biggles5128 Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I have decided to put a strip on the farm at home. As can been seen from the photo, the area is basically level , however as this paddock has been previously ploughed and then seeded and returned to pasture there is small hips and hollows down the selected site. I have considered running the grader down the strip to just take off the high spots, another thought would be to either plough over and over or rotory hoe then drag smooth with mesh or similar. Clearly I need the grass to grow back quickly and thick. Has anyone faced a similar situation and if so, what did you do and what was the end result?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilot Pete Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 top dress with sand or chrusher dust to fill in the hollows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggles5128 Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 top dress with sand or chrusher dust to fill in the hollows Considered that however that would be hundreds of tonnes at a huge cost to bring in extra material rather than use what is already there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightyknots Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I have decided to put a strip on the farm at home. As can been seen from the photo, the area is basically level , however as this paddock has been previously ploughed and then seeded and returned to pasture there is small hips and hollows down the selected site. I have considered running the grader down the strip to just take off the high spots, another thought would be to either plough over and over or rotory hoe then drag smooth with mesh or similar.Clearly I need the grass to grow back quickly and thick. Has anyone faced a similar situation and if so, what did you do and what was the end result?? I'm not sure if you're in a high rainfall area. But one way to promote thicker grass to cushion the landings is to use quite a bit of nitrogen-based fertiliser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XAIRVTW Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I have decided to put a strip on the farm at home. As can been seen from the photo, the area is basically level , however as this paddock has been previously ploughed and then seeded and returned to pasture there is small hips and hollows down the selected site. I have considered running the grader down the strip to just take off the high spots, another thought would be to either plough over and over or rotory hoe then drag smooth with mesh or similar.Clearly I need the grass to grow back quickly and thick. Has anyone faced a similar situation and if so, what did you do and what was the end result?? Just looking at your picture first thought would to run a grader blade to level off as much as possible in doing that I would put a slight fall on both sides for water run off. See what grass grows back you might have to sow some grass seed in places, but from your picture it looks like you have a good growth happening in your soil. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly_tornado Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Whats wrong with using the grader? I'd just make sure that you plant the right sort of grass so you aren't mowing it all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggles5128 Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 Thanks for the replys, yes we are in a pretty good rainfall district, generally drought proof most of the time. My first thoughts were to run the grader over it which seems to be by the posts a good idea, I just wanted to make the right choice and be educated by others experience. I think that getting the grass to grow back may not be much of a issue, with good seed and fertiliser and allow the sheep to graze on it to ease the cost of mowing. (The cattle are a bit heavy footed and could bugger the strip when wet). Cheers to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernsey Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Thanks for the replys, yes we are in a pretty good rainfall district, generally drought proof most of the time. My first thoughts were to run the grader over it which seems to be by the posts a good idea, I just wanted to make the right choice and be educated by others experience. I think that getting the grass to grow back may not be much of a issue, with good seed and fertiliser and allow the sheep to graze on it to ease the cost of mowing. (The cattle are a bit heavy footed and could bugger the strip when wet). Cheers to all. You are correct biggles, cattle are a problem so I will do the right thing and not land on your strip with my Guernsey Cow until you have a bitumen runway. Alan. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggles5128 Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 Good man thanks for that Alan, how did you get your cow to fly anyway? my pigs only just make it within the C of G envelope.... Danny. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernsey Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Hey diddle diddle the cat and the fiddle and the cow jumped over the moon, the little dog laughed to see such fun and the dish ran away with the spoon. Cows have been flying for years especially on 'leap' years. Alan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SAJabiruflyer Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Depending neighbours that might complain (if you have any) your Airstrip could well be a "test plot of grass, rectangular" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I have decided to put a strip on the farm at home. As can been seen from the photo, the area is basically level , however as this paddock has been previously ploughed and then seeded and returned to pasture there is small hips and hollows down the selected site. I have considered running the grader down the strip to just take off the high spots, another thought would be to either plough over and over or rotory hoe then drag smooth with mesh or similar.Clearly I need the grass to grow back quickly and thick. Has anyone faced a similar situation and if so, what did you do and what was the end result?? Do nothing to the paddock, just get one of these. Kiwi. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyhi Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I have decided to put a strip on the farm at home. As can been seen from the photo, the area is basically level , however as this paddock has been previously ploughed and then seeded and returned to pasture there is small hips and hollows down the selected site. I have considered running the grader down the strip to just take off the high spots, another thought would be to either plough over and over or rotory hoe then drag smooth with mesh or similar.Clearly I need the grass to grow back quickly and thick. Has anyone faced a similar situation and if so, what did you do and what was the end result?? Definately the best to grade it with a slight fall off to the sides. Then tow a sheet of mesh behind a car to level and pick up any small sticks. I then seeded mine with a 40 to 1 mixture of Siberian Millett and Couch seed. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightyknots Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Do nothing to the paddock, just get one of these.[ATTACH=full]19938[/ATTACH] Kiwi. This Kiwi plane with 31" tyres can land on boulders, uneven grass or even water ...so it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentreau Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Definately the best to grade it with a slight fall off to the sides. Then tow a sheet of mesh behind a car to level and pick up any small sticks.I then seeded mine with a 40 to 1 mixture of Siberian Millett and Couch seed. Very interesting flyhi, did you have to install any drainaige in the channels which were created on both sides ? . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyhi Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Very interesting flyhi, did you have to install any drainaige in the channels which were created on both sides ?. No it just drains away naturally. I have taken off one morning after 50mm of rain overnight in a GA aircraft. (AA5B) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggles5128 Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 Flyhi, your strip is a credit to you, appreciate the pics, it seems that this is the way to go. I would like to put C172 tyres on the J however this is not possible under the rules, at least in Australia. If I can obtain the same result as Flyhi I will be more than happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boingk Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 I've been looking into this for some land I own outside of Goulburn. I'd reckon a good moderate grading for a ploughed field would do it, and then plant some hardy grass such as Buffalo... or that matted kinda broadleaf stuff they use on sports ovals thats tough as hell and drought resistant. If you can talk to a local landscaper they would be able to give you a good idea. Essentially you're after a sportsfield surface. Personally, I love those big tyred hoon mobiles that seem so popular in Northern America. Would love to do an RAA version! Cheers - boingk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentreau Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 As someone with no experience of earthworking, could one of you explain what is involved in 'grading' a field ? Does this require serious earthmoving machinery, or is it something your local farmer could do with his tractor and some attachments ? I live in a rural area, so there are plenty of farmers around, but before I ask them to do anything, I'd like to know what's involved. Thansk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 If you can establish grass all over that will be a good thing. Obviously you have to mow it. If the grass wears away in some areas you will get extra erosion there and will have to repair the low parts. I had a grader (tractor towed) on my vineyard and it really levelled the surface well. Do it after rain. Lethbridge has grass strips. I think they topdress the surface. Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boingk Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Gentreu - Basically you get a big thing with a tilteds blade on it, a bit like a large razorblade for the ground - and tow it over the ground you need graded with a tractor. It levels out imperfections and provdies a nice even surface to work with. Cheers - boingk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nunans Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 I've recently gone though this process and l think what you need to do depends on what you want to fly. l fly tail wheel and did no grading or drainage or sewing. l just moved a fence, dug a few rocks out and slashed the grass. but by all means the more you improve it the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boingk Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Bingo, nunas, thats pretty much what I'll be doing if/when I get my rear into gear. Also depends on what I end up with after the minicab and what sort of takeoff performance it has! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggles5128 Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share Posted December 12, 2012 As someone with no experience of earthworking, could one of you explain what is involved in 'grading' a field ?Does this require serious earthmoving machinery, or is it something your local farmer could do with his tractor and some attachments ? I live in a rural area, so there are plenty of farmers around, but before I ask them to do anything, I'd like to know what's involved. Thansk. A grader will do a better job than say a blade behind a tractor or a dozer because the blade sits midship between front and rear wheels which are further apart than a tractor thus ironing out more of the ups and downs... at least thats my experience anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggles5128 Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share Posted December 12, 2012 I've recently gone though this process and l think what you need to do depends on what you want to fly. l fly tail wheel and did no grading or drainage or sewing. l just moved a fence, dug a few rocks out and slashed the grass. but by all means the more you improve it the better. Will be operating tri gear out of there, mainly the Jab 230. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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