Site Leveling with FEL

[peterhorniii]

I am trying to correct a 16" variance in a 30'x100' plot where we're going to put a hoop house. I cut into the higher areas and deposit the dirt from them onto the lower spots, then I've been floating the blade and pulling it over everything to smooth it out. I've cut the variance in half, but can't seem to get everything within 8" of difference. Any suggestions for leveling technique with a loader?

 

[Jeepnford]

I tried this once with a skidsteer before I had a tractor and it was difficult,but I was inexperienced. A friend with a box blade came over and helped. One thing that might help is to set a masons line with a line level on it then drive some wooden stakes next to string so stake tops are even with string. Then add dirt to top of stakes. Hope this make sense.

 

[peterhorniii]

Thanks! That does make sense and I might have to go try it after lunch. I've been using a laser level, which is great for figuring out how much you're off, but I think it's my inexperience with the tractor that is making this hard. I'm going to have to buy a box blade soon anyways to maintain our driveway. It just seems like that's the ticket.

 

[tommu56]

I got a cheep lazier level from HF (it washes out in the daylight) and pound stakes in a little high in a 10 x 10 grid
Then at night I set level up ar the elevation I want and and aim it to a stake go to that one mark it with a pencil back and point level to nest stake and proceed till I get the whole area done.

Some times in working trenches with my hoe put the level a little higher than I want bottom of trench and use the bucket as my target

tom

 

[westbrooklawn]

It involves a little manual labor, but if you have a laser level you can drop a portion of a bucket full of material every ten feet or so and then level the top of that small pile to your desired grade using a shovel and the laser. This gives you several reference points around your pad that you can "fill" to. This technique will get you to within 1-2" of where you need to be.

 

[Obed]

Thanks! That does make sense and I might have to go try it after lunch. I've been using a laser level, which is great for figuring out how much you're off, but I think it's my inexperience with the tractor that is making this hard. I'm going to have to buy a box blade soon anyways to maintain our driveway. It just seems like that's the ticket.

I have a very difficult time trying to finish grade with my FEL. The FEL bucket side-to-side level follows the level of tractor tires so it's easy to get ruts in the grade. With a box blade, the blade can float side to side somewhat independently of the level of the tires and is much easier for me to get a good finish grade the way I want it. The BB takes some practice using but it's fun to experiment and learn how to use the BB.

Obed