I had some tree work done and they piled the debris in my pasture as planned. However when the big a$$ graple truck came to pick up the debris, he made some poor decisions on where to drive and how to turn around (I wasnt there at the time). So he created some really big holes and some long wheel ruts. The ground is solid and has grass growing on it, but it was no match for the weight of that truck. I have had some dirt delivered that I plan to fill in the holes and areas that he did the 3pt turns and set the outriggers. Anybody have any experience with repairing the wheel tracks? I have a small tractor and loader to move the dirt with. Would using a set of discs be enough to loosen the compacted areas? I also have an old large well tank that I am thinking about somehow using as a roller but I have to dream up a way to pull it. The ground is sandy loam and it gets mowed weekly, so its in good condition. But with the ruts and holes it beats me to death driving over the areas with my ZTR.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Wheel ruts repair
- Thread starter gregs
- Start date
Pen & Wrench
Well-known member
Well, a disc will dig into the first few inches of soil, depending on how severe of a disc you have. If the ruts are more than a couple inches deep it seems like you would need some type of ripper that would go much deeper. Probably adding new soil and then maybe using a disc to smooth that out makes sense to me. You may be able to do a pretty good job of smoothing it out with your loader bucket, but a disc or some type land leveler or even pulling an I-beam or similar implement to just smooth it out might work pretty good. If the ruts are not more than 2 or 3 inches deep then a disc might actually work pretty good. You may have to re-seed the area to get grass to come back the way you want it to.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I usually just take down the high spots, add soil where needed and seed it. Seems to work well enough
Youngandfree
Well-known member
The tree company doesn't repair damage they caused?
619DioFan
Well-known member
A pick , shovel and wheelbarrow. Of course I don't own a tractor.
Monza Harry
Well-known member
I'm of the thought that the roller on moist soil will push it back from where it came. Multi step process. Start out with the roller being only partially filled. Then increase weight with subsequent rollings until smooth, if patient may only need some touch up overseeding. Should be easily towed with lawn tractor, or ATV. Harry
I usually just take down the high spots, add soil where needed and seed it. Seems to work well enough
Yup. My feet & body weight are enough to knock down the high spots in a wet yard usually. Shovel some dirt into the low spots and pack down with my feet. Then seed it.
Fill the ruts and holes in shallow lifts, tamping between each lift of dirt. You can use a tire to tamp if the ruts are too long to tamp by hand. This should minimize settling over time and you can seed. Run your roller over the seed to maximize ground contact and speed germination. If birds are an issue cover the seed with straw.
Captain Spaulding
Well-known member
I’ve fixed a lot of such ruts over the years with a tractor and hauling dirt. Turns out, Mother Nature is pretty good at it. A few heavy rains and a little freeze and thaw can make things like new.
I'm guessing that I will have to fill the long ruts as well as the "churned up" areas. The truck was so heavy that it compressed the soil but also kinda pushed it up on the sides as well. My brother has a single tooth subsoiler "plow" attachment that I may try first. Its not very wide and the single harrow blade is supposed to bust up the ground in a narrow area. So if I can follow the wheel ruts it may work. He also has a 10' roller that may help.
nadogail
Well-known member
Grass Patch is your friend
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Depending how deep the ruts I know there are videos on Youtube for lawn leveling using sand. Obviously, leveling is for shallow low areas and ruts will be more "concentrated" in narrow areas.
csp
Well-known member
If you live where there's frost in the ground every winter it will take care of the ruts. Unfortunately you're most likely past that season if you do live in a colder climate.