Best way to level a large area?

[CoyPatton]

In my opinion, unless you are an extremely skill operator, you are very unlikely to get within 1” of level across 20 feet much less 40 feet, using a non equipment based laser level. Even with equipment attached level (levl adjust the excavating), the fine tuning adjustments required to get 1” are difficult to achieve unless using high end equipment and skilled operators.

Now for some helpful info.
-find a spot in the middle, where you can work both directions. Put out grade stakes marking out small sections. Work highest are to the lowest level. Add a few inches at a time to the low end and compact that down as you go.
-work small sections, about 2x wide as the implement you are using to move dirt. (If your implement is 5’ wide, do no more than a 10’ wide section). Even smaller may be easier to deal with
-to get that 1” from one end to the other over 20-40 feet, some hand work with a transfer shovel or rake may be required. Watch some concrete videos to see how they move concrete.
-watch how you back fill any area near the pool, I inherited a pool (above ground) with a house purchase once that had backfill around part of it. When new liner was needed that had to be removed as pool wall collapsed. What a pain with a deck around the pool.

 

[Deanes]

I would think an essential tool is a drag that levels. Use your tractor to dump about what you need for the area, then use a drag to level it. For the drag, a properly adjusted box blade can work, but its not very maneuverable in small areas. I would make a simple drag out of wood, or welded pipes or maybe a section of weighted down chain link fence. 4-5' wide, maybe 4' long. For the hitch, just chain or cable to the front corners. Then pull it around with something maneuverable like a Zero-turn mower, 4 wheeler, or golf cart. It's essential to use random patterns and round and round. You will be amazed how level you can make loose dirt.

 

[JeepHead]

I appreciate seeing all the different ideas on a good way to do this.

 

[JimsTractorWork]

Don't overthink this. The only thing that really needs to be level is the perimeter where the side posts are placed. The center or ends are often dug deeper to make a deeper pool for diving.

 

[JeepHead]

Don't overthink this. The only thing that really needs to be level is the perimeter where the side posts are placed. The center or ends are often dug deeper to make a deeper pool for diving.

I have metal straps that attach to one side of the pool and go to the other side of it. The rounded ends of the pool don't have these so leveling there isn't critical and is the only place I could create a "deep end".

 

[Rockbadchild]

It's hard thing to do trust me I know and there is no Easy way to do it. What I do is I will paint dots at the right elevation (by digging down to it or filling to it) then dig or fill to the dots and expand the area...(I would agree that filling is easier) once you get close you finish by hand with a 4ft rake (landscaper rake), a string can help or just many dots and you go by feel by filling the gaps to the dots..

 

[bcp]

Far a large area rake I used two angle iron bed rails bolted into a T-shape, with a couple of small diagonal braces for stability. Walk around dragging it behind you, instead of the usual raking motions.

A 7-foot rake finds dips and rises a 3 foot landscape rake misses.

Bruce

 

[YoungMark]

A common way of final levelling is to spread quarry dust (aka cracker dust) over the area where the pool is to be installed to fill any holes, depressions or even trenches. A length of straight timber with a spirit level taped to the top edge can be used to identify any low spots. A plate compactor run over this fill ensures settlement won't occur given that the underlying ground is stable. Once the pool framework is in place on this layer, a layer of yellow bricky's sand (aka fatty sand) with a high clay content can be spread over the interior where the liner is to sit. This type of sand provides a firm smooth base for the liner and is tamped by hand, usually using something like a foot square steel plate welded to a long piece of pipe for a handle. A small radius (e.g. 6") can then be formed in the sand where the floor meets the wall of the pool.

 

[BackRoad]

Or...

You could just let them go swimming in the local rock quarry!

'course, they'll need to check each other for blood suckers! (He said reminiscing...)