The Best Dirt Moving Attachment - FOUND

WVBartMan · Jan 20, 2005

Gentlemen:

I decided to purchase a small scraper for my Kubota L5030. This would allow me to do jobs around the property where room to operate was limited. My 7' box blade did a great job as long as my expectations for high production were low.

A couple of weeks ago I had a chance to test the new small scraper before the snow came. I was blown away by how fast I could move >100 cubic yards of material. The scraper worked flawlessly and proved to be a time saving investment.

I thought I would give you the website address if your interested. I appreciate the people who use this website (TBN) to give product reports, I thought I would do the same.

http://www.hoelscherinc.com/prod_dbscraper.htm

ronjhall · Jan 20, 2005

Nice tool. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
What size did you get?
Are there any pictures of you using it?

WVBartMan · Jan 20, 2005

Ron: I got the DB6 and I measured several loads to determine the capacity and it averaged 1.5 cubic yard per load. I'm sorry, I didn't take any pictures and even if I did I have been unable to attach any pictures because of the limiting bytes I'm alloted. My digital camera may be set at too high a resolution or its operator error on my part.

timb · Jan 20, 2005

I've been eyeing up the Hoelscher attachments for awhile- both the scrapers and the (TL) roller. They certainly look interesting, although tough to cost-justify for personal use. I'd be very interested in your experiences with your scraper.

Where did you end up buying?

ronjhall · Jan 20, 2005

Took a couple of minutes and downloaded video of the DB in use. Sure made the JD tractor spin its tires while filling.

WVBartMan · Jan 20, 2005

Tim: I thought the scraper would have a tough time with hard clay ground but do to the angle of the cutting blade and the frost teeth, it had no problem. I only wish I had it last summer when I had several of these project that seemed to take forever.

Concerning where I purchased the scraper, it was from a John Deere dealership in Ohio. I have a local dealer here in WV that saw my scraper in action and decided to handle the line. He told me that he would sale them at 10% below list for the first year to get the line established. Let me know if your interested and I can give you his number or email address. I had mine directed shipped to my farm which saved me a long drive. If I were you, I would do the same if you can have it unloaded at a dock somewhere. As far as assembly all I had to do was turn the toungue around and I was ready to go. Hope this helps.

Holzster · Jan 20, 2005

WVBartMan:

How do you think it would do cutting sod?

AndyMA · Jan 20, 2005

Bart

If you don't mind me asking, what does the size you bought cost? Also do you think a TN75 with 16.9 x 30 R1's could pull it ok?

thanks Andy

WVBartMan · Jan 20, 2005

Holzster: My project required me to remove the sod cover and the frost teeth had no problem cutting through it. Your soil may be different than mine (hard clay). I had the same thought at first but I always knew I could use my FEL to make the first cut to get the teeth below the sod and then allow the scraper to slice through it. Thankfully it wasn't necessary, the scraper went right through it. The angle of the scraper teeth is quite a bit different than a box blade and it tends to slice more effeciently than the box scrape requiring less horsepower to load.

The one thing I do to heap the scraper is to "plant it" right before lifting causing the scraper to dig in hard and push the dirt high in the belly of the scraper resulting in a heaped load. The video shows the operator doing this and once you get used to it you can really fly while loading, transporting and dumping, much faster than the video.

WVBartMan · Jan 20, 2005

Andy: The list price for the DB6 (the largest) is $4,725 not including freight. We now have a local dealer selling them for 10% below list and will direct ship if you have access to a loading dock for unloading.

The TN75 won't even know it's behind it. I pull it with a 53 hp Kubota with no problem.

GRUMPA · Jan 20, 2005

Sure am glad you gave that link I've never heard of them before. The little movie downloads are nice, I got to the point where they have the prices (by now the wife is looking over my shoulder) and she wants to see the little movies. So she watches them and is amazed at how well they would work for our 4mi of dirt road, so I click on the page with the prices and HOLY-COW. She was almost floored but still insisted one of those would sure be nice to have if they werent expensive, well without thinking about it to closely ole motor mouth just had to say "Well you cost me more than one of those". Well you guessed it, tonight I have to cook my own dinner. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

WVBartMan · Jan 20, 2005

Grumpa: "Note to self, when speaking with the wife, always remember at the end of every sentence in the discussion of money, the words to be spoken are, YOUR WORTH EVERY PENNY."

rswyan · Jan 21, 2005

( Concerning where I purchased the scraper, it was from a John Deere dealership in Ohio. )

Where in Ohio and which dealer ?

Did they have units in stock or did they have to order it in ?

This unit was discussed before in another thread - someone who was building a pond - don't recall who it was offhand. Glad to see someone here got one and was able to report on how well it works - sounds like the ticket if you have alot of dirt to move.

_RaT_ · Jan 21, 2005

It looks like you control the cut via your tractors 3 point and the hydraulics is the dump. Having the gauge wheels has certainly go to help smooth things out. Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Indydirtfarmer · Jan 21, 2005

Grumpa.....Looks like you already have the greatest "hole digging" capabilities of all on this site. You might have dug yourself to China....

Here's a hint....Next time you're looking at something expensive, comment on how it would allow you more free time to spend with the Mrs. (WORKS FOR ME!!!!)

For everyone interested, Hoelscher displays their wares at the National Farm Machinery Show, coming up in Louisville this Feb. They offer a reduced price on what items they have on display, and then let you pick it up after the show. I was offered a price reduction of nearly $1000 on a "dirt pan" last year. I was there to buy a no-till grain drill, and had already shot a BIG hole in my check book, so I passed on the Hoelscher deal. But this year..........!!!!!!!!!! John

have_blue · Jan 21, 2005

WVBartman,

Awesome tool! Thanks for the review! I'm digging a 150x400 pond, and I dream about a better digging tool while bouncing endlessly on my tractor.

I can't tell if the one in the movie is 5' or 6', but it sure is making the little JD tractor grunt! Looks like it needs another 10-15 HP to "really" pull it. I bet it couldn't even pull it in hard sticky clay.

I would love to have the D-B5 for my 35HP tractor, but I think realistically those scrapers need a tractor on the high end of the recommended power. I bet it would rip the lungs out of my little tractor. Actually, the 4 footer is only .2 yards smaller capacity than the 5 footer, so it's well worth considering.

jmc · Jan 21, 2005

Bart,

Thanks for posting that. As Indydirtfarmer said, they were at the Louisville show last year and I think it was them that was running one outside, digging up the front yard of the convention center. Of course that yard has been dug up so many times its not much of a test but it appeared to work well. Glad to hear it works in hard clay.

Slightly off topic but that stepped cutting edge is interesting the way it penetrates so well. Seems like someone used that design on a fel bucket, maybe on a skid steer. It may be a good compromise instead of a full blown tooth bar. At least you could make it yourself. And it would still work for smooth back dragging, etc.

John

SkyPup · Jan 21, 2005

Thanks for the great info, I maintain a three mile limerock road and do all the grading with my Kubota L-3130 and 72" BB and these implements look real helpful for quite a few of my usual chores. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bowhunter · Jan 21, 2005

Now the trick will be to find a rental company that has one of these. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

WVBartMan · Jan 21, 2005

Rswyan: I purchased my DB6 at Carmichaels in Southpoint, Ohio at list price. They do not have them in stock, they are special order only.

Someone mentioned how the scraper pulled/slowed the JD tractor. What I found in operating the scraper is making longer cuts instead of the short stabs you saw on the video. After watching the video I could tell they were just trying to load the bowl quickly. In doing so he planted it hard and fast. I usually use twice the distance he used to load so I can maintain a high speed.

In the spring my brother inlaw is going to buy one for his 35 hp tractor. I don't think he is getting the DB6 but I'll let you know how it does.