compact TLB vs. full size TLB

[jfh0jfh]

Grading is real tough, even with a dozer. A 6 way blade is the nuts though. My wife is getting pretty good. I will have to post some photo's of her work.

I do ok with a loader or excavator.

I have a CAse 450 w/ 6-way. I just need to practice more with it. Today in fact. I just can't get the knack of it - looks and feels great when I'm in it but when I look back over it I'm not even close.

If I'm careful I can do a better rough job with my backhoe. I know this isn't right so I need to work on my trechnique.

In fact, grading is the hardest thing I do - general grading on the farm and around buildings (this is a farm partially on a hillside).

 

[jmfox]

It would interesting to hear from someone who has mastered the blade. I know it's all about starting and staying level and keeping dirt in front of the blade. The rest is timing. When I use a box scraper I can anticipate change, but with the dozer my adjustments do not make the grade.

jmf

 

[jfh0jfh]

It would interesting to hear from someone who has mastered the blade. I know it's all about starting and staying level and keeping dirt in front of the blade. The rest is timing. When I use a box scraper I can anticipate change, but with the dozer my adjustments do not make the grade.

jmf

Thabt's exactly what it is for me. I can't quite get the feel for holding grade and ending up w/ what I want.

practice I think, just more practice.

 

[Builder]

It would interesting to hear from someone who has mastered the blade. I know it's all about starting and staying level and keeping dirt in front of the blade. The rest is timing. When I use a box scraper I can anticipate change, but with the dozer my adjustments do not make the grade.

jmf

I thought it was quite easy.

 

[JPCjr]

You could easily do it yourself. A dozer is easier to master than a backhoe. You could have a rental unit dropped off at your building site and have at it. Give yourself credit, you seem like a capable guy.

Haha.. thanks for the vote of confidence.

I think I could probably get a road cut in with a dozer, but I don't think it would be pretty. I think I could do a much better job with a backhoe w/ 4n1 bucket and a tractor w/ boxblade.

 

[DrRick]

I find that if I turn the blade at the extreme angle and then lift the most forward tip slightly, so that the forward tip is about an inch off the ground the trailing edge is digging in . This also allows the blade to travel over humps at an angle which smooths them out easier. I travel one way and then return on the oppisite side. I end up with a road that looks as of a maintainer had done it. Remember to take the least amount of dirt load that you can and it will be enough- to your surprise. Hope that helps.
rick

 

[jmfox]

That's an interesting tip. Does this apply to loose or settled ground? Do you also find that it is important to keep the machine level?

jmf

 

[DrRick]

It does make a difference if it is loose or hard - however if you don't get in a hurry the angle will keep you from make those humps that seem to occur so easily. I have my hand on the control all the time and will make small height adjustments as I go. After a few passes the road is level and then the dozer will stay level with very little input from me as it follows the ground. You relly get in trouble when you try to DIG the dirt instead of sculpt it. I have decided that I can always take half the bite I want to and it works much better, and it also makes the job go faster in the end.
rick
P.S. On a side note the loose stuff really responds well to backdragging with the blade angled with the rear side of the blade higher and the blade set in the float position. The faster gears for this seems to offer a smoother finish.

 

[RedOak]

I'm obviously a little late here, but the fact that I'm even reading this thread shows that the TBN information archive is a living thing.

If anyone is considering working a large parcel of land -- from the ground up -- you cannot go wrong with a full size backhoe. And if you have a tough parcel of land, as we do, you will be very glad you invested in a 4x4 machine. Our land has a few terraces in the topography, but it generally climbs a small mountain. Add the large amount of precipitation we get in this part of the country, and you've got some tough operating conditions.

And as Builder detailed back when this thread was started, you can get very creative with how a machine like this can be used -- you will end up surprising yourself.

I've never owned a TLB, but once you've tilted either end of a 10 ton machine up to the 20 degree region -- due to the sheer weight you're working on -- you'll know that a machine can never be too big. I'm sure that smaller machines work great for certain jobs, but I can tell you, from experience, that construction type work usually requires serious brawn.

Just my two cents...

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I'm obviously a little late here, but the fact that I'm even reading this thread shows that the TBN information archive is a living thing.

If anyone is considering working a large parcel of land -- from the ground up -- you cannot go wrong with a full size backhoe. And if you have a tough parcel of land, as we do, you will be very glad you invested in a 4x4 machine. Our land has a few terraces in the topography, but it generally climbs a small mountain. Add the large amount of precipitation we get in this part of the country, and you've got some tough operating conditions.

And as Builder detailed back when this thread was started, you can get very creative with how a machine like this can be used -- you will end up surprising yourself.

I've never owned a TLB, but once you've tilted either end of a 10 ton machine up to the 20 degree region -- due to the sheer weight you're working on -- you'll know that a machine can never be too big. I'm sure that smaller machines work great for certain jobs, but I can tell you, from experience, that construction type work usually requires serious brawn.

Just my two cents...

I am new to BH's but I was taken back how our 13K pound 1983 JD 310B seems to be on the light side unless stuck.

After a person has everthing perfect with no more dirt to move in a major way the lighter machines might rule. I used our hoe only to pull out the heavy 265 MF the other day and the MF was not even running. Well it was my 12 year old son who did it as I watched. The kids are better on the joy sticks than dear old dad. :laughing: