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Building my own track -
05-17-2005, 02:31 PM
I'm taking next week off, anyway I've got a section of the backyard that I think is big enough for a track.
It's 51' X 22.5' This is the layout I was thinking of;  Instead of an 8' lane I was going to go with a 5' lane. It will probably end up looking something like this (if I'm lucky);    What do you guys think? 
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05-17-2005, 02:57 PM
very cool!!
Chicago Local 281, protecting lives and property for over 100 years. Lawn sprinklers save your grass, Fire sprinklers save your a$$
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05-17-2005, 03:08 PM
IMO, it feels like a lot of very tight turning. But that's just me.
Are you going to dig up your grass or run it over until it's ground away? What will you be using for lane pipes? Looks like a nice idea, if I could only do the same I would have 1100 sq. ft less grass to cut!
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05-17-2005, 03:37 PM
I'm going to dig down slightly, I don't want to make this a back breaking project so hopefully just a few inches will be ok.
The grass in this area doesn't grow well anyway. Who wants to come over and help me dig? 
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05-17-2005, 05:27 PM
You need a sod cutter (you can rent them for like $50 a day, and you could finish everything in 1 day) Plus no breaking your back
 A sod cutter will cut all the way to the roots of the grass and weeds so stuff doesn't grow back right away. My neibor rented a sod cutter and cut out two big spots in his yard in a matter of minutes. Looks easy to use too. (push just like a mower) I think the track is a good idea although I have a feeling you will wish it is a lot bigger once your done. Most outdoor tracks are like 100x200 ft. .......50x20 ft will leave you wishing for more. Oh and for packing it down drive a 4-wheeler around it many, many times. (If you have one) Otherwise have the kids ride their bikes around it many, many, many, many times. If you use the sod cutter it should be pretty hard packed already. 
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05-17-2005, 06:21 PM
A sod cutter? Do they have them at Menards for rent?
I want to build this on the side of the house, I'm thinking of putting a fence so it will be blocked off. If I get this thing done we'll have to do a track warming party, you guys would do wonders at packing it down in no time.
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05-17-2005, 06:31 PM
I'd be up for a BBQ at your house!
A sod cutter cuts under the grass roots and rolls the sod up as it cuts. You push it like a mower. Yes Menards should be a good place to check it out (or home depot may be better) Oh and take my advice, a sod cutter will work wonders in what your trying to acomplish. You do not want to try and do this by hand and shovel.
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05-17-2005, 06:38 PM
I'm going to call Home Depot and Menards tomorrow, this would be great. The only shoveling I'd have to do would be for (what I call) whoop-d-whoops (the small hills in a row). Not sure if I'll have enough dirt for a big jump, the track is probably too small anyway.
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05-17-2005, 10:30 PM
Home depot rents them and its called a tiller or roto tiller. You can also rent a roller that u fill with water once u get it home and smooth the track. Also with the space that u have would be more suited to stadium trucks cause they have a tight turning radius.
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05-17-2005, 11:03 PM
RCDad, That sounds like a great plan. I agree with Tex though, 50x20 will seem small once you get it cut out. It may be enough for you, the kids, and wife to have a little fun with the Stampedes, but might be too small for anything else. If you can, I would suggest to get some small wooden stakes, and "plot" out your track idea in the grass. Place the stakes, and run a rope around it. Then you can "Test drive" the setup before you dig. You may find that it is all you need for a little fun, or you may decide to try to go a little bigger.
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05-17-2005, 11:32 PM
I've seen people do it when they are putting in a pool. Plot out the area, and look at it for a couple days, and see if you are sure about the location, before you dig, and it's too late....
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