I have a 1/4 acre vacant lot in Central Florida in an undeveloped area. Two of my neighbors are about 4' higher in elevation according to Google Earth, though I stood there and don't see it or flooding. Not looking to pay for a survey or build anything permanent at this time – I can build up with fill for a proper house pad later. There is also apparently 2' dip in the center of my lot where I'd like to park my camper in the rainy summers. The soil is a very soft white sand that is like butter for digging but compacts very well and seems to be very porous.
I was wondering if a BobCat Skit steer alone would be able to grade the lot BY PUSHING my own sandy soil up from perimeter and front to a 50×50 elevated pad in the center back. I'd like to have a 5' difference between the plateau and ditch on the perimeter and the front and don't mind a ditch around the perimeter for security purposes either and would work it into my landscaping plans.
Possible and any idea what labor on a job like this might cost and take in hours if no materials need to be fetched?
Not to scale and just to get an idea.. rough and exaggerated visual below. Gray line is where my level currently is, Red is my property line, green is finished product.
something like this in much softer sand: Youtube video
Best Answer
A bobcat can be used for grading. In my horse turnouts I use a bobcat as they are small enough to move around where I can’t get my big tractor in. I pull backwards this fills the tire trenches where pushing you will leave tracks or ruts. Remember a bobcat is a skid steer so if using a tracked model (it will need tracks in the sand) pulling makes a better surface and you won’t get stuck or bog down as often.