buying a "land grader"/"leveling blade"/"bionic blade"

[MtnViewRanch]

Re: buying a "land grader"/"leveling blade"/"bionic blade"

For the average tractor owner, I side with the LPGS guys. You can be a pro with a box blade in a few hundred hours. The LPGS takes a couple hours to get the hang of...maybe less.

I will take this a little further, probably should not, :mur: but we really need to be realistic, and this may or may not apply to the OP.

Some people, no matter how many hours of working with a box blade will simply NEVER be proficient with that implement.

Just about anyone can be pretty good with a LPGS. Yes some people may be better than others just as some implements are simply "better" than others, but pretty much everyone can be "good" with a LPGS.

Just another :2cents:

 

[RDrancher]

Re: buying a "land grader"/"leveling blade"/"bionic blade"

I will take this a little further, probably should not, :mur: but we really need to be realistic, and this may or may not apply to the OP.

Some people, no matter how many hours of working with a box blade will simply NEVER be proficient with that implement.

Just about anyone can be pretty good with a LPGS. Yes some people may be better than others just as some implements are simply "better" than others, but pretty much everyone can be "good" with a LPGS.

Just another :2cents:

I'll agree with that. The additional length is what makes the LPGS so forgiving. If you made a box blade that long, most tractors couldn't pull it full of material anyway.

As we've discussed before...I use my box blade a lot more than my LPGS, but that's because most driveways I work on are in pretty sad shape. On my own driveway or on a simple regrade, I use the LPGS. After running the box blade all of the time, it's like taking a vacation! In fact, it works so well that I'll be getting the Roadrunner hydraulic model for my CTL.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Re: buying a "land grader"/"leveling blade"/"bionic blade"

I'll agree with that. The additional length is what makes the LPGS so forgiving. If you made a box blade that long, most tractors couldn't pull it full of material anyway.

As we've discussed before...I use my box blade a lot more than my LPGS, but that's because most driveways I work on are in pretty sad shape. On my own driveway or on a simple regrade, I use the LPGS. After running the box blade all of the time, it's like taking a vacation! In fact, it works so well that I'll be getting the Roadrunner hydraulic model for my CTL.

Exactly, not a whole lot of thought HAS to be put into the process. I have what I consider to be fairly good-heavy duty implements. I am fairly good with all of them and can get the same end result with any of them on my roads. It's just that the LPGS is easier and faster than the others when it comes to general maintenance of those roads.

 

[1bush2hog]

Re: buying a "land grader"/"leveling blade"/"bionic blade"

I debated purchasing a box blade and a LPG and ended up ordering a Roadrunner. I picked it up today and got it hooked up and ran it for a little while. It is a beast. Very we'll built and heavy duty. Mine came with the hydraulic tilt function. While I think the Roadrunner will be a great implement I will still need my scrape blade to work the water breaks on my roads. Pics will be later after I get it adjusted

PS. Check what size hitch pins you need if you do order. I had to make a trip to town to pick up 2 5" and 1 7" for the toplink

 

[Thomabear]

Both implements have their purpose and each will perform better when used for what they were designed. Personally I prefer the BB for cutting ditches and moving material and the Land Plane for smoothing and dressing. While similar they are two different pieces of equipment that covers a range of jobs. If it were me I would purchase the land plane and keep the box blade. You will use both.

 

[Monster5601]

Re: buying a "land grader"/"leveling blade"/"bionic blade"

I have about a mile of gravel road I need to maintain and I'm really butchering things up trying to do it with my box blade so I've decided to purchase what everyone in my area refers to as a "bionic blade," although I understand that the correct name is a land plane or leveling blade.

Anyway, I don't have a lot of knowledge with this implement and I really need some guidance on what to look for, brands, etc. before I buy one - they aren't cheap!

The one obvious difference I see between the different brands is that some blades are straight across, while others are anged. Is there a difference in how the straight and angled blade versions perform? Is one better than the other?

Also, I know that with a box blade heavier is always better- is it the same with graders?

Any guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated!!

I had the same results as you, when I got done grading out the gravel/dirt road with a BB it looked nice, looked flat, and drove smooth. First rain, all the same pot holes and contours would come back. After reading about LGs here I bought a Bush Hog RG72 (my dealer sells Bush Hog). During my learning curve I found that it takes a few passes before getting results. The first two passes, I have the top link pulling so there is more weight shift on the front of the LG, then I balance out the LG and start distribution of the materials. I have had to re-do the road several times before it started to hold its shape after a rain.

I understand the angled blades help building the crown. I suggest you choose a model that comes with scarifiers, they do a good job of knocking down the small humps reducing the number of drags you will make. I have hydraulic top and side link and they both make running a LG (other implements too) much easier. The best benefit, my bride no longer complains about the road condition making a happy wife and better life for me

 

[crazyal]

Re: buying a "land grader"/"leveling blade"/"bionic blade"

Everyone's opinion and experiences are different. For me I wouldn't own a GS without ripping shanks. I try to wait until after the drive has been rained on and is still wet but that's not always possible. When it's hard packed and dry the rippers will quickly break it up. The drive also tends to get potholes in certain areas so I go through and tilt the scraper to change the angle on the rippers to get deeper. I also like having the blade height being adjustable. Usually I leave the blades even with the skids but in the spring when the ground is soft I raise them up about 1/2" above the skids as the skids tend to sink into the loose gravel. When I want to rip up sod I lower the blades to about 1/2" lower than the skids. My 6' Befco is a little light but I haven't any weight (yet).

 

[mangus580]

Re: buying a "land grader"/"leveling blade"/"bionic blade"

I just bought a Woods Grader

Product Details

I have had it since Friday - and I love it!

 

[FTG-05]

Re: buying a "land grader"/"leveling blade"/"bionic blade"

I have a Land Pride Grading Scraper - GS2584 - that I use to maintain my mile long gravel driveway. I tried for years to do the job with a rear blade but could never get the hang of it. The GS has allowed me to level and smooth the driveway so it is almost like new. With the scarifiers the unit weighs 800#. I've not found that I need additional weight. I have a 400# concrete casting that I can set on the GS if I ever do need additional weight.

Oosik, I'm in the process of building my LPGS and I don't think I'll make the magic 200 lb/foot mark even though I'd like to.

Can you please post a pic of your 400 lb concrete casting and especially how you attach it to your grader?

Thanks,

 

[john40981]

Re: buying a "land grader"/"leveling blade"/"bionic blade"

Oosik, I'm in the process of building my LPGS and I don't think I'll make the magic 200 lb/foot mark even though I'd like to.

Can you please post a pic of your 400 lb concrete casting and especially how you attach it to your grader?

Thanks,

I used a 44gal plastic drum full of water on mine to add extra weight