Please Advise - What to do next

SteveH_CT · Apr 11, 2004

Hey Folks - I've cleared about an acre and a half in total, and I'd like to get it to the point I can plant grass. Right now the ground is fairly level, and it will be better after I bring in more fill and smooth it over with the FEL. With all these roots, and rocks of various sizes from small to football size, I'm just not sure what implement I need to get. My dealer has suggested a "power rake" or something like that - I forget exactly what he called it. I can tell you this - It is hydraulic for tilt and angle, and it requires I add a 3rd SCV. They rent this implement - and that will give me a chance to try before I buy.

Some of you guys from CT know the soil and conditions here. Have you done anything like this? What's worked out best for you?

Thanks a lot for the anticipated advice. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif This is all a dry run for me before I hit our next lot, which is a lot bigger than this one. Right now we have 8 acres... no more than 2 cleared right now, that will change through the summer. I'm learning the tricks of the trade, and having a lot of fun doing it.

lamarbur · Apr 11, 2004

The Harley power rake or it's equivalent will do it the quickest and easiest. Better look around and see what's out there. I am sure there are landscapers in your neighborhood that do it, or ask the dealer what it takes to run one from your own tractor..

SteveH_CT · Apr 11, 2004

Thanks - that may be the implement he was talking about. When I go in for the 50 hour service I'm getting the 3rd SCV added so I can try the power rake. Fast is good - I'm getting married in mid-June and I need this place in ship shape as quick as I can get it there. We're having the reception in our yard - so far I'd guess I've doubled the useable space. But it's getting near time to quite clearing and start planting. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Thanks again,

lamarbur · Apr 11, 2004

someone who owns a power rake can chime in here, but, I believe to buy one, they go a thousand dollars per foot or so.. Maybe I was hearing things, but one guy told me his 6 footer cost like 6800.00 to buy. This, is why they get so much as landscapers. Costly equip and probably just as costly to maintain. Perhaps after you get that 3rd SCV, maybe you can rent one for a reasonalbe cost per day., weekend or ?

SteveH_CT · Apr 11, 2004

Exactly - I'll rent one. I don't have the land, experience, and most of all the $$ to get one of my own.

jimg · Apr 12, 2004

If the roots and rocks are still attached wouldnt some sort of ripping attachment be better?

SteveH_CT · Apr 12, 2004

Probably so - and therein lies my problem. I really don't know a lot about implements. I think a lot of the roots out there are, or will be homeless soon /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I've got a few more trees to drop then I'm moving fill in to even out there general area with the rest of the yard.

Implements sold on the web remind me of fishing lures... they're made to attract the fisherman more than the fish. They all look good, and look like they'd do a great job. But it's the job they do that I am trying to learn more about. Box Blades, Rock Rakes, York rakes, on and on. Too many choices... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

jimg · Apr 13, 2004

I'm opening some new garden space and the soil is very hard and full of rocks. Last night I borrowed a box blade, dropped the scarifiers all the way down and ran them thru the new area. I found a cross hatch pattern worked best. I pulled out a pile of rocks from baseball to almost basket ball size. There are still others that will need a pry bar applied to them. In addition to removing the rocks (so they don't cycle thru my tiller) it also loosens the soil. There were times my tractor (NH 24D) just couldnt pull out whatever the scarifiers hooked. I noticed you have a stronger machine so this problem might be less noticable. Anyway, I was thinking that using a single tooth ripper might be work a bit better. Instead of engaging the soil and rocks w/ four scarifiers I'd just have one plus it could be set somewhat deeper. So, from my experience last night I can see the value of a dedicated ripper. Yes, itll be slower but I think it would do a better job pulling out roots and rocks. Before this I wasnt quite sure if having a ripper would be useful. If you can borrow an attachment that would be the way to go.

If you bury the roots theyll eventually rot and the soil over them will slump. Im experiencing this in my yard at the moment and its a royal pain!!! BTW what are you doing w/ the stumps??

SteveH_CT · Apr 13, 2004

Stumps??? I've got em if you want em /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've been pushing them into an area along the back of our lot that has become my collection area. I've got brush, trunks, stumps, and landscape size rocks in different piles. I think I'll dig a hole out back and bury them eventually... no time right now though.

Your advice on the box blade is really helpful. I've had trouble seeing the difference between some of the attachments out there, and I have been leaning towards the BB simply because of it's ripping ability, and they look fairly heavy duty.

Thanks again for the useful info,

jimg · Apr 13, 2004

No, I have plenty at the moment. Thanx for asking though. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I was planning to buy a box blade later this year and now that I've used one I'm sure thats what I need for the drive and another area I'm reclaiming. In addition I think I might also spring for a ripper. They're certainly inexpensive enough and small to store....and very useful for extracting rocks.

SteveH_CT · Apr 13, 2004

Alright then - Maybe I'll try selling them on ebay... let's see Organic Stools... or Maybe Natural Coffee Tables. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

harleyx142 · Apr 13, 2004

I just put in about 1 1/2 acres of lawn in an area that was previously trees. Initially, I went over it with a landscape rake. This picked up a ton of sticks, vines and rocks. After then using the box blade I went to using the Gill. That worked great. It picked up even more sticks, vines and rocks. Plus it broke up any dirt clods left over. After spreading seed and fertilizer, I went over it all with a 5' piece of chain link fence that I weighted down in front with a 5' piece of 2'x 10'. That worked perfectly. It covered up the seed just enough to keep it where it needs to be. Hope that helps.

SteveH_CT · Apr 14, 2004

That sounds great - I followed everything but the "Gill" - what is that? Any pictures?

Thanks for the help!

harleyx142 · Apr 14, 2004

I don't have a pic right now but mine was 5' wide. the front edge had a row of heavy verticle teeth approx. every 4". About 5 or 6" behind that row was another set of teeth offset from the front set. Behind that was a heavy roller with tines that rolls over dirt clods and breaks them up nicely. "Gill" is a brand name but it may also be called a pulverizer. I would rent it. The farm implement rental place should know what I am talking about. I will try to get a picture.

harleyx142 · Apr 14, 2004

IRON Search Here is the link to a picture of what a pulverizer looks like.

harleyx142 · Apr 14, 2004

I hope that helps. I rented one for $40 dollars a day. Cheap compared to the buying price. If you intend on using it a lot it may be nice to buy one and have it on hand. When you don't use it anymore then sell it. They still go for quite a bit used.