Breaking up clay & sod

[JJZ 109]

I posted this question in the Bobcat forum, but that doesn't seem to get much traffic so here goes again:
Recently had some excavation work done. Had some sod scraped out to put down stone for a future concrete pad and dug a short trench to bury an old fire pit. The soil here is pretty much clay. I spread the chunky stuff around into some low spots on the property and back dragged it the best I could with my skid steer bucket.
Thinking about renting (or buying if one were to appear on CL at the right price) something to bust up and smooth out this stuff. Would I be better off with a tiller or Bobcat landscape rake to use on my S185 that does not have high flow?
Thank all!

 

[oosik]

I would start by renting a tiller and see how that works. I have a Troy built Horse tiller and have used it - very successfully - to smooth a lumpy field where I used a bottom plow. This was before I purchased a disk plow. It wasn't a lot of fun and the lumps were not 100% dried clay but they were hard and the tiller "leveled the playing field". I have no experience using a landscape rake.

 

[classacthollow]

How large of an area? if it is just a one time only to get a lawn prepped, I think you would be better off renting a good roto-tiller. just add some sand and maybe sawdust to the soil or compost if it isn't too large an area so that it aerates the soil. you could also use a disk on it for a lot less money if you want to do it over and over again.

 

[Egon]

It kinda depends on the type of clay and the moisture content.

If it's wet good luck.

If it's in dry chunks a disk may be a good choice to break up and mix.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Did you see my post on the other thread about the ratchet rake? It wouldnt be economical for just the one project but I use mine frequently. I bought mine at TSC for about $300.

 

[jeff9366]

Landscape Rake will NOT work.

The flexible tines will just lift and ride over the lumps.

 

[bigtiller]

I posted this question in the Bobcat forum, but that doesn't seem to get much traffic so here goes again:
Recently had some excavation work done. Had some sod scraped out to put down stone for a future concrete pad and dug a short trench to bury an old fire pit. The soil here is pretty much clay. I spread the chunky stuff around into some low spots on the property and back dragged it the best I could with my skid steer bucket.
Thinking about renting (or buying if one were to appear on CL at the right price) something to bust up and smooth out this stuff. Would I be better off with a tiller or Bobcat landscape rake to use on my S185 that does not have high flow?
Thank all!

Hmm, tiller or rake?

I think the tiller would be best for the job. There must be at least one guy close to you that does garden tilling for "beer money".

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I think I'd check into renting a pulverizer. You could probably make several passes over it with a pulverizer faster than you could do it once with a tiller.

60 Inch Soil Pulverizer | Yard Pulverizer

 

[JJZ 109]

It kinda depends on the type of clay and the moisture content.

If it's wet good luck.

If it's in dry chunks a disk may be a good choice to break up and mix.

We've had some fantastic weather for about the last 10 days so it's been drying in the sun & wind. I don't think a disc is an option for me because my tractor is a skid steer.

 

[JJZ 109]

Did you see my post on the other thread about the ratchet rake? It wouldnt be economical for just the one project but I use mine frequently. I bought mine at TSC for about $300.

I did see that post. Just hangin' out waiting for the opinions to roll in. :thumbsup:
I'm not seeing a ratchet rake work too well in this situation. Mostly big chunks of clay & sod that have been dug up and are just piled on top of the ground. Kinda halfway back dragged around by a skid steer bucket. Not sure by any means but I'd think the ratchet rake would just drag the stuff around with busting it up very much.