Services
Earthwork
Overview
Moving and shaping earth to exact spec
Kolb Grading is one of the largest and most well-known names in excavation and earthwork construction. From mass excavation and rock removal to finish grade, our crews move, balance, and compact earth to your specifications, using the largest equipment Caterpillar builds down to the smallest Bobcat skid loader. Because we self-perform the scope, schedule and quality control stay in our hands, and we complete your project on time and to plan.
Full scope
Earthwork, engineered end to end
Earthwork isn’t just moving dirt. It’s hitting design elevations, balancing haul, and compacting to spec. Kolb self-performs and manages the full sequence, so nothing falls between subcontractors.
Excavation & Mass Grading
Large-scale cut-and-fill and mass excavation across any terrain, held to design elevation with GPS machine control.
- Mass excavation & cut-and-fill
- Rough & finish grading
- GPS machine-controlled grade
- Cut/fill balance & haul management
Rock & Difficult Material
Decades of experience across the region’s toughest geology: clay, silt, loam, rock, ash, fly ash, and granite.
- Rock removal & excavation
- High-plastic & unstable soils
- Ash & fly ash handling
- Haul-offs & material export
Subgrade & Compaction
Building a stable, tested pad your project can stand on.
- Subgrade preparation
- Engineered, moisture-conditioned compaction
- Density testing & QC
- Proof-rolling & undercut
Grading & Site Finishing
Finish and rough grading, nationwide, brought to design tolerance.
- Finish grading to tolerance
- Slopes, drainage & contours
- Utility-scale solar pads
- Site balance & fine grade
Capabilities
What our earthwork crews deliver
Mass Excavation
Large-volume cut-and-fill and excavation across clay, rock, and difficult soils.
GPS Machine Control
Machine-controlled grading holds design elevations and cuts rework and stake time.
Engineered Compaction
Moisture-conditioned, density-tested compaction for a subgrade that holds.
Haul & Balance
Cut/fill balance, haul-offs, and material management that control cost and schedule.
How we work
Earth moved with a plan, not guesswork.
One team owns the earthwork from the first grade model to the final compacted, tested pad.
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Problems we solve
Tough ground is where we do our best work
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Rock & difficult material
Clay, high-plastic soil, rock, ash, and granite get excavated, hauled, or reworked so grading stays on schedule.
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Unbalanced cut and fill
Accurate models and haul management balance earthwork on site, controlling truck counts, import, and cost.
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Unstable subgrade
Soft or wet subgrade is undercut, moisture-conditioned, and compacted to a tested, buildable density.
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Tight grade tolerances
GPS machine control holds finish grade to design tolerance, cutting rework and keeping the next trade on time.
Level, compacted, on grade. That's where we start.
Safety
Safety is a culture, not a number.
For us, safety is more than an EMR figure. It’s how every crew shows up, every day. From daily planning and hazard analysis to ongoing crew training, we build safety into the work so our people go home safe and your project stays on track.
Daily hazard analysis
Every crew plans the work and the risks before it starts.
Ongoing safety training
Continuous training keeps our people sharp and certified.
Documented compliance
Full reporting and inspection coordination on every job.
Selected work
Ground we've moved
Ameren Coffeen Power Station
Mass excavation and earthwork for a power station site.
Indiana US Interstate 69
Grading and earthwork for a major interstate corridor.
Bear Creek Golf Club
Site grading and earth shaping for a golf course build.