I need some grading help.

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ppw350z

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Oct 18, 2011
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Hey guys! I am in need of some grading help. I had a fella drop off about 120 yards of fill dirt in the beginning of the summer. I successfully spread and graded that 120 yards of dirt in my front yard which is approximately 150x100. When the job was all said and done I had a couple low laying spots. So, in September I had a guy drop another 120 yards of fill. I got it for free and the guy used a small dump truck. He placed the piles in dry areas all over my front yard. In the month of September we had record rainfall, so I was not able to spread the dirt until the beginning of Oct. I attempted to spread and grade the dirt, I was unsuccessful. I have a bobcat 753 wheeled machine and it made a bunch of ruts. I was not able to move the dirt, I would simply sink in the saturated soil. I have posted a couple of pictures of the way that my front yard looks now. Based on the pictures do you think that this is something that I can do with my Bobcat or do I need a larger grading machine? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

Tazza

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Sorry about the lack of pictures, I have no clue how to post pictures from my Mac.
There is no reason why that machine couldn't do the job. It sounds like it needs to dry out a bit first. You will get a few ruts, even when dry but you can clean them up after the bulk of the dirt has been moved.
I assume the dirt piles with the added water has hardened up some, it may be a little harder to get it loose, but it will get there.
 

skidsteer.ca

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There is no reason why that machine couldn't do the job. It sounds like it needs to dry out a bit first. You will get a few ruts, even when dry but you can clean them up after the bulk of the dirt has been moved.
I assume the dirt piles with the added water has hardened up some, it may be a little harder to get it loose, but it will get there.
Then when you get it close beg borrow rent or steal (kidding) a landscape rake aka harley rake and you will have it flat and smooth in no time.
Skidsteer.ca
 

skidsteer.ca

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http://s1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/stumpbusters/?action=view&current=IMG_3407.jpg#!oZZ12QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs1113.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk515%2Fstumpbusters%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3DIMG_3469.jpg
I just copied the browser line and pasted it here and the link works. This forum does not like the "share" links photobucket creates.
As for the yard get it plus or minus 6" and the landscape rake will beat it into shape like 20 men with hand rakes, maybe better.
Skidsteer.ca
 
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ppw350z

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Oct 18, 2011
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Then when you get it close beg borrow rent or steal (kidding) a landscape rake aka harley rake and you will have it flat and smooth in no time.
Skidsteer.ca
Any reccomendations for an inexpensive harley rake? I've been doing some searching and I'm seeing 2-3k. Since I just bought 2 backhoe attachments, I only have about 500-700 to spend right now.
 

skidsteer.ca

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Jan 20, 2006
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Any reccomendations for an inexpensive harley rake? I've been doing some searching and I'm seeing 2-3k. Since I just bought 2 backhoe attachments, I only have about 500-700 to spend right now.
No place to rent one? They are about 8k new and used still bring 4 or more just because they work so well. If you only doing your yard and the ground has all be broke and is free of sod you won't need it for more then a day anyway. Nothing else even comes close to to working as well at busting up clumps on soil, sorting roots and rocks out and leveling soil so it is ready for seed.
Skidsteer.ca
 
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