Dirt Scoop

[mwemaxxowner]

Have the sand dumped in the middle of your lawn when the soil is dry. You will not injure the sod.

Spread sand in rays from the center pile with the Box Blade. Finish spread with the Landscape Rake. Touch up result with a hand rake.

I believe the triple combination above will work better for you spreading sand than a dirt scoop.

Box Blade is for soil/sand transport over short distances like within 1/2 acre.

That may work. Typically it is dumped in piles in a uniform manner, spread around by hand somewhat and finished with a drag mat. Wanting a dirt scoop, or borrowing a tractor with a FEL (which I've considered) is so that I can dump the piles like I've said, where I can then knock them down and finish with my drag mat. I think a lot of folks dump piles, broadcast a bit with shovels, brush it around with a push broom and/or rakes, drag the mat. I have a 36" landscape rake (hand tool) that will be part of this process. Renting a top dressing machine is also a possibility, but I always prefer to put renting money toward something I can own and use in the future.

However I distribute the sand, I'm going to use a drag mat as the last step. I have Centipede grass, it is not as hardy and does not handle many stresses as well as some other grasses. If I use a box scrape or a landscape rake I'll have to be careful not to tear up the grass with it. It spreads by stolons alone so if you cut them it doesn't also have rhizomes below the surface too.

I do think I'll dump it in the center if I think I'll have enough time to knock it all out quickly before it kills the grass underneath the pile, but I do have to be careful not to drag something along the surface and tear the grass up too badly. Centipede recovers and fills back in very slowly.

I built my own scoop, lifts with a winch. I made the bucket 36" wide and it works pretty good for what it is. I moved all that gravel in the background with it. Yours being a bigger tractor, I would think a 36" would be no problem.
View attachment 676280 View attachment 676281

I like that a lot! Where can I buy one? Lol

 

[mwemaxxowner]

You probably need to stay with a 30" scoop..
It would be a better fit for your tractors capabilities and weight.
There's a huge difference when loading in reverse with loose, dry non-compacted dirt/sand than a double axle load that's been dumped sitting and wet.

I was hoping that even if this sand is wet and I couldn't lift a full scoop, that I could just lift a partial scoop for this job as though it's a smaller scoop, and still have a bigger scoop for other jobs in the future. I'm guessing the weight of the scoop itself is not a great deal more? If it's too big dimensionally to fit very well on the 3ph or too heavy when unloaded then I should definitely pass on it and go for the smaller AND cheaper scoop!

 

[airbiscuit]

Functionally, there won't be a large difference in the work performed with a 30" dirt scoop. There will be a large difference in the amount of traction and wheel spin with a 36" dirt scoop.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

That pretty much seals the deal!

I've already found and bookmarked the information @jeff9366 posted. I've also located a digital download of the manual for the tractor that I'll probably purchase.

I'd like to figure out what it may take some day to add a FEL to it and really add some functionality to this tractor. It was an available option so it should be possible.

 

[jeff9366]

I'd like to figure out what it may take some day to add a FEL to it and really add some functionality to this tractor. It was an available option so it should be possible.

Your tractor was last produced 32 years ago. A White 1025QA Loader is not too likely to be still available.

The first thing to determine is if the Loader hydraulic valve necessary to operate a Loader is on your tractor or if it will need to be purchased ($$) in addition to the Loader.

There are several producers of aftermarket tractor Loaders.

LINK: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...-aftermarket-loader-suppliers.html?highlight=

 

[mwemaxxowner]

No I'm sure I'm not going to run across an original White loader. There's no joystick for a loader on the tractor right now, if that's what you're talking about.

 

[jeff9366]

Lack of a joystick has little bearing on whether or not a Loader hydraulic valve is on your tractor.


There is an original White 1025QA loader manual listed on eBay for $26.95

LINK: WHITE 125 QA LOADER PARTS INSTRUCTION MANUAL "NEW" | eBay

 

[mwemaxxowner]

When I googled front end loader hydraulic valve that's what came up. Hence my reply.

I don't think you mean a diverter valve, it's my understanding that's only necessary if I want a grapple or other accessory. I was trying to figure out what to look for. My guess is it's not there

I'll start by downloading the manuals for the tractor and for the loader. For now I'm just curious to know what it'll take and get a rough idea what it will cost.

Thanks.

 

[jeff9366]

Have the sand dumped in the middle of your lawn when the soil is dry. You will not injure the sod.

Spread sand in rays from the center pile with the Box Blade. Finish spread with the Landscape Rake used on an angle, so sand move across the rake face. Touch up result with a hand rake.

I believe the triple combination above will work better for you spreading sand than a dirt scoop.

Try using your TPH Landscape Rake reversed. With the dirt contact end of the spring tines oriented AWAY from the tractor it is unlikely tines will tear your Centipede turf.

For now I'm just curious to know what it'll take and get a rough idea what it will cost.

Loader $4,000 with freight. Loader hydraulic valve additional.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Try using your TPH Landscape Rake reversed. With the dirt contact end of the spring tines oriented AWAY from the tractor it is unlikely tines will tear your Centipede turf.

That's a very good idea for spreading my piles out!