Well when I get an idea like this I usually get right to work with what iv got on hand and it gets done before anyone even has time to plan out the "right way to do it" get 2 or 3 helpers and itll be done in no time

I use a rear tine tiller, wheelbarrow, and shovel. They all fit through the stockade fence gates.

ASV RC30 or PT-30 Small track loader 3500 lb. Footprint of a 4x8 sheet of plywood. 31.5 hp

Last night I framed the area with 8x8 treated timbers. Sorry, no pics yet. Once I got the space framed and the timbers level, I discovered I really only need to remove the dirt from two edges. And, after soaking pretty well, the dirt scooped up pretty easily. I got about 1/3 done and will work on this every night this week. To me, its exercise and I'm a bit impatient to wait for the weekend.

I also have a mini-roto-tiller and I will try that tonight.

That said, my gravel (3/4 crushed granite) is being delivered on Thursday and I should be ready to start spreading by this weekend. I will looking into renting a mini skid for this as I know it won't be easy. 20 years ago I had 19 tons of gravel delivered for out front and I told the guy to just dump it in a pile - that was a mistake as it took me 3 months to spread it and I was a lot younger then.

BTW, this is for an alley behind my house - actually a driveway alley that dead ends at my garage.

We think alike.

Looks great...nicely done.

One tip that I tell folks on their first couple of runs with a mini-skid: Keep the RPM's low on the engine to start, the bucket will move slower as will the skid itself. Nothing good happens fast in the beginning and you can get acquainted with the skid better.

I have a lot of hours on front end loaders. I prefer 1500 to 2000 RPM on my tractors when working in close quarters.

Learn the bucket reverse level move and you are good to go.

Enjoy.

Seems to have an edge indeed. I was probably looking at the MT55 which by comparison to the others mentioned is kind of a lightweight. Anyway, the MT is a track style and the S70 is on rubber, so for dirt work the MT's might be easier to work the dirt leaving less tracks.

Making progress. I'm surprised how much I've gotten done with a shovel. It helped that I bought a 4 wheel gorilla dumping wheel barrel. Working every night till midnight...and I can still stand up straight :)

Need to scoop out a little more dirt around the edges and dryout the area. Then I'm going to rent a "Jumping Jack" compactor. After that, plastic liner, geomesh grid, and crushed rock.

Here's the area:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1582224039.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1582224065.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1582224259.jpg

Good grief! I must just value my back more. I would have paid $200 for a rental and got the job done in a few hours.

I totally agree but I can't rent anything until the weekend. This is my evening exercise project. And, I've got family coming to town this Saturday so I'm feeling like I want it to be somewhat completed.

exercise is good

oh, BTW - would you like to move 1.5 tons of rock down my hill??

You mean you have help arriving and did the work yourself? :D

My neighbor has a walk behind skid steer. Here he is doing some drainage work in my backyard:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1582232936.JPG

I'll have the area graded and prepped by the end of this weekend. I plan to rent something for moving the gravel.

Slip the dump driver $20 to tailgate spread it.

It's never that easy....gravel is already here. Dug out about another inch last night and took the advice here and rototilled first. I'm almost don't but man....I'm sore today.

Progress:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1582307152.jpg

Problem Area - Hard as Hardpan:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1582307203.jpg

Need to remove about 1: more
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1582307240.jpg

too late now but i always wanted to do something in this type of pavers. I actually tried casting my own once but it didnt work with regular concrete. got a pic of your fancy wheelbarrow?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1582326382.jpg

This is the one that I bought. Holds about double a regular wheelbarrow.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1582333429.jpg

Actually, this is the exact model. A little bigger than my previous pic

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1582333693.jpg

looks pretty stout. Iv got 3 or so regular wheelbarrows different sizes and quality. I actually prefer the cheap ones because they are lighter but cant take as much material. The main thing i dont like about any of them is the single wheel they tip over when loaded heavy. I always wanted to add another wheel to see how it works with two but never get around to it