Mini Skid Steer Loader

Assess the site and remove obstructions
First, make sure the area you're about to grade is clear and ready for work.

Check the area for things like sprinkler systems or underground piping you could hit during the process. Look for large rocks or any other obstructions, like cables or wires. You should also call 811 before you dig to ensure the area is safe for grading.

Some skid steer attachments can be helpful during this step, like a skeleton bucket attachment for removing large rocks-but we'll touch on attachments in depth later on.

Also, make sure you mark areas where you can and can't dig or grade so everyone is aware of them during the project.

Choose the right bucket attachment
Make sure the bucket attachment you're using is the appropriate size for the machine. The bucket should be two inches larger than-or reach about two inches past-the vehicle's tires to keep the tires from negatively impacting the grading project.

Begin rough grading
Once you're ready to grade, start with rough grading first to shape the ground for the desired elevation and contour. This involves redistributing dirt or ground where needed or adding road bond, gravel, dirt, or other materials into the mix and dispersing it around the area you want to grade.

Rough grading also helps set the slope of the ground so that water doesn't pool in the area you're grading. If you're grading around a building, ensure there is a slight slope away from the foundation so water doesn't pool around it. You'll need to ensure there's a slight slope to prevent water pooling for virtually any project.

To rough grade an area, you'll drive over it, pushing the ground and running over it with the skid steer to flatten it as needed.

Back drag to flatten the grade
Once you've spread out the ground or dirt evenly across the area you're grading, it's time to back drag the bucket attachment.

To flatten the area where you want, point the bucket attachment down toward the ground and reverse the machine while dragging the bucket attachment in this angle. This is also known as being in "float mode," because the bucket rests on the ground without any pressure on it, kind of like it's floating. Using a bucket as a grading blade helps you contour the area without digging in.

Then, when you want to taper the soil you're pulling, you can release the angle so the bucket is flat. You should be dragging material from the high spots to the low spots using the cutting edge of the bucket to match the grade.

Spray the ground with water and make final adjustments
When you feel like you've gotten the ground ready to meet the elevation standards you need through shaping, contouring, and removing clumps and unwanted bumps, the last step in creating the final grade is to spray the ground with water and look for sections where water pools.

Seeing where or if water pools indicates that you may need to keep grading to prevent puddles when it rains or during other events. If you see that water doesn't pool in your work area, you have a finished grade.