Driveway grader

coachgrd · May 30, 2017

I just purchased one of these driveway graders from Home Depot:

Handozer 42 in. Dirt and Gravel Drag for Lawn Mower-D3.5-MG - The Home Depot

I have a 180' driveway that requires pothole filling 2-3x a year. This implement had a 4.6 rating out of 5 in 50-some reviews. Looks like it may not be as good as the DR power grader, but the reviewers speak well of it as a good alternative to the more expensive DR.

Any of you have experience with one or one similar? Going to be pulling with my Kubota 1870.

airbiscuit · May 30, 2017

I would consider a landscape rake. (Even better if it has gauge wheels)

Ford850 · May 30, 2017

I haven't seen them before, but that looks like it would work on my gravel drive as long as it wasn't too dry. It looks like a pretty good fit for the BX1870.

BrokeFarmerJohn · May 30, 2017

If this little drag works, can't beat the price, those spikes don't look like they will last long.

boggen · May 30, 2017

having the gauge wheels to lift it up and down. *thumbs up* to feather out the gravel BUT
TractorData.com Kubota BX187 tractor information
you have a cat 1 3pt hitch. a box blade, rear blade, land plan/grader scraper. 3pt hitch versions might be less hassle and easier on your muscles and less hassle backing up and turning around.

the scraficers / teeth up front. not so sure about. you may have issues getting them to dig in. more so it looks like unit is not that heavy. so more issues getting them to sink in. the angle of the teeth. i question some as well. with drag harrow i have, i can adjust the teeth angle. to help dig in or not dig in. and looks like even more issues of the teeth digging in. even with a box blade, the scraficers tend to have a ripper point that adjusts better so they can dig in better. but the spikes on this unit. *shrugs*

the tooth blade on rear. seems more of lack of weight of unit. and trying to to get the blade to dig in some.

coachgrd · May 30, 2017

boggen said:
having the gauge wheels to lift it up and down. *thumbs up* to feather out the gravel BUT
TractorData.com Kubota BX187 tractor information
you have a cat 1 3pt hitch. a box blade, rear blade, land plan/grader scraper. 3pt hitch versions might be less hassle and easier on your muscles and less hassle backing up and turning around.

the scraficers / teeth up front. not so sure about. you may have issues getting them to dig in. more so it looks like unit is not that heavy. so more issues getting them to sink in. the angle of the teeth. i question some as well. with drag harrow i have, i can adjust the teeth angle. to help dig in or not dig in. and looks like even more issues of the teeth digging in. even with a box blade, the scraficers tend to have a ripper point that adjusts better so they can dig in better. but the spikes on this unit. *shrugs*

the tooth blade on rear. seems more of lack of weight of unit. and trying to to get the blade to dig in some.

They do recommend using a brick utop the unit, preferably one where the cavities are filled with concrete, so I'll be doing it. That being said, if it doesn't do the job, I'll be taking it back to HD. I'll report my findings!

phiferpharm · May 30, 2017

I have the DR Power Grader and am putting it up for sale as soon as I figure out how to use letgo. I tried it for a dirt driveway and it was useless.

airbiscuit · May 30, 2017

phiferpharm said:
I have the DR Power Grader and am putting it up for sale as soon as I figure out how to use letgo. I tried it for a dirt driveway and it was useless.

Make one of these ...

Uncle Lar · May 31, 2017

I've got an 80 yd driveway that hadn't seen new gravel for years before i bought the place, had potholes and high center. Bought the handozer, added 2 concrete blocks. pull with old riding mower without the deck with tire chains. works fine, does take a LOT of laps. And keep the grass poisoned. Works best after a rain. The neighbor thought I'd put down new gravel.

coachgrd · May 31, 2017

Uncle Lar said:
I've got an 80 yd driveway that hadn't seen new gravel for years before i bought the place, had potholes and high center. Bought the handozer, added 2 concrete blocks. pull with old riding mower without the deck with tire chains. works fine, does take a LOT of laps. And keep the grass poisoned. Works best after a rain. The neighbor thought I'd put down new gravel.

Thanks Uncle Lar, good to know. Curious though, what do you mean "keep the grass poisoned"?