Land Plane Advice

[Rustyiron]

....yeah, but you prolly could "write off" those tools through your business where the land plane? Not sure on how your tax system works up there.

 

[mcgoo]

....yeah, but you prolly could "write off" those tools through your business where the land plane? Not sure on how your tax system works up there.

I could write it off either way. But it's interesting to think that I would have more tools for the same price that I could use going forward for more builds.

 

[jenkinsph]

Looks like I can get Land Pride through Kubota dealers around here . I will call for a price on Monday. I want to get a 60 inch not a 48-inch. Is that the correct size for my tractor?

A 48" would be a better fit for your tractor. I have a 48" that is a strain for my garden tractor but with the extra weight your tractor has this 48" would be a good fit. A 60" would be okay on level ground but would be difficult to pull uphill. You are not going to save time with the 60" vs. the 48" either.

Here is my 48" wide with 60" long skids I built a few years ago. Weighs about 425 lbs and cost about $400 USD to build with 1/2"x6" grader blades.

 

[Rustyiron]

I could write it off either way. But it's interesting to think that I would have more tools for the same price that I could use going forward for more builds.

Now your talkin'!:thumbsup:

 

[mcgoo]

A 48" would be a better fit for your tractor. I have a 48" that is a strain for my garden tractor but with the extra weight your tractor has this 48" would be a good fit. A 60" would be okay on level ground but would be difficult to pull uphill. You are not going to save time with the 60" vs. the 48" either.

Here is my 48" wide with 60" long skids I built a few years ago. Weighs about 425 lbs and cost about $400 USD to build with 1/2"x6" grader blades.

That looks sharp! I am all flat here. I thought you were supposed to cover your tracks with your implement?

 

[HunterWare]

I pull a 60" land plane (deere) behind my JD 1026R (filled tires + FEL) without any issues. I maintain a 1800' gravel drive that only has about 30 feet of flat section along the whole thing, and has one area with a 20deg slope for 100'. I can still pull a full load up that steep section without any issue (4wheel and diff-lock engaged). Frankly, when/if I upgrade to a new 2R series then I'll certainly step up a size (72"). A Kubota B2650 with filled tires would greatly outweigh me and should be able to pull a 60 without much/any effort, and personally I'd try a 72.

Edit: yes, you want to be able to cover your tracks. It's also really nice to have a couple extra inches so you are not riding the edge all the time when your blade is. Same thing with a rear blade. On a B2650 I would load my tires and run a 6' rear blade and/or land plane.

 

[jenkinsph]

I pull a 60" land plane (deere) behind my JD 1026R (filled tires + FEL) without any issues. I maintain a 1800' gravel drive that only has about 30 feet of flat section along the whole thing, and has one area with a 20deg slope for 100'. I can still pull a full load up that steep section without any issue (4wheel and diff-lock engaged). Frankly, when/if I upgrade to a new 2R series then I'll certainly step up a size (72"). A Kubota B2650 with filled tires would greatly outweigh me and should be able to pull a 60 without much/any effort, and personally I'd try a 72.

Edit: yes, you want to be able to cover your tracks. It's also really nice to have a couple extra inches so you are not riding the edge all the time when your blade is. Same thing with a rear blade. On a B2650 I would load my tires and run a 6' rear blade and/or land plane.

I would consider having 4x4 AND DIFFERENTIAL LOCK ENGAGED a strain on your tractor. I understand you can pull the 5' with your 1026R but better to size implements to your tractor that are not always straining everything.

On a hard packed driveway the land plane grader scraper is easy to pull. On a soft driveway or after a rain it can be much more difficult to pull and you have less traction too. I like to suggest combinations that will work well in less than optimum conditions.

A 4000 series Deere with ballast will pull an 8' lpgs in most conditions.
A 3000 series Deere with ballast will pull a 6' lpgs in most conditions.
A 2000 series Deere with ballast will pull a 5' lpgs in most conditions.
A 1000 series Deere with ballast will pull a 4' lpgs in most conditions.

The above is my opinion for heavy duty land plane grader scrapers without straining the tractor and use under a variety of soil and moisture conditions, with and without some slope changes.

 

[jenkinsph]

That looks sharp! I am all flat here. I thought you were supposed to cover your tracks with your implement?

Thanks for the compliment. Covering your tracks is optimum but not necessary for using a lpgs on a driveway. For box blade work you need to be wider than your tires so that you can dig deeper. The first time you drive anything on the driveway it will make tracks until packed down so I would not worry about the lpgs width in this case.

Weight per foot of width is important and structural strength that keeps everything rigid without flexing is key to a good lpgs, Long skids and plenty of weight allows for a more aggressive cut when needed and a smoother less undulating roadway.

 

[petegoud]

Hmmmm,,,,
I would think,,, you could buy;
A welder
A steel cutting bandsaw
A drill press
and,,
all the steel you need for the landplane,, TOTAL, for less than $1600,,,

Are you interested in doing it yourself?

There is something quite satisfying about learning something new. In this case, look at all the money learning the basics of welding will save you in the future.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep. I built a 72x72 out of used I-beam, 14" tall, and including the cutting edges (I used Titan 4"x1/2" bucket cutting edges, welded to 6x6x3/8 angle), I have less than $500 in it. It's not pretty, but it works great. I'll post some pics next time I'm out at the property.

I want to build one. Just not sure I have the need for it to justify the build. I have most of the material already. I think it would be a simple build. I'm more about productivity than cosmetics too.