digging a level base with a FEL

[n3ckf]

So, i'm constructing a patio in an area that was previously just hard packed ground behind my garage. (full of junk too, but thats gone now).

So i've been using the loader to scrape off dirt and ive been having a hard time making passes level (i only want to remove about 4-5 inches to allow a base to be added in and leveled).

I did discover "float" mode, which seems to make this a lot easier. (and i managed to get the tractor stuck once, but solved that problem).

I'd like to know what more experienced operators do: do you use "float" to scrp and just angle the bucket really carefully to only scrape a little at a time? (kind of like moving snow but with a little more angle). That seems to give the "best" results for me. Before this i'd only used the loader to move stuff around not really for digging.

Thanks!

Machine is a B2601 with the 5' bucket btw.

 

[RCW]

How big an area? 10x10? 20x50?



For a small spot - get it close with the FEL, and then get a shovel...



For a big area, get a box blade, get it close, and then your shovel work will be minimal.



I don't see myself getting a decent patio spot of any size without a box blade....just sayin'. Takes a little learning to work them right, but once you get it, you can do digging, get stuff real smooth, and graded in the proper direction.



I think your B2601 has better 3-point control than my BX does, so should be a piece of cake.

The picture is a final "dressing" I did of my driveway with my BB, after a major rehab a month before.

.

 

[D2Cat]

Removing hard packed soil without a toothbar can present problems, esp. if you're inexperienced.

But learn to recognize when the bottom of your bucket is level with the ground. Usually best done by being aware of the slope of the top iron on the loader bucket. Many bucket have a plate welded on the top where hook may be added. That is the piece to watch. Is it level?

Then, just tilt the bucket down to the front just a little bit, and once you get a divot cut level the bucket again and keep going forward to push that material out. Takes practice, but doing what you're doing is how you learn.

Take you time and experiment. And I would not use "float" position if I was wanting to cut some material off the top. Float is to level with the existing grade.

 

[helomech]

I never use float for digging, only in some situations when dragging the bucket backwards. Digging down level just takes lots of practice. It helps to start on a level surface. If the back tires are not level, you will never get a level bucket.

 

[rjcorazza]

When I leveled off a 25x30 area for a basketball court I used a 5' tiller getting down maybe 4-6" or so, then removed material with the loader. Being now somewhat level I added 4" of gravel dumped / spread with the loader, then leveled by raking.
I made the court for my daughter who never played on it
Coincidentally the court is a 6" slab (rebar reinforced) that is where I want a pole barn.

 

[cerlawson]

Some good ideas above. One machine that I once had taught me a lesson about using a rear blade for any kind of grading, even snow. The machine was a BX with height control for the three point hitch via the simplest and cheapest sort of valve anyone could come up with; just on or off and maybe some smaller flow with so so called "inching" stop for the lever. My advice is use a larger machine with fully adjustable float position.

 

[n3ckf]

I've gotten a rear blade from a friend and the B2601 has pretty good height control on the 3 points so i think i'll use that to level more.

To earlier question the area is 12x27 that i'm grading (but its under a shed roof so i have to be careful about the edges, one side is the garage, the other has the poles that hold up the shed roof.

 

[RCW]

Sounds like you have a good plan.

Some guys will turn the back blade around 180 degrees and use it backwards for smoothing.

 

[Jeff Gordon]

So, i'm constructing a patio in an area that was previously just hard packed ground behind my garage. (full of junk too, but thats gone now).

So i've been using the loader to scrape off dirt and ive been having a hard time making passes level (i only want to remove about 4-5 inches to allow a base to be added in and leveled).

I did discover "float" mode, which seems to make this a lot easier. (and i managed to get the tractor stuck once, but solved that problem).

I'd like to know what more experienced operators do: do you use "float" to scrp and just angle the bucket really carefully to only scrape a little at a time? (kind of like moving snow but with a little more angle). That seems to give the "best" results for me. Before this i'd only used the loader to move stuff around not really for digging.

Thanks!

Machine is a B2601 with the 5' bucket btw.

The best thing I found for leveling my gravel driveway is a landscape rake with a set of guide wheels ,it does a very nice job looks like I just had fresh gravel put on it .