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lunatic359

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
As the saying goes there are many ways to skin a cat… (Why a cat? Who skins a cat?).

My lawn has become uneven over time. I have one spot where an above-ground pool sat for years. We filled it up with a bobcat and over time it has sunk 3-4 maybe even 5 inches.

There are three things, quick, cheap, and easy. I know I can’t have all three but looking for the best way. This isn’t a job that can be done by hand… I know that. But I’m wondering, how to go about it? I know my 3 choices. I definitely have to rent something whether it’s a bobcat or one of those walk-behinds. So, I can 1) Cut up the grass, roll it up, level it out, roll grass back down. 2) Just till the yard, level, and seed/sod. 3) Or forget cutting up grass or tilling and just lay down dirt, level, and seed/sod.

Maybe there are more options but those are the ones I’ve come up with. An additional question would be what would I use to level, a plow, bucket, rake, or box?

Also where do you get the topsoil. I've heard you can get it from Home depot, nurseries? I live in MA if that makes any difference.

Thanks.
 
#2 ·
lunatic359 said:
As the saying goes there are many ways to skin a cat… (Why a cat? Who skins a cat?).

My lawn has become uneven over time. I have one spot where an above-ground pool sat for years. We filled it up with a bobcat and over time it has sunk 3-4 maybe even 5 inches.

There are three things, quick, cheap, and easy. I know I can't have all three but looking for the best way. This isn't a job that can be done by hand… I know that. But I'm wondering, how to go about it? I know my 3 choices. I definitely have to rent something whether it's a bobcat or one of those walk-behinds. So, I can 1) Cut up the grass, roll it up, level it out, roll grass back down. 2) Just till the yard, level, and seed/sod. 3) Or forget cutting up grass or tilling and just lay down dirt, level, and seed/sod.

Maybe there are more options but those are the ones I've come up with. An additional question would be what would I use to level, a plow, bucket, rake, or box?

Also where do you get the topsoil. I've heard you can get it from Home depot, nurseries? I live in MA if that makes any difference.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Would be nice to know how big of a yard you are dealing with.

If its just a few inches/spots here and there no need to cut up the entire yard,just call up a place that sells top/soil/mulch/stone and get it in bulk(no Home Depot or Lowes) then seed the spots like you said.Dont need to make more work for yourself that isnt needed.

Measure all the low areas for square footage,and then take that and the depth you need to figure out your cubic yards.(calculators all over the net for this)

Order the dirt,grab a rake and shovel and get to work.(or if the yard is big,rent a Bobcat).

You also will need a plate compactor if you dont want it to sink again.You can rent one from Home Depot for about $90 for the day.This piece of equipment is essential.

You need to fill in the spots an inch at a time,then compact after every inch.It doesn't take long but needs to be done if you want to miinmize the settling of the dirt.

Do all that and you should be good to go.
 
#3 ·
lunatic359 said:
As the saying goes there are many ways to skin a cat… (Why a cat? Who skins a cat?).
Click to expand...
That saying comes from catfish...you have to skin a cat in order to eat it.

How big a pool was it? Home Depot rents sod cutters. Could you rob similar top soil from a spot on site to fill in hole or would you have to have a load dumped?
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Thanks for responding...

The pool was about 15 ft round and I would say half of what we filled sunk maybe 5 inches, more or less. There are other dips that is about 2-3 inches lower and about 3-5 feet wide and 5-10 feet long. Then there are some round slops that when cutting lawn on a rider the blades hit the ground as I go over them. And there is no other way to cut it but head on.

The yard is about 30x33. (judged by how many pools is able to fit in the back yard).

I would need to order dirt, I wouldn't be able to pull some dirt from other spots.
 
#5 ·
lunatic359 said:
Thanks for responding...

The pool was about 15 ft round and I would say half of what we filled sunk maybe 5 inches, more or less. There are other dips that is about 2-3 inches lower and about 3-5 feet wide and 5-10 feet long. Then there are some round slops that when cutting lawn on a rider the blades hit the ground as I go over them. And there is no other way to cut it but head on.

The yard is about 30x33. (judged by how many pools is able to fit in the back yard).

I would need to order dirt, I wouldn't be able to pull some dirt from other spots.
Click to expand...
Oh thats nothing,you dont need a Bobcat or anything for that.

Just make sure you compact it every once in a while and then seed it,you will be good to go.
 
#6 ·
bigslick7878 said:
Would be nice to know how big of a yard you are dealing with.

If its just a few inches/spots here and there no need to cut up the entire yard,just call up a place that sells top/soil/mulch/stone and get it in bulk(no Home Depot or Lowes) then seed the spots like you said.Dont need to make more work for yourself that isnt needed.

Measure all the low areas for square footage,and then take that and the depth you need to figure out your cubic yards.(calculators all over the net for this)

Order the dirt,grab a rake and shovel and get to work.(or if the yard is big,rent a Bobcat).

You also will need a plate compactor if you dont want it to sink again.You can rent one from Home Depot for about $90 for the day.This piece of equipment is essential.

You need to fill in the spots an inch at a time,then compact after every inch.It doesn't take long but needs to be done if you want to miinmize the settling of the dirt.

Do all that and you should be good to go.
Click to expand...
I don't want to sound bad....:nono:But... don't you dare use a PLATE COMPACTOR on your lawn. Use a roller half filled with water. A plate compactor is for asphalt work NOT lawns. Unless maybe, your making a pitcher's mound, and we all know what grows there.
 
#7 ·
betmr said:
I don't want to sound bad....:nono:But... don't you dare use a PLATE COMPACTOR on your lawn. Use a roller half filled with water. A plate compactor is for asphalt work NOT lawns. Unless maybe, your making a pitcher's mound, and we all know what grows there.
Click to expand...
He wont be using it on his lawn,on the new dirt.

I doubt he would need to compact his grass that is already there.

And yes you can use a plate compactor on other things besides a driveway,like a patio base or dirt that needs to be "compacted".Matter of fact you should NEVER do either without doing it at various points or the area will end up settling......like his did the last time he did it.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Wrong Wrong Wrong, We do Not want compacted soil, why do you think so much effort is put into AIREATING, On a seed bed for a lawn you want to roll the soil to pack it, NOT compact it. It is true that he should roll it as he adds more soil, But we don't want to squeeze all the air out and pack all the voids where water and nutrients need to go. ROOTS need air "&" water...Heed my warning DO USE A PLATE COMPACTOR on your LAWN seed bed. I have Never seen anyone use a plate compactor to prep a seed bed.....Ever.

OH, and when I said LAWN, I meant that whole little enviroment...Where the grass grows....If I ever saw someone come near any of my soil with one of those machines, he'd be gone in 1 beat of the heart.

We have a plate compactor, we use it to patch asphalt, Compact Paver beds, and tamp pavers, it has lots of uses....but not on our L A W N s nor the ground it grows in!!!

P.S. I didn't say GRASS
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Compacting it seems to make sence. That way the ground doesn't dip again or doesn't dip as much over the years. I think it was because of the sand that was used for the pool we just ened up covering it.

Then I would just use a roller for the top layer and aerate it before seeding. But doing this by hand would seem to be a lot of work. I did a patch in the front yard that was 10x5 and took hours by shovel 'n rake.

If I were to get a bobcat or dingo, which would be best to get a bucket, plow, box, or rake to push the dirt around and level it?
 
#10 ·
bigslick7878 said:
Would be nice to know how big of a yard you are dealing with.

If its just a few inches/spots here and there no need to cut up the entire yard,just call up a place that sells top/soil/mulch/stone and get it in bulk(no Home Depot or Lowes) then seed the spots like you said.Dont need to make more work for yourself that isnt needed.

Measure all the low areas for square footage,and then take that and the depth you need to figure out your cubic yards.(calculators all over the net for this)

Order the dirt,grab a rake and shovel and get to work.(or if the yard is big,rent a Bobcat).

You also will need a plate compactor if you dont want it to sink again.You can rent one from Home Depot for about $90 for the day.This piece of equipment is essential.

You need to fill in the spots an inch at a time,then compact after every inch.It doesn't take long but needs to be done if you want to miinmize the settling of the dirt.

Do all that and you should be good to go.
Click to expand...
Compact it then, but don't be too suprized when the water takes forever to soak into the soil. And the grass has trouble setting deep roots, your property, your choice.
 
#11 ·
betmr said:
Compact it then, but don't be too suprized when the water takes forever to soak into the soil. And the grass has trouble setting deep roots, your property, your choice.
Click to expand...
You obviously don't know how soft fresh top soil is when you first out it down without compacting.It HAS to be compacted if you are trying to maintain the grade.

IT WILL SINK...he already stated he is trying to AVOID that like last time he did this.

You can compact it till the cows come home and it wont be anywhere close to how compacted the turf that is already there is.
 
#12 ·
No biggy, do it how he likes, I could care less, if this is the confirmation the man is looking for, OK.

I have spent many years doing grounds work, and handled many different soils. if I'm makin' a pitchers mound I'll use a compactor, if I'm making a seed bed I'll use a roller....Let's see Rent a soil compactor, to compact the soil, Then rent an aerator to loosen it up ???

It's obviously a mess to begin with, you got different sub-surfaces, here and there, the sand should have come out to begin with. This I can assure you is going to be "The never ending project" Do I care, not anymore, I just tried to give some sound professional advice, Take it or Leave it....I hope this helps.
 
#14 ·
I would also agree with betmr about not using a compactor. Yes you can use them, but I would not. I would also be VERY careful about using a skid-steer as well. Unless you are extremely careful (and I mean extremely) you will cause more damage to the existing turf by skidding the wheels. Rent a couple of wheelbarrows, grab some beer and have some buddies come over and help!
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Damn guys... Tensions? lol...

Yes the sand probably should have been removed way back when we first filled in the hole/dip. But back then I didn't know any better, and it's too late now.

When i said I would compact it layers at time, i didn't mean i would be using a plate compactor just a roller.

And yes I know what you mean when you say a skid-steer will tear up the lawn... oh yes it will. But I'm not worried about that.

I appreciate the responses and concerns. Just need to figure out what to rent... bobcat, dingo, small tractor, and what accessory, just a bucket, or should I get a rake or box scraper?

Thanks again!
 
#18 ·
I have used both the Harley and the Cultivator for the dingo. If bare or almost bare dirt the harley is better, if grassed then the cultivator works best. Either will do the job though.

I like the finished product of either tool.
 
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Discussion starter · #19 ·
Cool, thanks guys. For some strange reason I get the feeling and urge that I just want to tear up the whole back yard and start fresh...

Now if I can just find a local store to rent a dingo... lol....

Anyhow, thanks again for your responses.
 
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