Leveling an established field

[Jkrph]

I just began working a field that’s new to me. The alfalfa and grass are in decent shape, but the previous owner allowed livestock and vehicles in the field when the ground was wet. As a result the ground is very uneven in a lot of places which makes me go a lot slower than usual.

Is there a good way to somewhat level the ground without damaging the existing stand?

Thank you

 

[M59]

I don't see a solution since you state you don't want to damage the existing stand. Looks like your waiting till after crop harvest to level this field if you intend to work it in the future.

 

[redman135]

Probably the best way, not knowing the soil type, is to use a roller. You need to wait until the ground is soft enough to flatten the high points and not so soft it ruts. Also try to roll on the diagonal to the wheel tracks if you can.
If you run your tyres hard, then dropping the tyre preassure for this job will help avoid rutting(I assume you have a compressor so you can air back up).
If you can say what your soil type is it will help with advice.
You will need to wait until after this cutting at least before rolling.

 

[Yander]

How long are the ruts and how many, What equipment do you have, or are you trying gauge what to get with this question. I remembering reading an old post from @LD1 about run a disk over rough ground followed by a cultipacker. He's the one I would seek advice from since he does this for a living. Most people won't have a cultipacker but maybe you could use a yard roller or have a farmer do it.

The other option would be to bring in dirt, and use a box blade to fill the ruts. Depending on how deep you could possibly get away with running a tiller over them one time and then a lawn roller. I did this t othe neighbors yard, he had driven in his yard and left some 8 inch it worked ok.

You may lose a little of the hay temporarily but it is fixable without tearing up the field.

 

[Jkrph]

The soil is clay loam.

The damage is widespread, at least a third of the field.

I was thinking of a chain or spike harrow to loosen and knock down the high spots, but I’m not sure it will be very effective, even if I add weight.

 

[Jkrph]

What equipment do you have, or are you trying gauge what to get with this question.

I am trying to determine the best equipment and methods.

 

[LD1]

Several ways but you don't mention where you live(area)....what tractor you have, what equipment you have, etc. All important info.

There is not a good way to do it without having to replant. A roller heavy enough to actually do something when the ground is soft enough.....is gonna need pulled by something big enough that just gonna rut it back up

 

[Jkrph]

Several ways but you don't mention where you live(area)....what tractor you have, what equipment you have, etc. All important info.

I likely don’t have the right equipment, but friends and neighbors probably do. I just need to know what to ask for, the right time to do it, etc. I live in the high desert of the Sierras

 

[jeff9366]

The previous owner allowed livestock and vehicles in the field when the ground was wet.........compacting the pasture soil.

Is there a good way to somewhat level the ground without damaging the existing stand?

The alfalfa and grass are in decent shape.

Your light Kioti CK25 can pull a three (3) shank All Purpose Plow 10"-14" deep through any but the rockiest field. APP is a rake with widely spaced tines. It will even the field with several passes and aerate the livestock and vehicle compacted soil. You pasture grass will love the aeration.

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Dirt Dog, Fred Cain and Bush Hog all offer APPs identical except for brand decals.

I speculate Dirt Dog produces all of them.

Dirt Dog - All Purpose Plow / Field Cultivator REVIEW + PICTURES

Dirt Dog All Purpose Plow / Field Cultivator Dirt Dog Model APP 66-5 Total Width 66", Working Width 62", Five Tines, Weight 284 Pounds, Paid $835.00 (2010) Field Cultivator: A Three Point Hitch mounted, secondary tillage implement, used to perform operations such as soil aeration...

www.tractorbynet.com

You cannot pull a Disk Harrow with enough weight to level your field behind a light Kioti CK25. Your tractor will stall.

 

[jeff9366]

Several ways but you don't mention where you live (area). All important info.

jeff9366: I can't figure out how to insert my location into my T-B-N profile....

If you add your LOCATION to your T-B-N PROFILE, so your location shows with every post your author, you will receive responses germane to your operating conditions.

IMPLEMENTS - Availability of implement brands are regional, not national. ie: CountyLine, Rural King, etc.

1. Click on your "illuminated" screen name in upper right corner.

2. Click on SETTINGS in drop down box.

3. On left side of screen, click on ACCOUNT DETAILS.

4. Scroll down to LOCATION.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I certainly would try a big roller if someone locally has one you can borrow, it can't hurt and may help your situation some. What we do down here in my area is in the winter when the grass is dormant, we will tear it up with a disc harrow and then roll it several times with a big roller filled with water and when spring comes your grass will be back although usually with weeds, but we use herbicide to take care of them.

 

[Jkrph]

Thank you all for the good suggestions.

 

[Halftrack]

I have another suggestion but it is VERY moisture (rain) dependent. I have used it to some sucess on my ground, but only if I get the right rainfall. After receiving 1.5" or more of rain, I will aerate the ground with a hollow tine (plug puller) aerator, similar to this:

https://www.equipmentfacts.com/listings/farm-equipment/auctions/216178119/homemade-48?gtmlt=1&_ga=2.5351795.1747824252.1659310174-244332894.1632942696

The aerator I use is just under 5' wide, 10 wheels, and 16 spoons per wheel. I hit the area twice with the aerator, leaving about 18 holes per square ft. Then hope for more rain for those holes to absorb water and hit with the roller. Even with that many holes per square ft, it doesn't seem to bother the grass. The sod becomes a big sponge and moves with the roller after being "tenderized".

 

[jeff9366]

Kioti CK35 Dimensions​

Dimensions
Wheelbase:	66.1 inches 167 cm
Length:	122.2 inches 310 cm
Width:	54.6 inches 138 cm
Height:	96.8 inches 245 cm
Gear Weight:	3042 lbs 1379 kg
Hydro Weight:	3118 lbs 1414 kg
Ground clearance:	13.82 inches 35 cm

If the rear tires on your ((NEW)) Kioti CK35 are filled with liquid
it should have enough weight to pull a five (5) shank All Purpose Plow 10"-14" deep through any but the rockiest field. APP is a rake with widely spaced tines. APP will even the field with several passes and aerate the livestock and vehicle compacted soil. You pasture grass will love the aeration.

If your rear tires are inflated with air you MAY have to drop off one easily removed tine, leaving four.


Here are my reasons for wanting OP location.

ALTIITUDE - Tractors lose 3% of engine power output for every 1,000' altitude increase, over 1,500' Sometimes twenty posts will be made advising on tractor horsepower, then we find OP is a 6,500 feet altitude and is considering a low power, naturally aspirated tractor.

WEATHER - ESPECIALLY SNOW - Blowing snow and mowing are the two tasks that require considerable engine power. If we know an OP is in Buffalo, NY rather than Key West, FL snow needs are apparent.

WEATHER - Large swathes of the country have a continental climate, four seasons, with great temperature variations between winters and summers.
Areas near the coast have varying maritime climates.

PRICING - Tractor and implement pricing and dealer service pricing varies a great deal. Lowest prices are usually in the south. Prices along the west coast and in the northeast are usually highest.

Some states exempt agriculture and forestry equipment from state sales taxes. Florida is one example of liberal ag sales tax exemptions.

IMPLEMENTS - Availability of implements brands are regional, not national. ie: CountyLine, Rural King, etc.

SOIL AND GROWING SEASON - Whether game food plots or market crops, soil and length of growing season(s) are important. Soil type influences tire selection. Soil type influences implement selection.

USED TRACTORS - When the OP posts a location, OP is often referred to good used tractors nearby or provided local tractor listings from Craig's List, eBay, TractorHouse, Machinery Peter or other sites.

Everyone on T-B-N has a screen name, as anonymous as they like. Any other profile information is contributed voluntarily, such as age and tractor brand/model. Relative to the massive data heists reported so often, with names, address, Social Security and credit card numbers stolen, this site is nearly anonymous.

 

[LD48750]

jeff9366: I can't figure out how to insert my location into my T-B-N profile....

If you add your LOCATION to your T-B-N PROFILE, so your location shows with every post your author, you will receive responses germane to your operating conditions.

You will also receive replies that have NOTHING to do with your location and others that have nothing to do with your question.
In most cases.

 

[CalG]

Just a comment to the OP

This is a VERY FREQUENT topic . Do a search of the forum for MANY more good ideas that may apply to your situation.

Click on that magnifying glass icon at the upper right of the screen. Use an assortment of search terms. ;-)

 

[Torvy]

Sometimes, people will add soil to the low spots to help balance things out. It can be done without destroying the crop. It is not a complete or permanent solution, but it can make things better until you are ready to do it completely.

 

[oosik]

This time of year and later into the summer - my soil gets hard as concrete. It would take a D6 Cat and equivalent roller to even make an impact.

I have VERY SUCCESSFULLY used my land plane grading scraper with scarifiers. Set the scarifiers low enough to skerf up any foot prints, ruts, abnormalities, etc. The body of the LPGS will smooth and level as you move along. For me this was a permanent solution.

It is very likely that you will need to reseed these areas.

 

[jeff9366]

This is a VERY FREQUENT topic . Do a search of the forum for MANY more good ideas that may apply to your situation.

T-B-N ARCHIVE:
level field, save grass site:tractorbynet.com

 

[Hay Dude]

Get a delivery of topsoil. Use your loader bucket to fill low spots. Start with the lowest spots first. You don’t have t be perfect.
Then drag a chain harrow or even a section of steel cyclone fence behind tractor to level it out. A landscape rake can also work if you know how to use one properly.
Seed afterwards.

Here is a light version of what I am describing.