate the dump function which will pull the bucket back toward the tractor, knocking down the pile some, then reverse a little to pull back what you can.

It can get really fun trying not to back into something behind you while doing all of this.

At times, you're probably just going to have to get off the tractor and use some hand tools in those up-close situations.

Your results should probably be a good reward though.
John

PaulInMi · May 4, 2006

I can't tell you how many things I have demolished over the years either by backing into it or by swinging whatever rear implement I have on into something /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif....

KiotiJohn · May 4, 2006

( I can't tell you how many things I have demolished over the years either by backing into it or by swinging whatever rear implement I have on into something .... )
I never hit anything.

I never backed into that tree two times breaking of two individual tines from the landscape rake.

I never broke the entrance to my shed by leaving the ROPS up.

I never smashed those flower pots by making a swinging turn too close to them.

All-in-all, I haven't had too many problems! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
John