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When I show my guys how to do grade, I tell them the flatter the bucket to the ground, the finer the grade and more compact the dirt is. So, when you start have the bucket tilted up on a 45 degree angle to get a rough grade and drag backwards. Always backwards. Then put the bucket down to like 20 degrees and grade it again. Go for a third time with the bucket close to level, but not perfectly level. This will be a better grade and pack the soil better. You'll probably have to keep running over it at different angles to get the whole area smooth. Its hard to type it versus showing someone.
I forgot to mention that I always keep the machine close to level, so when you are doing your 45 degree pass, you'll have to raise the arms to get the bucket that steep so the machine stays level-ish. With a wheel machine you want to keep the front wheels just off the ground, so the weight will be on the bucket.
I'm pretty new at this, but I find that using a toothed bucket is sometimes helpful, (ESPECIALLY in gravel). Too, do the best you can to spread it fairly evenly to start w/; you can do a fair job by tipping the bucket in little flutters as you move forward, then back drag as suggested above.
Always work with lots of dirt. You can always find a home for it if you have extra. If you try to level ground using only a little bit of dirt at a time you will be there forever.
dozer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2009
- Messages
- 126
Like it has been said. Practice, Practice, Practice. There is no amount of awesome advice that will make up for hours on the machine. Get in, Find a dirt pile and begin. Its the best part of owning a skidsteer. Good Luck Dozer
wright const
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2010
- Messages
- 33
I always use a tooth bucket ,that way if the soil get to compacted use the teeth to loosing it up and grade again like the previous thread said grade in multiple directions for best results.
If you are blowing out truckloads of dirt, like a major project, or large piles for a house backfill. I dive into pile edge and push alot, bucket full or more too roughly where you need it , Then as above , back drag back. I f you see a project in progress watch the operater and that should give you some insite.
I'm running into a problem. I'm hauling in black dirt (more like peat) and spreading it on my yard. What I've been doing is carrying the dirt in the bucket, then I dump and back up to sort of spread it. Then I tilt the bucket and back-drag. What I'm finding is that using the bucket the dirt gets really, really compressed and hard. So then when I go to drag the yard, a lot of the dirt is so hard it doesn't move. I am wondering if there is a batter way. Should I: A) Put dirt into small piles around the yard and try to spread it by pulling to drag around that yard. or B) Rent a landplane or is there a better way?
Try spreading it as you drive forward. Tip the bucket, and as soon as dirt starts to drop out, move forward, tap the "down" control so a little more falls, etc. You will find (unless the crap is nasty and clumps up) that you can do a half-butted job that way. When I first back blade, I keep the bucket at a pretty sharp angle just so I DON'T put pressure on the dirt, for the reason you stated. And go slowly when it is rough; at least I do, 'cause I ain't super fast in the reaction department. I only put pressure on the dirt during the last few passes. Peat is not a lot of fun to spread, as it can get lots of clumps in it if the shredder is not doing its thing, and that makes blading a PITA.
