360* Rotating Back Blade Project

[GuglioLS]

Scott: ....Im guessing that gearbox must weigh 300-350 lbs ? That should make that blade dig !

Scott, Good estimate - It weighs somewhere around 250 lbs. And yes the blade should dig in good. I dragged it around the field yesterday with the blade reversed knocking down a bunch of gopher dirt mounds just to get a feel for it. With the extra weight from the Gear Box installed, the blade really hugs the ground, I can definitely feel the extra resistance. There is no bouncing up & down like standard Blades. I can't wait to get the rear bracket installed so as to see how well it really digs in with the cutting edge facing the direction of travel.

Larry & Rob,

Congratulations and THANK YOU!!! You two have added an entire new level of what this site is all about. Not just tractors, or working the land, but combining two brilliant minds to from a friendship that is able to create something totally new and unique.

From an idea all the way through the process, it's been an a amazing adventure for me to follow along. I've learned more in this thread then I have in any others!!!!

The video came out realy cool, but now I'm looking forward to seeing what it's like to work it in the dirt.

Eddie

Eddie - Thank you for your kind comments. Working together with Rob on this project has been a fun and rewarding experience for me as well.
And yes, I agree that we really need to see the blade move some dirt! I promise to get the rear bracket installed ASAP, then when the mud dries up, (it's raining right now) we'll see what it can do.

Larry

 

[Colin Giersberg]

Larry, what you and Rob did is awesome. I have enjoyed this entire, multi-part series from start to finish. While I have been a member for a very short time, I have learned quite a lot here. Thanks to everyone for that.

I do not have any machining skills, but that is something that I have always felt I would enjoy. The closest that I come to that is woodworking, which I guess, shares some of the same techniques. Not one time did I get bored with the process. It is very informative in its presentation. Anyway, I just wanted to say that this is a most excellent topic that we can all learn from.

Looking forward to the next installment.

Regards, Colin

 

[schmism]

very nice!

 

[dullpain]

Larry - Rob

From this day forward you both are my sworn enemies. I can no longer post my pitiful projects w/ pictures due to the embarassment factor!!!

Great work from both, great documentation, pics, and video. Even better , New and I'm sure lasting kinship....

 

[jimgerken]

Very ambitious project! One point I have for you, and please forgive me if its been mentioned before, cause I can't read all fifteen pages:

If you turn the blade around toward the back and its connected to your three point, and you are backing up the tractor and pushing with the blade, you will eventually bend the 3-point lower arms. They are for pulling, that's why they are made of flat iron. Or, maybe I missed something.

 

[GuglioLS]

Colin & Steve (Schmism),
Thanks for your positive feedback, I'm thrilled you enjoyed this project.

DullPain - From this day forward you both are my sworn enemies. I can no longer post my pitiful projects w/ pictures due to the embarassment factor!!!

HaHaha thats a good one, I've not heard before -
Please continue to post your projects, there is no shame in anything you make (that is, if it works, and it's painted)

Very ambitious project! One point I have for you, and please forgive me if its been mentioned before, cause I can't read all fifteen pages:

If you turn the blade around toward the back and its connected to your three point, and you are backing up the tractor and pushing with the blade, you will eventually bend the 3-point lower arms. They are for pulling, that's why they are made of flat iron. Or, maybe I missed something.

Jim - What, you didn't read all 15 pages You make a good point for anyone who does not have reinforced T shaped drag links. Perhaps that's why there called drag links and not push links? I'll get you a picture of how beefy mine are constructed for the asking. I've been pushing stuff back-wards for 25 years and have not bent one yet (knock on wood). - I guess maybe I must be lucky or something?

Thanks for checking this project out, and your feedback. BTW just in case you did'nt read this entire response, I forgive you.

Larry

 

[3RRL]

My push links work pretty good too.
They allow a hefty cut pushing like a bulldozer in reverse.





Of course I had already bent the crap out of them before too. They are only 1" thick x 4" wide and I added a 3/4" thick x 3" scarifier to the bottom with a giant weld. Now the work really good for pulling and pushing.





Hey Larry,
How much longer before we see you move some dirt with your fancy new fully hydraulic rotating back blade? Has it stopped raining over there yet?

 

[GuglioLS]

Hey Larry,
How much longer before we see you move some dirt with your fancy new fully hydraulic rotating back blade? Has it stopped raining over there yet?

It stopped raining but more is on the way.

Alright, I guess I've made you guys suffer long enough - perhaps you thought I had already broke it and was going to let this thread die? I'll get some pictures and video posted no later than Saturday, thats only 72 hours from now. Maybe I'll take Friday off and go play in the dirt with it, just for you .

Rob, your combo Drag / Push Links are pretty beefy.When we got together, I remember seeing how indestructible they are now. Seems they are holding up pretty good against all that 55 HP Dozer pushing !


Larry

 

[ZJ_HR]

If you turn the blade around toward the back and its connected to your three point, and you are backing up the tractor and pushing with the blade, you will eventually bend the 3-point lower arms. They are for pulling, that's why they are made of flat iron. Or, maybe I missed something.

Hmmm, you're partially right. But what about rototillers? Maye not that hard as blade, but they are pushing tractor too.
My ex Howard Rotavator pushed a 5700lbs tractor in 4WD mode on the field

 

[Renze]

i pushed many trees with my zetor 5245 and rear 3pt lift bucket.
I'd rather use the rear bucket for pushing, than the front loader even though i've home built a front loader to my own standards..

I bent my lower link arms just once, that was when i backed up over a concrete bridge, there was a sinkhole under the pavement in front of that bridge and when i reversed, the tractor wheel dropped into the sinkhole and the lower link arm hit the concrete base of the bridge at 7 km/h, with the inertia of a 6 cubic meter manure tanker against it, though it stopped me instantly.

 

[GuglioLS]

I have just been itching to tryout the 360* Rob-o-Blade since last weekend when it was completed! First I had a four day trip to San Jose, CA. When I got back there was more work for me, finally yesterday (Friday) I thought I was going to get to try it out for sure. Well it started to rain, then poured, then overnight it turned to snow Oh Man. Well today I said the heck with the mud & snow. I'm going out there to try it out anyway. There was only about 2" of the white stuff on top of some really bad muck.
I went out into the field where, when I tear up the ground - I don't really care. The snow was sticky wet, when it's mixed with dirt, I call it Snirt

Here's a 5 meg (34 second) video clip I was able to take:


The tractor is "driving itself" while I was facing backward holding the camera to get the video and operating the hydraulics all at the same time.
I started out by back dragging the blade, then swung the offset over to the left side. Man that stuff is sticky - it would not slide off the blade. Then I rotated the blade 180* on-the-fly just for fun. Toward the end of the clip you can see where the cutting edge was getting a grip and digging into the snot, that's when the tractor stopped driving itself in a straight line, and I figured I better get a grip on the wheel at that moment.

When (if it ever) dries up, I'll get some action shots of it cutting into some decent dry dirt.

That all for now -

Larry

 

[davidseaquist]

What a beautiful engineering and machining job! I have never seen a back blade work like yours. Thanks for posting your project. David

 

[Renze]

You guys are getting snow ?

Over here in Holland, we are running into the 30° Celsius at certain places ! This spring remembered my father of the stories of his granddad, the summer of 1945 when there was serious fighting around april 13th when our area was liberated. Several small farms were shot in fire, but the spring was so warm and early that they could send the cows to the fields to graze for their own, without the need to feed them because there was enough grass so early, even in the time that there wasnt any artificial fertiliser available...

I suppose i am getting carried away, probably because of the weather itself..

Anyways, From the way you guys handled the project, and the attention to details during the manufacturing process, this is a result we could expect, because its obvious that you guys dont take half measures... !!

 

[GuglioLS]

David, Renze -

Thank you - No doubt, it's definitely a unique one-of-a-kind blade drive. I do think we got it right. All the superb machining credit goes to Rob. In late June '07 Rob's coming to visit me in person, so he will get a chance to actually try out is handy work. I am getting a little concerned though, after he checks it out for himself and sees how great it works, he just might issue a "recall" and make me send it back! (or start making another one for himself).

Larry

 

[Defective]

um...WOW!

That thing is dangerously cool.

I spent 2 years building a road through a property I used to own. The land was heavily wooded. If I'd had that much maneuverability in my back blade, I'd have had it done in 1 year.

Like I said, um...WOW!


If anyone tries to take it away from you, Larry, you can send it up here for hiding.

 

[EddieWalker]

Larry,

It looks fantastic, but that's only part one.

Now I'm looking foreward to some hydraulic gauge wheels!!!! No need to get too fancy, just make them so they float, self adjust and have laser receivers that will control the blade depth!!!

Just kidding,
Eddie

 

[scott_vt]

Larry,

just make them so they float, self adjust and have laser receivers that will control the blade depth!!!

Just kidding,
Eddie

Afternoon Eddie,
Dont laugh Larry could do it !

 

[Farwell]

This may be a little late to add, my blade will not do a 360 with out hitting my tires. Has this been checked in advance? Oh I hope so.

 

[3RRL]

Today I received a mysterious large package in FedEx.
I saw it was from Larry. That guys is too much...
He sent me a nice large tool case filled with all kinds of electrical goodies. There were cutters, strippers, crimper's, a heat gun, shrink tube, several rolls of 14 GA stranded wire, relays, several push button and rocker switches and a big insulated two wire length of 14 GA wire. On top of that, he left me 2 sheets of instructions on how to install auxiliary lights, horn relay and blinker switches, and 2 schematic diagrams of what he explained.



What a guy he is. He sent all that as repayment for what I did for him. I did not ask for any of that so he sent that as a gift. That is ON TOP of paying for the round trip tickets for both Loretta and me to visit Esther and him this Summer. That is also on top him paying his own way out here and back to repair my electrical problem.
Thank you Larry, you are too kind.
I am very grateful indeed for your generosity.

 

[GuglioLS]

Defective -

That thing is dangerously cool.

Yea pretty cool - thanks.

Eddie -

It looks fantastic

Thanks Eddie,

Now I'm looking foreward to some hydraulic gauge wheels!!!! No need to get too fancy, just make them so they float, self adjust and have laser receivers that will control the blade depth!!!

HaHaHa - Sorry Eddie, I don't do "training wheels", Like Scott said - "I could do it", that is, If I really wanted to .

Farwell -

This may be a little late to add, my blade will not do a 360 with out hitting my tires. Has this been checked in advance? Oh I hope so.

Yep, too late, better check the video, reply # 132 & 133 on page 14 of this thread AND the video in reply # 151 (above). Just in case you have dial up or something the blade misses the wheels by at lease 18" or more. Fortunately as you mentioned, those "little" details were checked out well in advance.

Thank you all!

Larry