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Dale Bunger 's Profile
Dale Bunger
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Joined:
19/07/2012
Last Updated:
23/11/2012
Location:
Whitewater, WI, United States
Climate Zone:
Warm Temperate
Gender:
Male





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Making Swales with a Tractor and Loader

Posted by Dale Bunger about 10 years ago

Just a quick update to show how I have been making swales with a small Kubota and front end loader.

First I start by laying out the path of the swale with my trusty A-frame level. I built this A-frame so the legs would be 5' apart and I stick in a flag every time I move it across the ground. This allows me to easily measure the length of the swale by simply counting the flags.

Then I start on the uphill side of the swale and skim off the layer of vegetation, usually a few inches deep and a couple of feet wide. I just roll this material slightly downhill.

They I go back and follow the same path, but digging in about 18 deep with the bucket, trying to keep a gentle angle for water to enter. This material gets dumped on top of the vegatation layer and creates the berm.

In this picture you can see a 5 gallon bucket as a reference to scale.

And finally if you aren't bored yet, I have a time lapse video of me cutting this.

Comments (4)

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Richard Larson
Richard Larson : Looks good!
Posted about 10 years ago

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Laurie Branson
Laurie Branson : GREAT post! The "how to" with pics and a video is so helpful.
Posted about 10 years ago

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My Permaculture Qualifications
Other course verified
Rocket Mass Heater Workshop
Type: Other
Verifying teacher: Paul Wheaton
Other Teachers: Ernie Wisner, Erica Wisner
Location: Missoula, MT
Date: Oct 2012
Verified
Restoration Agriculture PDC
Type: Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course
Teacher: Mark Shepard
Location: Viola,WI
Date: Jun 2013
Other course verified
Designing a Public Edible Forest Park
Type: Other
Teacher: Dave Jacke
Location: Helena, MT
Date: Jul 2013
Pri verified
Permaculture Design Course
Type: Online Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course
Teacher: Geoff Lawton
Location: Online
Date: Jan 2013

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