Preparing large areas
Preparing Large Areas for Lawn and Paving – SwiftLevel 112 cm and 73 cm Levelling Board
Large gardens, sports pitches, car parks, construction sites – choose the right tool for the scale of your project. SwiftLevel 112 cm vs. 73 cm: when to use each, how to work efficiently and how much time you will save.
Levelling large areas with a rake or a simple straight edge takes far more time than it should. The key is not effort but tool width and the way it is operated. The SwiftLevel levelling board with its full-width stabilising roller dramatically reduces preparation time for lawn substrate, paving sand, grit or sports mixtures – whether you have 50, 300 or 2 000 m² to cover. Below you will find a full comparison of both available widths and a guide to choosing the right model for your project.
Why does the scale of the area decide which tool to use?
Choosing the right working width is the difference between a few hours and a full day's work
Time increases linearly with the number of passes
Halving the working width doubles the number of passes and time spent. The 112 cm board covers the same area with 35% fewer passes than the 73 cm version.
Flatness – easier to maintain with a longer edge
The longer the linear edge, the better it averages out local irregularities. SwiftLevel 112 cm acts like a long straight edge – eliminating waves and local rises that shorter tools miss.
Manoeuvrability vs. output – two different priorities
On large open areas the working width matters most. In narrow passages, corners and small gardens manoeuvrability is key – that is where SwiftLevel 73 cm wins.
Stabilising roller as a mini compactor
In both versions the full-width roller eliminates jolting and simultaneously pre-compacts the substrate. On large areas this is especially important – minimising the risk of loose ground under paving or seed beds.
SwiftLevel 112 cm vs. 73 cm – full comparison
All differences in one table – choose the model that matches your scale
| Feature | SwiftLevel 112 cm | SwiftLevel 73 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Working width | 112 cm | 73 cm |
| Weight | ~10 kg | ~7 kg |
| Total height | 182.5 cm | 182.5 cm |
| Board material | Steel S355, 5 mm | Steel S355, 5 mm |
| Handle | Beech wood, 2-step adjustment | Beech wood, 2-step adjustment |
| Working edge | Double-sided (toothed + smooth) | Double-sided (toothed + smooth) |
| Stabilising roller | Full-width, 112 cm | Full-width, 73 cm |
| Ideal area | over 30–40 m² | up to 30–40 m², narrow spaces |
| Manoeuvrability | Standard | High |
| Certificate | CE, Made in EU | CE, Made in EU |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer | 1 year manufacturer |
| Price net | 189,27 € | 94,63 € |
Which model should you choose for your project?
Four typical scenarios – from a sports pitch to a small front garden
Sports pitch, car park or large square (over 100 m²)
Open, regular areas with no obstacles. Coverage and speed are what count. SwiftLevel 112 cm covers the area of a training pitch in the time it would take the 73 cm model to finish less than two thirds of it.
✓ SwiftLevel 112 cmGarden (30–150 m²)
Regular gardens without tight corners are the domain of SwiftLevel 112 cm – fewer passes, better final flatness. If the garden has narrow alleys or tight bends, add the 73 cm model for corner finishing.
✓ SwiftLevel 112 cmDriveway, terrace or path with corners
Narrow, elongated or irregular spaces with obstacles – garden furniture, posts, slopes. SwiftLevel 73 cm is agile, easy to manoeuvre in tight spots and lighter to carry.
✓ SwiftLevel 73 cmComplex project (varied terrain)
Large open areas + corners + passages + areas along fencing. Professional paving and landscaping crews often use both versions simultaneously: 112 cm for the main area, 73 cm for finishing work.
✓ Both modelsHow SwiftLevel works – three functions in one tool
The same mechanics in both versions – the only difference is the working width
Toothed edge – scraping and cleaning
The first pass across the area. The teeth break up clods, pull stones, roots and irregularities to the surface. The substrate is pre-sifted and ready for smoothing – no separate raking required. On large areas this replaces an entire round of work with a rake.
Smooth edge – precise levelling
Flip the board and you get a perfectly flat surface. The smooth edge eliminates depressions and micro-irregularities, creating an even layer ready for seed sowing, paving stones or terrace slabs. On large areas every missed depression becomes a puddle or an uneven paving stone.
Stabilising roller – smooth guidance and compaction
The full-width roller eliminates jolting and keeps the board in constant contact with the substrate. Thanks to the weight of the tool (~10 kg for 112 cm, ~7 kg for 73 cm) and the operator's downward pressure it acts as a mini compactor: gently pre-compacting the substrate and stabilising loose ground – particularly important before seeding or sand dressing.
Step by step: preparing a large area with SwiftLevel
Professional workflow for areas over 50 m²
Plan your working strips
Divide the large area into working strips equal to the board width. Mark the direction of travel – on large areas always work in one direction with a 10–15 cm overlap between strips.
Break up and remove debris
Till the ground with a rotavator or light roller. Remove large stones and roots by hand or with machinery. The looser the substrate, the better the board performs.
Spread the material
Distribute topsoil, sand, grit, crushed stone or mineral mix across the entire area. No pre-levelling needed – the board handles that in the next step.
First pass with the toothed side
Pull the board toothed-side down in overlapping strips. Collect stones and clods after each strip. On large areas use a wheelbarrow to remove debris.
Smoothing with the flat side
Flip the board to the smooth side. Work strips perpendicular to the previous pass – this eliminates ridges and produces an even surface. Check the level with a straight edge or laser level.
Finish the corners
Large projects always leave corners, areas along fencing and narrow passages. If you are working with 112 cm, reach for SwiftLevel 73 cm for the finishing touches – the perfect combination.
On large areas each successive strip should overlap the previous one by 10–15 cm. This eliminates visible ridges between strips and ensures a uniform surface across the full width. Particularly important when levelling under paving stones, where the tolerance for irregularities is ±3 mm.
Paving and landscaping crews often invest in both models at once. SwiftLevel 112 cm covers the main area (pitch, driveway, large lawn) while SwiftLevel 73 cm handles narrow strips along walls, corners and fence posts. The combined price of both boards is 283,90 € net – less than the one-off cost of extra crew labour for 2–3 hours.
Technical specifications – comparison of both versions
Product data confirmed by the manufacturer UP GECO
| Specification | SwiftLevel 112 cm | SwiftLevel 73 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Working width | 112 cm | 73 cm |
| Total height | 182.5 cm | 182.5 cm |
| Weight | ~10 kg | ~7 kg |
| Board material | Steel S355, 5 mm thick | Steel S355, 5 mm thick |
| Corrosion protection | Powder coating | Powder coating |
| Handle | Beech wood, Ø 28 mm | Beech wood, Ø 28 mm |
| Handle adjustment | 2-step | 2-step |
| Working edge | Double-sided (toothed + smooth) | Double-sided (toothed + smooth) |
| Stabilising roller | Full-width, 112 cm | Full-width, 73 cm |
| Certificate | CE | CE |
| Country of manufacture | Poland – Made in EU | Poland – Made in EU |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer | 1 year manufacturer |
| Price net | 189,27 € | 94,63 € |
Order the SwiftLevel board to match your project scale
Large areas – SwiftLevel 112 cm. Narrow spaces and small gardens – SwiftLevel 73 cm.
Levelling Board SwiftLevel 112 cm
112 cm working width, full-width stabilising roller, toothed + smooth edge, adjustable beech handle, S355 steel 5 mm powder-coated. Made in EU, CE, 1 year warranty.
Levelling Board SwiftLevel 73 cm
73 cm working width, full-width stabilising roller, toothed + smooth edge, adjustable beech handle, S355 steel 5 mm. Lighter (~7 kg), easier to transport and manoeuvre. Made in EU, CE, 1 year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Answers about choosing the right board and working technique on large areas
Choose the SwiftLevel board that matches your project
112 cm for large open areas. 73 cm for small gardens and narrow spaces. Both models – made in EU, CE certificate, 1 year warranty with free courier collection.