[Premium08]

I've been working on clearing my yard so I can get some grass growing. Most of it was tall brush and pine trees in 1/4 to 3/4 diameter. I've got everything cleared out, but I'm left with the small stumps from the pine trees. The area is hilly with humps and valleys. I'd like to grade it smooth, also have a couple larger stumps ID like to dig up. The back yard o have larger rocks and years of leaf build up ID like to get pushed back past the property line up the woods. So I'm asking what are options on getting this done?
View from front driveway

View looking out from house

View from the front of the yard looking to back part, white stake on left is property marker.

Standing at property line, view with the rocks and leaves ID like cleared.

 

[de-nagorg]

A skid-steer loader with an optional grader blade.


AKA BOBCAT LOADER


ED

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Hire a Dozer, with an operator in the seat, 'n have them do it for ya,......

Pushin' the debris off yer lot may not be a Good idea,....

Who ever owns it may not want it, 'n bugs, 'n critters will breed in it,....

Probably better to burn it up, or export it,.....

 

[dd57chevy]

Depending on your soil , you can do a fair amount of grading/scraping with a "bobcat" . It's usually easier if the bucket has the scarrifier teeth on it .

Stumps are never easy . I've dug out medium sized ones by hand .

 

[red92s]

Tracked skidsteer with a Harley Rake, or a soil cultivator attachment, and an experienced operator.

 

[DexterII]

I am inclined to agree that dozing the leaves off may not be the best idea, and you're only seeing the rocks that are on top of the soil, so I think you would find that dozing them someplace else is only going to unveil more. I think I would start with the rocks. It wouldn't require much precision, so a great place to familiarize yourself with a skid steer, and a weekend with a second set of hands would make a big impact. Once the larger ones of those are out of the way, I would approach the leaves with a mulching mower, Billy Goat, or something along that line. Sure, the leaves that you have now may have been allowed to accumulate for a number of years, but it looks like that will be an ongoing contention, so simply pushing them aside addresses only today's situation, but the process starts over in the autumn. So, in this regard, I would be looking at something to buy, not rent, whether a mower, chipper, whatever. Once the rocks and leaves were cleaned up a bit, I would seriously consider cutting the stumps as low as possible, and let them take care of themselves. Yeah, they'll take a few years to break down, but digging them out is going to take a fair amount of time. Just a couple cents worth to consider.

 

[Premium08]

I mean I guess if rent equipment I would be able pile the leaves up and burn them or get rid of them, it's just to thick to rake. I figured I would get the bigger rocks sticking up and then put some top soil down. Only thing I have now is a John Deere 42in cut. And the few stumps I've seen are less than 10in diameter.

 

[DexterII]

As far as just getting all of the leaves consolidated, you might be able to rent a walk behind blower, but, still thinking this is going to be an annual thing that you have to deal with, unless you would actually buy something like that, you might be better off trying out a backpack or conventional blower, to see how it does for you. Can't speak for them, but, assuming you were serious about getting one, I would not be surprised if one of your local dealers might be willing to loan you one for a day or two. We have a lot of leaves to deal with as well, and I can tell you that mulching them with a mower has been far easier than it ever was to burn or otherwise deal with them. Just something to keep in mind if/when it's time for a new one.

 

[Bondo]

you might be better off trying out a backpack or conventional blower, to see how it does for you. Can't speak for them, but, assuming you were serious about getting one,

Ayuh,.... We've got a Stihl backpack blower for work,... It's a Powerhouse,...

It would allow ya to blow the debris into windrows you could then rake into piles, 'n burn off,...

The the ole heavy semi-rotten stuff don't blow up with the backpack blower,...
Leave it there, 'n bury it with the dirt yer gonna import,....
It's almost dirt anyways,....

And the few stumps I've seen are less than 10in diameter.

A skidsteer ain't really the right tool for stumps,....
A Hoe is Best, a dozer second,...

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Many of the stumps can be pulled with a tractor as this Black Walnut was.
I pull several at one setting by utilizing a 1/4" grade 70 chain in conjunction with that clove hitch knot I taught you how to tie.

A Heads Up: those trees and thickets Maw Nature grew there was to control soil erosion so you might consider keeping that in mind as you beautify your property. If done correctly it will look nice when finished.

 

[Premium08]

Well I got some options now, another goal is clear a flat spot for a future shed build in the 12*16 range. Can't decide if I want to build it in the side yard or in the back near the well.

 

[Premium08]

Talked to dad today, turns out he's in the process of buying a tractor. He said he already has a blade attachment from borrowing his buddy's in the past. So he said he would bring it over sometime after he gets it.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Cool,..... Dads are sometimes like that,.....

 

[Premium08]

Ayuh,..... Cool,..... Dads are sometimes like that,.....

Yup same dad that had two John deer lawn mowers so he gave me one to use as long as the other doesn't break. He got one of them from grandpa because he moved into a subdivision where HOA takes care of Lawns.

 

[de-nagorg]

Ayuh,..... Cool,..... Dads are sometimes like that,.....

And so are uncles.

Have fun learning to operate it, as someday it might be yours.


ED

 

[Premium08]

And so are uncles.

Have fun learning to operate it, as someday it might be yours.


ED

If he lets me operate it, i'd like to get some seat time but I just want it done. In return he gets all the rocks he wants for his yard. He likes landscaping with them.

 

[de-nagorg]

You can use those rocks to create a retaining wall around the area for your level shed pad.

place the rocks in a dry stack wall, fill the area with dirt, pack it level, install the shed.

Also those rocks can be dry stacked around your property line , just like they did in the old days to define "mine from yours".


ED

 

[Premium08]

No neighbors right now, empty lots on either side of me and the back is woods that I don't see anybody building on anytime soon

 

[Bondo]

No neighbors right now, empty lots on either side of me and the back is woods that I don't see anybody building on anytime soon

Ayuh,.... I think the point is,.....

It's a creative way to use the rocks, without exportin' 'em,.....

 

[Premium08]

Understood, dad loves using rocks in his yard so I'll let him take what he wants and use the leftovers