Grading

[Big T]

I need to grade a slope away from the house for code on drainage. I do not have an angle grader, but it would be impeded by AC and Water filters anyway. Suggestion was to screed it and roll it by hand. Also suggested that I install drain line first, then use the extra dirt to establish and screed the slope. Thought was to use 2x4 at the house to establish the height and another away from it to establish the bottom of the slope and use a board across the two to screed it. Then follow up with a hand pulled, water-filled drum to compact it. Once that is done, fencing can go in.

What do the pros here think?

 

[ak diesel driver]

Sounds like a lot of hand work for someone who has a box grader. Establish the grade where your tractor tires will run, either with dirt or 2xs and use the box blade. You can cut lower than the tractor tires if needed. All your establishing is the slope

 

[Big T]

Sounds like a lot of hand work for someone who has a box grader. Establish the grade where your tractor tires will run, either with dirt or 2xs and use the box blade. You can cut lower than the tractor tires if needed. All your establishing is the slope

Box grader has no angle adjustment to it. It sets a flat level grade.

 

[jrsavoie]

Box grader has no angle adjustment to it. It sets a flat level grade.

If you get the areas where the tires run set to slope. You can set the box and not worry about adjusting it.

 

[Big T]

If you get the areas where the tires run set to slope. You can set the box and not worry about adjusting it.

Yeah I can see that, but I need to go all the way next to the house, so there will be hand work.

 

[DieselAmateur]

does one of the vertical links on your 3pt hitch arms have a turnbuckle/ telescoping function? You can adjust the angle/ pitch of the box grader to a certain extent using that adjustment

 

[Big T]

does one of the vertical links on your 3pt hitch arms have a turnbuckle/ telescoping function? You can adjust the angle/ pitch of the box grader to a certain extent using that adjustment

Yes it does. I am new to this, so all of these are good suggestions. I still won’t be able to do this between the ac unit and the gate, and between the ac unit and the water filters. Will be able to do it outside them and the section below them. This should make it a lot easier.

 

[DieselAmateur]

another great technique for finishing grading is to back drag with the bucket using the float function. Are you familiar with this feature on your tractor? Being relatively "new" it should have it. With the loader all the way down you push the joystick up and it pops into position for the float function, it applies some downward pressure but moves up and down with the contour of the land so it doesn't dig in a ton. Putting a final finish on a grade/ landscape is infinitely easier back dragging and you cover your tire tracks too.

 

[MrMarty51]

With the bucket cutting edge pointed straight down, and, the arms in float position, then getting close to the end of the run, start tipping the bucket so it rides flat against the ground, like in load position.
That produces a nice smooth finish once a little practice has been accomplished.