Ag services from gravel

​We at Gravel Grading & Excavating take great pride knowing that the work we do helps our customers, especially those who work hard year-round in the agricultural industry. Our ag services include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Grading & Excavating 
• Water, Sewer, Septic 
• Waterways & Ponds
• Land Clearing & Demolition
• Erosion Control
• Farm Drainage & Tile
• Aggregate Hauling
• Pavements

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Grading & Excavating
Our team provides grading and excavating for new structures, buildings, pavements or other improvements: site prep & development, tree clearing & grubbing, grading (rough & finish), various pieces of equipment to complete the project, and backfill. No matter the job, the property has to be fully cleared, shaped, and smoothed out before the project can begin. That’s where our grading and excavating services come into play. Excavating focuses on removing obstacles and changing the shape of the land. If there are any stumps, boulders, or debris on the construction site, an excavator ensures every piece is removed. Once the land has been cleared of debris, it’s time for the grading to begin. Grading moves on the surface of the ground to push the topsoil into an even layer and reduce the amount of pits and bumps throughout the property. This creates a safe, clean slate for contractors to build upon.

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Water, Sewer, Septic
Our underground water & sewer utilities services for new and existing infrastructures include: site prep, trenching, culverts, storm sewers, and septic systems. Gravel Grading & Excavating is licensed with the state of Iowa for septic system installation, and we follow proper protocol and follow-up with the DNR to make sure that our projects are both functional and safe for the surrounding environment.

In the past our crew worked with a local farmer to determine the proper location for a new septic tank and drain field on his property. We used our excavating equipment to dig out the pit for the tank, then we lined the tank’s trench with gravel and level-tested to ensure the proper fall to the pipes for optimum drainage. Our crew was then able to set the tank in place and begin assembling the drain field.

We can also work with property owners to develop more efficient ways to drain water through sewer systems if necessary (see: Medical Associates parking lot blog). ​

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Waterways & Ponds
Our crew provides grading and construction of lakes, ponds, & levees. From site prep, water detention, and working with the existing creeks/streams to fill the ponds.

• In November 2018, crew member Brian Noonan reshaped a waterway for local friends at ManCo Farms to help clean up trenches created from water runoff.
  
• This past year, we worked with another Cascade local to build a pond on his property. Although he already had the beginnings of a pond on his land, our crew worked efficiently to grub out the area, grade up the banks for a deeper water level, and clear out the initial sediment and plants. From there it was up to the existing creek to naturally fill the pond basin.
  
• When Z & J Farms in rural Dubuque county needed some help improving water runoff and detention around their farms' outbuildings, they called up Gravel Grading & Excavating to do the job. We started by regrading the troublesome spots to create a water detention pond. We then trenched in ag tile to help direct water that accumulated in the pond and drain it at a rate that would reduce soil erosion. The result was a detention pond that functions just as our crew and our friends at Z & J would like.

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Land Clearing & Demolition
Gravel Grading & Excavating provides complete or selective demolition, clearing, grubbing and disposal to accommodate new improvements. Whether your clearing or demolition requirements are to clean up your property, remove unwanted brush, trees or structures, or installing a new structure, we can handle your clearing and demolition needs.

​Each project starts with a plan for removal and disposal. Cleared debris is burned, chipped or hauled to disposal sites depending on municipal requirements and/or site conditions. Proper demolition permits are secured and disposal plans are developed for building and other structure demolition.  Materials are recycled, where feasible, and building debris is removed, hauled and dumped in approved, permitted, disposal facilities.

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Erosion Control
Installation and maintenance of erosion control measures include: site prep, tree clearing and grubbing, soil conversation, retention/detention structures, terraces, and Gabion baskets. Although erosion rates on steep exposed slopes are higher than on flat or gently sloping areas, all areas of exposed soil are vulnerable to erosion. If erosion control is ignored on larger areas of nearly flat or gently sloping land, it will be possible for significant amounts of soil to be eroded. Clearing, grading, and vegetative restabilization in these areas can be timed so that the extent of exposed area and the duration of exposure is minimized. Another project to cross off your list in the fall and winter season, is cleaning and reshaping terraces in your farm fields.

​After the wet spring and fall of 2019, you may have experienced erosion and washouts or left deep ruts from your heavy equipment. Our crew at Gravel can come in to reshape and strengthen these terraces so you can keep up with your harvest.

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Farm Drainage & Tile
Underground agricultural drainage improvements: GPS mapping, culverts, fabric checks, silt fence, and rip rap. Ag tile refers to a drainage system to remove excess water beneath the soil’s surface. In agriculture, this helps farmers achieve optimal soil moisture level for crops.

Our crew goes in with our equipment to trench and install lines of plastic pipe to collect and move water to waterways and detention systems. By clearing and grubbing out freely-growing trees and shrubs along the fence lines and waterways, farmers can gain acres for additional planting which increases their production. W

​hile tiling can seem like a significant undertaking, there are several benefits for Eastern Iowa farmers including improved crop quality and production, reduced soil evaporation, well-aerated root systems, enhanced productivity, and prevention of harmful salt buildup. Our crew comes in after the crops are taken out to place these drainage lines, which allows your fields to be ready to go when it is time to plant in 2020. 

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Aggregate Hauling
Dump truck hauling of all aggregate types: dirt, sand, gravel, concrete removal, and manure storage. Aggregate is a word describing rocks, gravels, sands, etc. This means aggregate is a collection of materials forming a whole.

​Our crew is specialized in hauling aggregates to make loading and delivery at the project site easy, while maximizing the volume of material that is hauled with each load. Whether you need a gravel delivery or frac sand delivered to the field, we can help!

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Pavements
Our crew can provide pavements for all project types including: parking lots, streets, sidewalks, hog confinements, and cattle buildings. In order to prepare the areas for paving, we focus on diverting runoff before clearing and grading beings, and properly compacting the exposed surface area with crushed aggregate to reduce erosion potential.

​At Gravel Grading & Excavating, we implement the use of laser grading. Laser grading is a process by which a level or specified slope is attained by using laser attachments and tools. These attachments can easily be installed on a variety of our equipment from skid loaders to bulldozers to help us electronically check the grade as we work, making us more efficient and accurate in our job.​

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Thank you farmers for your business! We are proud to serve you and assist with any of your agricultural services needs. Until the frost sets in, our crew will be there to excavate, doze, and move the earth for you. Call us today!

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