Best implement for grading?

[BlacknTan]

I have the LandPride GS1560.

I just noticed that Tufline also makes a similar unit.. Don't know if it's cheaper than the LandPride, but it looks pretty nice..

Landscape LP Series Land Planes - Monroe Tufline

 

[ctgoldwing]

Until we find out more info, like at least tractor size, we probably should not recommend specific implements. If he has a bigger tractor, those 15 series implements are not going to hold up very well. Land Pride makes some great stuff, but it takes different series of implements for different size tractors.

Just a heads up FYI

Thanks to all for your insightful advice. I am about to pick up a 30-34 hp tractor - The brand / model are not set in stone but I am leaning towards the L3400.

 

[bpsooner]

I have tried both the FEL and a box blade. The box blade worked great once I got use to it. It took a while working with the gravel to get it smoothed out like I wanted it.

 

[Charlesaf3]

can you really smooth a gravel drive with a box blade? I just tried it today - messing around, and it scraped the gravel right off the subbase. I've been using a landscape rake, and pondering a dura grader type for a while. Wonder how they work on mostly gravel and on circles...

 

[AchingBack]

I absolutely love my 7' Bush Hog landscape rake with guage wheels. I use my 7' grader blade too, but only after floods have ruined the road. I use the grader blade to put it back together, and the rake to maintain the road.

 

[Gold Teef]

I need to 'trim out' my gravel driveway. Its about 500 feet long with a significan grade and reverse turn. I don't think I would be able to do a good job with just a FEL. A friend suggested I use an adjustable 3 pt blade as I am trying to maintain a pitch for rain to run off rather than down the driveway. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Regular use of a landscape rake with gauge wheels should work well.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

can you really smooth a gravel drive with a box blade? I just tried it today - messing around, and it scraped the gravel right off the subbase. I've been using a landscape rake, and pondering a dura grader type for a while. Wonder how they work on mostly gravel and on circles...

Charles, you know what they say, practice, practice, practice. Who are they anyway? Go get that Dura Grader type blade and quit putting off the inevitable.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Charles, you know what they say, practice, practice, practice. Who are they anyway? Go get that Dura Grader type blade and quit putting off the inevitable.

If I ended up doing local roads, I'd have a great excuse for a grader. Just my driveway is tougher.

I can see how they'd be outstanding on a dirt road, but has anyone used a grader on a gravel drive? The landscape rake with Gauge wheels workds well, but it keeps expanding the driveway as gravel flows off the edge - figured the sides of the grader might stop that?

 

[FxdGrMind]

I can see a Landscape rake doing that. as in expanding the road buy letting the rock flow out on the down hill side. I used to do that "Trying" to maintain my drive and comunity road with a little Garden tractor an 4' rake... realy just a joke.

Hence why I got the Blade. Rather than letting the rock flow through the fingers you scoop it up off the sides, mix it and generate a nice crown. Then to finish I back blade it to re-distribute the mixed material and form a crown with nothing expanding the road/drive etc.

As with anything it takes practice and getting used to the flow of the ground level and your 3pt, to maintain the proper adjustment so you don't create ruts rather than a smooth road.

Hence the Grader as it should do most of that for you and manage the re-distribution without enlarging your road/drive what ever.

I'll second the motion for you.... get the Grader!

 

[Charles]

Here is one with some rippers on it ..
Grading Scraper