landscape grader almost finished

[rdbrumfield]

you might stop by a construction outfit and see if they have any used grader blades. I have replaced many and they usually just lay around the shop. They are wonderful for these smaller tractors for building the contraptions we come up with. This time of year is great as they do they're winter fixes getting ready for the summers work.

 

[flusher]

It still isn't done as i need to make some changes, but here are some pics

Nice piece of work. Congrats.
I like that Mahindra also. I have a 2008 Mahindra 5525. Excellent machine.

Your grader looks similar to the float my contractor used to grade the gravel driveway at my place.

 

[waterguy]

Mine is a 2006 and it works excellent. I added the 275lbs to the back and it now works great. I used a hardened blade for the front cutter. I bolted it on so i can make adjustments to the depth of cut if needed.

 

[waterguy]

A few more pics

 

[RonMar]

A few more pics

That looks really good, nice build. Mine needs more weight also, which was one of my initial conclusions back when I posted about the build. I just graded my neighbors driveway this afternoon and a little more weight would have helped with breaking into the hard surface. With a little more weight, it could have been done with fewer passes to scrape and fill all the potholes. It is perfect as is for loose material and gravel.

I am happy with my blade placement in front, with the blade protruding 3/4" below the side rails. The toplink gives very precise control with this arrangement.

I really need to finish the release lever down to the rear swing down gate. I was going to put the lever up on top of the tower where the toplink attaches, and long enough to reach it from the seat. As it is now, the sliding keeper that holds the rear gate up occasionally vibrates loose and allows the rear gate to swing down and start trapping the loosened material instead of distributing it evenly over the rear blade. With the lever spring and linkage to hold it, these uncontrolled gate closings should stop. As it is now, I wrap a chain around the gate keeper to keep it in place, and the gate open during grading operations.

 

[ninefinger]

You have a piece of equipment you can be proud of and it should give you many years of use. Nice job.

 

[Thumper & Buttercup]

Very nice work,

That looks good, very clean build.

 

[waterguy]

Thanks for all the kind words. We graded my brothers driveway for about an hour yesterday. After some more testing i will clean and paint it. I made one of the weights permenent and the other is easily removable. Moving the toplink has a big effect on how it cuts thats for sure.

 

[Oldmax]

Good job looks nice.

 

[2manyrocks]

Very neat job. And no guide wheels needed for it, either.