Road maintenance - Tuffline v. Grademaster v. Roadboss

[Charlesaf3]

This has been scattered around, but I wanted to see if there was the possibility of getting a direct comparison and some opinions - I'm think of buying one, and search doesn't pull up that much.

These appear to be the three main manufacturers of land planes, or road graders or whatever you would call the variation of box blades used to smooth and maintain dirt and gravel roads.

I'm looking to figure out which would be the best (price considered) for a cat I kubota L4740 (around 7k pounds) with top and tilt.

Mtnview has had great luck with the Roadboss, or at least something very similar. Problem is, Roadboss is very expensive ($2.5-$3k), and its not clear the L4740 will really handle it. A 6 foot Road Boss is around 900 pounds, a 7 foot around 1050 pounds. And the double blade on these evidently makes them harder to pull than a boxblade

Grademaster, on the other hand, recommended the 6 or 7 light duty at 560 or 660 respectively. Cost is less than half the Road Boss (around $1k shipped). Clearly less steel as well. Design seems almost exactly the same.

THe Monroe Tuffline equivalents are 6 or 7 at 532 or 598. Design once again from pictures seems the same. Don't know cost yet.

Anyone have any opinions, either on brand or operation behind at 47hp HST kubota?

[MtnViewRanch]

Charles, just my opinion, but I think that the 6' medium or heavy duty Grademaster would be the right blade for you. I think that the 6' medium or heavy duty would work better than a 7' light duty.

Hope that you find what you need.

[Charlesaf3]

Thanks Brian. You don't think having that much extension out fron the tractor is worth it? I was thinking it would let me grade the side of the road while keeping my tires out of the ditch.

[MtnViewRanch]

Charles, The light duty 7' will not grade as well as a heaver 6'. Yes a 7' would be nice, but because it is lighter per foot of cutting width, most likely will take more passes to get the road how you want it. I did some grading this past weekend on a new road that I am working on and more than a few times my 7' heavy grader blade stopped my 12k+lb 75hp tractor. Oh, and yes a road grader blade takes more power to pull than a box blade.

[hazmat]

If the L4740 isn't made for medium / heavy duty 6foot implements, I don't know what is... Seriously I don't think light duty goes with 47HP. While I haven't broken it, my light duty rear blade is a bit "looser" after a few years use behind an 18HP New Holland (now B3030).

[thunderworks]

Charles: I have used a 6' Grademaster behind my L5030. Works great with absolutely no problem with power. I'm sure I could have pulled the 7' easily as well. I suspect that your L4730 will work comparably well.

[Charlesaf3]

Thanks all.

I'm actually seriously thinking of getting the L5240 instead, for the extra horsepower and Cat II

Thunderworks, how's your experience with the grademaster been? Does it do a good job? Wish it were longer or heavier?

[PaulChristenson]

Here is one more item for you to consider...
TR3 Rake For Gravel Driveway Maintenance >>> ABI Property Owner

[Charlesaf3]

interesting. Rather than a variation on a blade, it looks like a variation on a rake. Any experience with it?

[LoneCowboy]

I use a 6' roadboss behind a NH TC45 (45hp) and you have to remember I'm at altitude, so minus another 20% of power.
No issues

The 6' roadboss works, just barely, behind my MF 1433 (33hp), but it's really too much for it.

The one advantage of roadboss is that they come out, unload it, hook it up to YOUR tractor on YOUR land and you see if it works. If not, they load it back up, if so, you can then write a check.

Can't beat that.