Taking on a new grading task and need advice and ideas

docmirror · Mar 28, 2017

I've bought some land in central NM which I will be grading, and leveling for a home site. So far, the only grading I've done has been on relatively level ground. This job will be on the side of a hill with about a 8-10 deg slope. As is common, I need to scarf out a section for a level building pad.

My tools right now are; My JD 2010 with a four tine kind of trencher tool on the 3 point, a 6' scraper, a front loader, and an older motor grader with a 12' moldboard and scarifier. Would like to do this job without buying too much more in the way of tools, although it looks like I'll need a landscape rake.

The ground is mixed sedimentary, with some rocky outcrops. I've found a section where I can likely scrape away.

If you have advice on how to attack this, and what works best in the mixed sedimentary layer let me know. I don't want to tip over the grader on myself, and if I have to hire out a dozer, I"m looking at a lot of money I don't want to spend to level the ground.

kcm.MN · Mar 28, 2017

I take it it's safe to assume that your land is also high & dry and well-drained?

Ours was also when we lived in central part. Up here, not quite so dry. For this Spring thaw, am beginning to wish I'd taken up scuba diving!

JOCCO · Mar 28, 2017

Doc: I can't help much but talk to the locals (find the local eatery) Problem with much of this stuff is the soil and ground work is much different in Oregon than say NM. What works in one won't the other.

ohiojim · Mar 28, 2017

hire a local or rent a dozer

docmirror · Mar 28, 2017

(quoted from post at 07:52:49 03/28/17) I take it it's safe to assume that your land is also high & dry and well-drained?

Ours was also when we lived in central part. Up here, not quite so dry. For this Spring thaw, am beginning to wish I'd taken up scuba diving!

Yes, on the side of a mesa. There are trails and roads cut into the area, and plenty of people have scraped out level ground. I may wind up doing the driveway up and down, and just getting a little dozer work to level the pad, maybe 200x400'. Really want to avoid dozer costs as it's a small place, and not much equip avail up there.

Blackhole49 · Mar 28, 2017

I can't imagine not being able to do what you want with the grader. 10% side slope shouldn't be too much for it as long as the rocks aren't huge. Just go easy and work the dirt down hill.

Dune Country · Mar 28, 2017

I have spent a lot of time on heavy equipment,I would park the grader until the pad is near done. Would not feel comfortable on a 10% slope.
As you cut the bank it will get steeper. Keep it at 2:1.

This is not a job for any rubber tired machine

Ask around as others have said, local eatery in the AM is best.
Small dozer would be faster AND safer!!

docmirror · Mar 28, 2017

(quoted from post at 11:10:08 03/28/17) I have spent a lot of time on heavy equipment,I would park the grader until the pad is near done. Would not feel comfortable on a 10% slope.
As you cut the bank it will get steeper. Keep it at 2:1.

This is not a job for any rubber tired machine

Ask around as others have said, local eatery in the AM is best.
Small dozer would be faster AND safer!!

I almost knew this going in. I'm going to have to cut across the side of the slope and push the material down and under(behind) me. The cut pressure will be on the upslope side of either machine, which is not a good plan to start. Further, the fact I'm working in rocky sedimentary means I could catch a modest boulder on the upper wing of the blade and cause real trouble very fast. I can cut in the driveway, and just break out the brush and smooth it over, but as for moving that much dirt and rocks, I'm gonna require some doze work.

Trying to rationalize what I could do with a medium size tractor and a small grader is not going to be conducive to long life. Once I get the path in, I'll just bite the bullet and have it dozed fairly level, then I can go clean it off and smooth with the tractor and grader.

sigh,,,,

Dan Richardson · Mar 28, 2017

(quoted from post at 16:49:53 03/28/17) hire a local or rent a dozer

Yes hire a local with local knowledge. You're talking excavation not tillage.

kcm.MN · Mar 28, 2017

Ah, had another dyslexic moment. I'm in MN - you're in NM. At least I don't feel TOO bad about this goof!

Angle Iron · Mar 28, 2017

You said 8 to 10 degree slope that's something like a foot of rise in 6 foot of run. That does not seem too steep to me. Am I missing something?

Tim in OR · Mar 28, 2017

I vote for Hire it out to someone who does it for a living. They will do it in an hour or two tops , and it will be level enough for your footings on your foundation. I've worried away a weeks worth of evenings trying to do it with my small equipment, Only to watch a real operator with the right size machine do the same thing in less than an hour. My time is worth it.
Tim in OR

Taking on a new grading task and need advice and ideas

docmirror

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kcm.MN

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JOCCO

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ohiojim

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docmirror

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Blackhole49

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Dune Country

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docmirror

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Dan Richardson

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kcm.MN

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Angle Iron

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Tim in OR

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