Grading and Rock Removal Tips.

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jpete
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Post by jpete » Sun. Jun. 11, 2017 4:28 pm

I'm new to this whole farming thing so I hope someone can point me in a good direction.

I am having a house build and the rough grading is done but I have to spread all the top soil they scraped to do the foundation.

The word most often used to describe the soil here is "bony". Rocks the size of lemons on up to bowling balls. Some larger.

I have a Kubota BX 23 and am spreading things out but it isn't what anyone would call "graded".
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The question is, what would be better, a box grader or a York rake?

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Sun. Jun. 11, 2017 4:56 pm

Definitely a York Rake Jeff.

 
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Post by johnjoseph » Mon. Jun. 12, 2017 8:51 am

Box blades are great to move large amount of earth evenly...Your rake is great to get the finished look one desires via rock removal. Utilizing your bucket to back drag works well to gain a smooth look after all rocks are removed. Good luck with your project...there is satisfaction in the finished product. :)

 
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Post by KLook » Mon. Jun. 12, 2017 8:54 am

You just keep pushing it back and forth until you wear the rocks down to dirt...but never fear, more will migrate in! That is the way of "bony" soil....

Kevin


 
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jpete
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Post by jpete » Mon. Jun. 12, 2017 11:05 am

Been doing the drag back thing but I think the short wheel base of the tractor promotes bumps. I keep going perpendicular trying to smooth things out.

 
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VigIIPeaBurner
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Post by VigIIPeaBurner » Mon. Jun. 12, 2017 11:56 am

Got the some boney soil here plus it just poor. Farming this half of the hill was stopped over 70 years ago. The other half has the good soil. I have a GC 2310, similar to your BX23. I sued the bucket to spread soil I blend with compost, lightly back drag it and work the hydraulics to move it close to smooth. On my later attempts to smooth it out, I move the stick to the float position and make several more overlapping passes. Final grade is done with a 4' York rake.

These pictures show an area behind my house that would grow nothing but moss. I tilled, raked and reseeded 3 times and each time grass failed to stay. This last time, I brought in 30 yards of compost (the pictures below) and spread it all out. So far, the grass looks good after 3 years and 2 over-seedings.

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30 yrds of compost back dragged with the FEL

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Compost spread out and York raked.

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How the grass came in after 2 years.

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jpete
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Post by jpete » Tue. Jun. 13, 2017 9:26 am

Looks good. Guess I'll keep at it. After a little lay off. Right after I took the first picture, I stepped of a log and rolled my ankle pretty hard.

I'm on crutches for a bit. Going to the orthopedist tomorrow. The ER says nothing is broken. Let's hope they are right.
Last edited by jpete on Tue. Jun. 13, 2017 1:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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Post by coaledsweat » Tue. Jun. 13, 2017 10:06 am

You can rent one of those rotary rock removers (forget what they are called) for a day, they do a nice job and will help even it out too. Just need a 3 point and PTO on your tractor.


 
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Post by mntbugy » Tue. Jun. 13, 2017 12:37 pm

Think it's called a rock hound

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Tue. Jun. 13, 2017 12:46 pm

mntbugy wrote:Think it's called a rock hound
BINGO!

 
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Post by Qtown1835 » Wed. Jun. 14, 2017 1:53 pm

Hand pick the bowling balls and rent either a Harley Rake or RockHound. You will be there for days with a Yorkrake. Both the HR and RH will prep soil for seed as well.

 
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Post by cabinover » Wed. Jun. 14, 2017 4:40 pm

What those guys above me said for sure Jeff. From experience using a Harley rake I can tell you this, someone that knows how to operate one may very well be worth the little extra expense than trying to figure it out on your own. Time is money and I would rather pay someone than screw around getting an education with the darned thing.

In other words, I made some awful messes the one time I tried to use one without anyone's helpful instructions. They dig a really quick hole :lol:

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