Yesterday, it took me every bit of 3 hours to move the 325 pound blade assembly into the frame, and get it tack welded into place.
If I had realized the massive weight of the blades, I might have opted for the lightweight snow blade replacements CAT offered.
The blades are in now, so it is all water over the dam,,, boy, I got my exercise, yesterday.
I was so tired, I took the pic without picking up all the tools,,, better than no pic, I guess.
As a comparison, I would bet that blade assembly weighs more than many complete commercial landplanes.
My goal was to end up with a VERY heavy, VERY rigid LP,,, I think I got there!! :thumbsup:
I watched too many videos on YouTube of LP's bouncing, and jumping until they filled with material.
Today, I finished the welding of the blade assembly to the slide plates, the blade assembly moves up and down freely, no binding.
The LP was setting there, I just could not resist,,
I had to hook it to the tractor, and go for a spin.
The LP worked perfectly for probably 500 feet, then the blade assembly slid up about a half inch, the four Wilton clamps could not hold the blade assembly down.
It started to pour rain, so I did not get a pic of it operating,,, but, it did a GREAT job.
I only have a single blade assembly in the frame, but the results were perfect, before the blade moved.
I have, for 30 years, used;
A grader box
Three different rear blades (a John Deere 6' [the JD is a massive one from the 1960's], a Rhino 6' and a Bush Hog 7')
Various front end loaders (at least 5 different ones)
A homemade pasture drag that works OK on gravel
A 953 CAT with a 4 in 1 bucket
and
A 7' landscape rake with gauge wheels.
NONE of those tools flattened the driveway as nice as the landplane,,, on its first outing.
Next, I have to fab the brackets that will support the blade assembly at the proper height.
I will be doing a LOT of grading with the front blade assembly before I consider adding the rear blade.
That front blade assembly is 14 inches wide,, so it is kinda acting like dual blades by itself.