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





My Projects

(projects i'm involved in)

Discover Farms

Discover Farms

Whitewater, US


Followers
Charlie Ryan dhirt Pike Hugo Deslippe Jack Spirko Laurie Branson
Following
dhirt Pike frozen gardener Geoff Lawton Mark Miller Michael Gutschenritter Micheal Casper Robert "One Straw Rob" Frost Scott Yanke

Back to Dale Bunger's profile

Making Swales with a Tractor and Loader

Posted by Dale Bunger over 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)

You must be logged in to comment.

Report on Making Swales with a Tractor and Loader

Reason:

or cancel

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

Report Richard Larson on Making Swales with a Tractor and Loader

Reason:

or cancel

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

Report Laurie Branson on Making Swales with a Tractor and Loader

Reason:

or cancel

Report on Making Swales with a Tractor and Loader

Reason:

or cancel

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

Report Dale Bunger

Reason:

or cancel

Hide Dale Bunger

Reason:

or cancel

Hide Making Swales with a Tractor and Loader

Reason:

or cancel

Report Making Swales with a Tractor and Loader

Reason:

or cancel