Skid Steers

Among common types of heavy equipment, skid steers have emerged as a valuable asset for grading and leveling work. Skid steers can be equipped with a variety of attachments, such as buckets, rakes and grapples, making them uniquely capable at handling complex grading tasks.

The most commonly used attachments for grading with a skid steer are buckets. Bucket attachments are great for grading because they can be used like a blade to level uneven surfaces. They can also be used to scoop up and transport rocks and other debris, as well as for laying new layers of gravel or topsoil.

In addition to their versatility, skid steers are highly maneuverable. Their compact form factor and zero-radius turning capabilities allow them to navigate job sites nimbly and efficiently. 

For grading work, tracked models are common, since they offer superior weight distribution and can operate on mud, soft soil or uneven surfaces more effectively.

Grading With a Skid Steer: The Basic Steps

The steps for leveling terrain with a skid steer are straightforward:

1. Select The Proper Attachment. Make sure you choose a bucket that is wide enough for your skid steer. For rough or rocky soil, you may need a bucket with bucket teeth.
2. Make Rough Grading Passes. Begin by excavating soil from points that are too high, and relocating it to points that are too low. Once you’ve built up your top layer to the desired elevation, move excess soil into a soil pile.
3. Establish Reference Points. Once you’ve made your initial rough passes, install grade stakes that will help you establish the level of your grading. 
4. Address High and Low Spots. Identify areas that require additional attention, such as high or low spots. Use the skid steer to redistribute material accordingly, gradually achieving a consistently level surface.
5. Make Fine Grading Passes. Finally, begin the process of fine-grading the project site by flattening out inconsistencies and removing debris from the terrain. Use a bucket in the lowered position as a grading blade, operating the skid steer in reverse to even out rough soil.

Other Heavy Equipment

While skid steers are commonly used for grading and leveling, other types of heavy equipment can be useful, too.

Motor Graders

Motor graders are specifically designed for grading work. They excel in creating smooth and precise slopes, establishing accurate cross slopes, and fine-grading large areas. They are commonly used for road construction, highway maintenance and creating level surfaces for building foundations.

Best attachments: The motor grader itself is equipped with a specialized blade, often referred to as a grader blade or moldboard. This blade is adjustable and can be angled or tilted to cut, move and shape the soil during the grading process.

Ground conditions: Motor graders perform best on relatively flat or slightly undulating terrains. They are effective on compacted soil, gravel or asphalt surfaces. However, they may struggle with highly rocky or extremely soft and loose soil conditions.

Bulldozers

Bulldozers are versatile machines used for various tasks, including grading. They are particularly useful for rough grading and pushing materials such as soil, rocks and debris. Bulldozers are commonly employed in land clearing, site preparation and construction of embankments or trenches.

Best attachments: Bulldozers utilize a blade attachment known as a straight blade or a U-blade. These blades are fixed and do not provide the same level of adjustability as a motor grader. However, some bulldozers may have blades that can be tilted or angled to a certain extent.

Ground conditions: Bulldozers are well-suited for challenging ground conditions. They can handle rough and uneven terrain, loose soil, rocky surfaces and forested areas. Their powerful engines and robust undercarriage allow them to operate on diverse terrain types.

Excavators

While excavators are primarily known for their digging capabilities, they can also perform grading work. Excavators are commonly used for site preparation, bulk earthmoving and creating trenches. They can be utilized for rough grading, shaping slopes and removing excess material during the grading process.

Best attachments: Excavators can be equipped with grading buckets or grading attachments that feature a flat, wide blade. These attachments provide the ability to scoop and grade materials effectively.

Ground conditions: Excavators are versatile machines that can adapt to a range of ground conditions. They excel in environments with loose soil, gravel or clay. However, they may face challenges with very compacted or highly rocky surfaces.