Any GradeMaster owners here?

MtnViewRanch · Feb 2, 2012

Anyone that complains about making 3pt adjustments is a perfect candidate to have hydraulic top and tilt on their tractor. Adjustments are made easily, from the seat of the tractor in a fraction of a second and can be made on the fly if desired.

As far as having the same adjustment, not as hard as it may sound and unless your road is perfect, you usually want different adjustments along the way anyway.

JoelT · Feb 2, 2012

Brian, you're on my list. Do you have the specs for my JD4310 or do I need to figure all those measurements?

Gordon Gould · Feb 2, 2012

beppington said:
Gordon - I can't remember: Are your blades fixed? Do you have them set to crown? If not, do you wish you did?

Yes my blades are fixed. They are set flat at 3/4" below the skids. Since I have no trouble keeping the crown I would have to say that no, I don't wish I did. I also have portions of my road that I want to have a flat pitch all the way across rather than a crown.

But I have never used one with adjustable blades or pitched depth blade so I am very interested in what they do. I don't think a 1/4" or 1/2" pitch across a blade will have much effect but if MotorSevens unit is going to have a 2" pitch then that should have a noticeable effect.

MotorSeven · Feb 2, 2012

Ease up Bep, I am not trying to give you a hard time..inflection is tough in the typed word. I have been maintaining this driveway for about 3 years with a BB with T&T and I can tell you from experience that it requires constant angle and depth adjustment because the grade is steep. Have you run a BB on a steep driveway? I can tell ya that it is a true pain in the arse:laughing: My driveway is almost a half a mile long and gains 200' in elevation. I have steep areas, one sharp turn and many curves. The BB will do the job, but it does not re-distribute the gravel where I want and requires constant adjustment as grade changes. I want a better mousetrap, that's all, and I am asking questions looking for facts. Speculation is something that wastes time and yes I fall victim to it from time to time

.

I have 700 hrs on my tractor in 3 years so if I shouldn't own one then I guess that must apply to most of us here on TBN

I called the Rep back and he assures me that it will not continue to dig once a crown is established. I am not taking his word for it and will contact LandPride today and see what they say about their adjustable model.

Here are some pic's of my driveway, and it is hard to tell but the first pic shows a grade that I am guessing is over 30 degrees:

I have a 6" crown on the steep areas and I still get water running down the drive when the wheel tracks get a wee bit too deep.

MotorSeven · Feb 2, 2012

Gordon Gould said:
Yes my blades are fixed. They are set flat at 3/4" below the skids. Since I have no trouble keeping the crown I would have to say that no, I don't wish I did. I also have portions of my road that I want to have a flat pitch all the way across rather than a crown.

But I have never used one with adjustable blades or pitched depth blade so I am very interested in what they do. I don't think a 1/4" or 1/2" pitch across a blade will have much effect but if MotorSevens unit is going to have a 2" pitch then that should have a noticeable effect.

Thanks Gordon, that info helps. I looked around and the 6' LandPride runs about $1200 so it is in the ballpark.
http://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/specs/303-230s.pdf

JoelT · Feb 2, 2012

A 3/4" cut won't work for me this time of the year - way too aggressive. This summer over dry hardpack that might be good. I never priced one but Roadrunner has hydraulically adjustable blades. I can't justify that kind of money (it's gotta be spendy) for that kind of adjustability but do now see it's advantages. If I only had to work a straight flat dry road fixed blades might work. I have everything but straight, flat and always dry.

MotorSeven · Feb 2, 2012

Joel, they are spendy to the tune of about $2500...way over my head.

JoelT · Feb 2, 2012

Motorseven, make sure the LandPrides blades hang below the angle iron backer material. I think that matters - some don't. If it doesn't matter you can get an AgriEase which is nearly identical (if not identical) to a LandPride for quite a bit less. They are made in China too and are stout. I got one for $950 but returned it.

MotorSeven · Feb 2, 2012

Interesting..I just called 4 LP dealers and none of them have ever sold a grading scraper. So I reckon that they are not too common around here. I did get a price though on the one Bep has...$1800.

I did call the owner of Grademaster David Shaw and he said that the fixed setting for crown is approx 1 3/4" and that I will not have a problem with it over cutting the crown over time. So, at $1100 delivered I think I will give it a go. I will report back here with positive and negative feedback on my particular application.

Gordon Gould · Feb 2, 2012

Motor, that is quite a road. I see why you have so much seat time. Looks like you do a pretty good job. But I realize that you have to in order to keep it from washing.

My road is long, a mile, but not as hard drainage wise as yours. My road also varies alot in quality along its length. It was a logging road when I started. Once I got it passable I started improving it section by section. A little each year. The first ten years I only had a rear blade. The scraper grader was a great addition for me. I am sure you will feel the same.