Best way to re-grade roadside?

[MattN03]

I'm clearing my 5 acre property to build on and I'm trying to re-grade approximately 450' of roadside. I cleared it all by hand using a chainsaw and brush saw. I'm back grading with my B3200 to pull up a lot of shallow rooted bush honeysuckle which is working pretty good. However, I'm wanting to make the hillside less steep so I can mow with my zero turn instead of weedeating. There are a lot of tree roots through the area so I probably can't take a whole lot off. I've got the B3200, BH76, a 5' box blade, & 6' landscape rake to work with. Other than a dozer to cut it down, any suggestions on using what I have to cut the grade down?

Here are a couple pics of where I'm working.

 

[sheepfarmer]

I guess the first question is whether or not you'd like to keep those big trees. If you disturb their surface feeder roots any more than you have they may die. You could take them down. A dozer would fix the grade and then you could plant some others, but it would take a while.

 

[MattN03]

I'd prefer to keep the trees.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Hmm that looks pretty steep and next to a paved road. I vote for a ground cover of some sort. There are several threads for "mowing steep slopes" but it looked like you'd have to have your tractor in the road part of the time no matter what you did. People drive like crazy on some of these country roads, so maybe not worth the risk.

 

[William1]

You have very limited choices.
Lose the trees and grade back or fill in front to reduce the pitch (use a 12' long 2X4 between the road and a few high spots to see if this is viable) or create a sort of retaining wall (ugh, 450'-expensive) and back fill.
You do not have a lot of room, you must retain the drainage ditch on the edge of the road.

 

[bcp]

You also may find that you are working in the road right-of-way. The county, etc. may object.

Bruce

 

[cerlawson]

Not to throw cold water on it, your B tractor can do the job but it will be one heck of a long project time. Leaving trees and working in between is likely to kill them since roots can go a long ways. If they stay, you still will have steep sides of the mounds needed to hold the trees.

I really is a job for an earth moving contractor. This from an 89 year old civil engineer for what it is worth.

 

[D2Cat]

What Sheepfarmer said, plant some ground cover. Look at something like Crown Vetch. Holds the dirt, grows just about anywhere, flowers in summer, no maintenance.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cro...=nnxZWe3fC6mGjwTdsqnABw#imgrc=i4Os8vspOpfnzM:

 

[MattN03]

What Sheepfarmer said, plant some ground cover. Look at something like Crown Vetch. Holds the dirt, grows just about anywhere, flowers in summer, no maintenance.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cro...=nnxZWe3fC6mGjwTdsqnABw#imgrc=i4Os8vspOpfnzM:

Thanks, that might be my best option. I knew I was limited but it's always good to see others have done on OTT

 

[Tooljunkie]

I could ask my drainage expert buddy, but i know what he will say. Want to keep the trees,dont mess with them. A 4:1 slope is about as steep you want but mowing it will be difficult. So planting cover to stabilize soil is your best option.