Suggestions needed - How to deal with roots.

[drb1215]

Hi,

I've been working on clearing out an area so that I can build a shed to keep my tractor (Kubota BX23S) in. After clearing out the brush and a few small trees I'm at the point I want to make sure it is nice and level. I do have a scraper blade, but I don't believe it will do any good until I get rid of the roots that are present. What is the best way to deal with roots, other than digging to China to remove them (being new to tractors, there has to be a better way).

The images attached shows the area cleared and the roots I'm dealing with.

Thanks for your suggestions!
-Dan

 

[jaxs]

I'm not aware of a simple solution other than backfilling over roots with sand. A layer of sand beneath concrete is recommended anyhow.

 

[jeff9366]

A Ratchet Rake bucket attachment is good for this type of task, to 4" or so deep.

If you feel the need to drag out roots 6" to 12" deep a Field Cultivator is an excellent implement. I have done a lot of root removal from Florida sandy-loam.

Dirt Dog (brand) produces their Field Cultivator / All Purpose Plow with as few as three spring-protected tines. Also good for pasture aeration IF THE SOIL IN NOT TOO HOOF PACKED.

LINK: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/339095-dirt-dog-all-purpose-plow.html?highlight=

 

[joefromga]

You can use a reciporicating saw to cut them around the perimeter of your forms and just remove them. They are a huge pain.

 

[fishheadbob]

An axe. It will cut off the roots and sever them so not much will grow back. You could hit them with a herbicide to double up on insuring nothing much comes back, then the shed will deprive them of light and water so I wouldn't expect much to sprout.

 

[Egon]

Just start the levelling process. Pull roots as required.

Curious , what type of shed, footings and floor?

 

[drb1215]

Hi Egon - For the footings I'll probably trench, fill with gravel, and use pressure treated timbers. On top of that I'll build a platform with 16" spaced 2x8 floor joists and then a plywood floor on top of it. That way I can place a temporary, soft sided shed on it until I'm ready to build a shed.

I'd go with a poured concrete floor, but there is no way I'd get a cement truck into the location. I could have the concrete pumped in, but that would be a bit costly due to the distance.

-Dan

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Not clear to me why you care about the roots then... Are they preventing you from grading appropriately? Are you worried about incursion into your new foundation? Or does it just look 'unkempt' and bother you?

 

[drb1215]

Hi Luke'sScreenName - The shed will take up about 1/4 of the area cleared, so the rest will be driveway, for lack of a better term. The roots are preventing me from grading the surface, that's all. i'm not worried about them under or near the new foundation, since the base of the shed will be raised for air flow. I could just leave them in place, but would rather be able to smooth out the area.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Egon]

For smoothing just dig out some dirt from the side hill.
If you are putting the floor supports on gravel why not just use gravel for the floor?