Landplane/Grader and HP Questions

   / Landplane/Grader and HP Questions #1  

dmacdaddy

New member
Joined
Jan 31, 2016
Messages
2
Location
Utah
Tractor
none
Hello TBN crew! I've been lurking for awhile and I need to get out of the shadows and get some help :) I'm planning on a new tractor ASAP and my challenge is, as most, what size tractor to purchase. I have 5 acres but, live on the family farm that is 100 acres. My short term plans for the tractor would primarily to maintain our gravel road and some grass/weed mowing (bush hog or Flail). I may use the tractor time and again to help with snow removal yet, I have a Polaris Ranger 800 with a 6' blade that has worked great so far. The challenge is, we live at 5500 feet in elevation and we live up on a hill. Road is small gravel and road base mix to provide traction up to the house in the winter.

So, the gravel road to our home is about 400 yards in total, front and back drive. The front drive is about 100 yards but at about a 40-45 degree slope. The back drive is longer and not so steep.

1. What HP tractor is necessary to be able to effectively landplane/grade this? I've been back and forth on if a 35 HP is enough or do I need to go to 40-45 HP? It seems that it's about 10 grand difference to move from 35-45 hp and I just don't want to be under powered and yet still like the idea of a smaller tractor and more money to go to other implements.

2. What size landplane/grader would you recommend for the size of tractor? If 35 hp is enough, would 6' be too big?

Most of the other chores are not as hp dependent, I don't think. Sorry if this is longwinded, and I'd be happy to answer more questions if I'm not clear.
Thanks in advance for your help!
 
   / Landplane/Grader and HP Questions #2  
Welcome to TBN.

Please post photos of your 45 degree driveway. :)

grades-degrees-percent.jpg

Bruce
 
   / Landplane/Grader and HP Questions #3  
Just assuming the drive is steep I would suggest you get a smaller land plane to match to the 35 hp tractor. A 5ft is what I would suggest, and you may struggle with it at times. In almost all cases you will need to drag the gravel up the hill to get it back in place. So a box blade may be required in addition to the land plane. You may be able to use your fel to move the materials back up the hill too.

If you do go ahead with a 45 hp tractor I would still stay with a 5' land plane and it will handle it with less strain. Also I would not recommend driving down the hill with either tool as you won't have any material left at the top.
 
   / Landplane/Grader and HP Questions #4  
Yes, please post pictures of your driveway.

I have a 5000lb 32 HP turbo 4x4 HST tractor and pull a 5' wide 800lb LPGS. It works great. I would not want to pull a 6' wide unit that was as heavy, a lighter unit would probably be fine though, just would not work as well. Weight is king when it comes to grading.

With your elevation, you really need to find a tractor that has a turbo, other wise you will be loosing over 15% of your power with a naturally aspirated engine at your elevation.

What dealers do you have within a comfortable driving distance? Your $10K price jump sounds way off, should be $3-4K difference. Were you looking at economy 35hp models and deluxe cab 45hp units? :confused:

Let us know so that we can better help you. ;)
 

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   / Landplane/Grader and HP Questions #5  
With your elevation, you really need to find a tractor that has a turbo, other wise you will be loosing over 15% of your power with a naturally aspirated engine at your elevation.
Dang. Now I'm looking at my little CT225 and thinking I need to find a turbo kit for it. I'm at 5600 feet.
 
   / Landplane/Grader and HP Questions #6  
Dang. Now I'm looking at my little CT225 and thinking I need to find a turbo kit for it. I'm at 5600 feet.

You're loosing almost 4 HP. Just think how it would run with the HP it's suppose to have. :thumbsup: Most people get by though. I know that I talked my brother out of a non turbo engine, he was living at 10,000 ft at the time. If I remember correctly, he had been considering a Kioti CK30.
 
   / Landplane/Grader and HP Questions #7  
Yes, please post pics of this 45 degree drive. That would be just about impossible to walk, let alone drive anything up and down.

As to tractors, think in terms of weight instead of HP. Heavier is going to pull more. HP is not gonna be the limiting factor
 
   / Landplane/Grader and HP Questions #8  
Dang. Now I'm looking at my little CT225 and thinking I need to find a turbo kit for it. I'm at 5600 feet.
If you find one posted up here I want to check it out
 
   / Landplane/Grader and HP Questions #9  
Yes, please post pictures of your driveway.
I have a 5000lb 32 HP turbo 4x4 HST tractor and pull a 5' wide 800lb LPGS. It works great. I would not want to pull a 6' wide unit that was as heavy, a lighter unit would probably be fine though, just would not work as well. Weight is king when it comes to grading. With your elevation, you really need to find a tractor that has a turbo, other wise you will be loosing over 15% of your power with a naturally aspirated engine at your elevation. What dealers do you have within a comfortable driving distance? Your $10K price jump sounds way off, should be $3-4K difference. Were you looking at economy 35hp models and deluxe cab 45hp units? :confused: Let us know so that we can better help you. ;)
I don't see a hydraulic top link on any of those pictures I'm disappointed.
 
   / Landplane/Grader and HP Questions #10  
I don't see a hydraulic top link on any of those pictures I'm disappointed.

Those pictures are when I very first got that tractor, only a single rear remote was available on those models, still that way with the smaller 38hp and down Mahindras. I installed a 2 spool valve and used that for a couple of years and then needed 4 sets of remotes so went with 3 diverters. Controlled by the single OEM valve. Fairly clean installation I think. :thumbsup:
 

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