Whooptido! What a difference gage wheels make.

[shooterdon]

I have been struggling trying to level my driveway for years. Bought a land plane but it would not not take out the hills and valleys. My little back blade and York rake were useless…or at least I could not get them to work.

My buddy and I went to an auction and there was an old 96” Woods grader blade with a gage wheel. We got it for $1600 after taxes. The wheel was flat but it has held air so far. The hydraulic hoses for the angle and offset cylinders were in bad shape. Got them replaced. The ratchet jack for the grade wheel was seized and got that replaced. We are splitting the cost and sharing this monster. We have just under $1850 into it. New, this is thing is over $5000.

Anyway, got to use it this week. The whooptidos are gone! It took 6 hours of experimenting and fiddling to get it done.

A good operator could have done the job without the gage wheel, and maybe a box blade would have worked.

I am very satisfied with this monster. I think it weighs about 800 lbs.

 

[jyoutz]

I have been struggling trying to level my driveway for years. Bought a land plane but it would not not take out the hills and valleys. My little back blade and York rake were useless…or at least I could not get them to work.

My buddy and I went to an auction and there was an old 96” Woods grader blade with a gage wheel. We got it for $1600 after taxes. The wheel was flat but it has held air so far. The hydraulic hoses for the angle and offset cylinders were in bad shape. Got them replaced. The ratchet jack for the grade wheel was seized and got that replaced. We are splitting the cost and sharing this monster. We have just under $1850 into it. New, this is thing is over $5000.

Anyway, got to use it this week. The whooptidos are gone! It took 6 hours of experimenting and fiddling to get it done.

A good operator could have done the job without the gage wheel, and maybe a box blade would have worked.

I am very satisfied with this monster. I think it weighs about 800 lbs.

A good heavy rear blade with tilt, angle, and offset adjustments can do wonders for road maintenance. But it is a learned skill. I’ve never used gauge wheels on my blade, but I’d like to give them a try.

 

[5030]

Considering how bad the roads are in Michigan, maybe you need to use it on the Interstate...lol

 

[stuckmotor]

I have been struggling trying to level my driveway for years. Bought a land plane but it would not not take out the hills and valleys. My little back blade and York rake were useless…or at least I could not get them to work.

My buddy and I went to an auction and there was an old 96” Woods grader blade with a gage wheel. We got it for $1600 after taxes. The wheel was flat but it has held air so far. The hydraulic hoses for the angle and offset cylinders were in bad shape. Got them replaced. The ratchet jack for the grade wheel was seized and got that replaced. We are splitting the cost and sharing this monster. We have just under $1850 into it. New, this is thing is over $5000.

Anyway, got to use it this week. The whooptidos are gone! It took 6 hours of experimenting and fiddling to get it done.

A good operator could have done the job without the gage wheel, and maybe a box blade would have worked.

I am very satisfied with this monster. I think it weighs about 800 lbs.

Got a photo?

 

[oosik]

I don't know about a good operator and gravel driveway whooptedoos.

I have a mile long gravel driveway and a HD Rhino rear blade. I have one section of whooptedoos - about 150 feet long. Trying to level this area with my rear blade - a project called "frustration".

I also have a hydraulic top link to add into the mix.

I bought a HD LPGS about five years ago. At least, now, the whoops are smooth as silk.

As long as I can keep them smooth - I really don't care if this section is "pool table" level.

BTW - I've had this driveway for 42+ years - along with the whoops.

 

[5030]

I have to say, that once we replaced the gravel driveway with asphalt millings, the whoops vanished and have never reappeared.

 

[BackRoad]

Love to see pictures of the implement!

I can always make room for another tool!

 

[shooterdon]

Got a photo?

Here you go:

 

[jyoutz]

Considering how bad the roads are in Michigan, maybe you need to use it on the Interstate...lol

Probably could say that about most states.

 

[jyoutz]

Here you go:


View attachment 876799

Really nice grader setup.