Seeders Driveway Maintenance - Box Scraper?

[jeff9366]

Here's an honest question. I've read in multiple places that you should buy a heavier implement (blade, leveler, etc.) based upon your tractor size. It will work better. That intuitively doesn't make sense to me.

The tractor Three Point Hitch lifts hydraulically, but drops by gravity. The Three Point Hitch applies no down pressure to the implement. So the implement weight, usually the implement weight per unit of width, determines penetration of ground contact implements; therefore the dirt cutting ability of implements.

Light Box Blades, light Rear Blades, etc., may skip over hard ground, not penetrating at all, where a heavier implement will penetrate the soil.

Second, some weight of Three Point Hitch mounted implements is transferred to the tractor rear wheels through the Three Point Hitch Lower Links, improving traction. Some weight is transferred to the front wheels through impetus from the Top Link, improving front wheel traction, especially if tractor has 4-WD.

The Three Point Hitch cannot apply hydraulic down pressure when tractor is moving because of Issac Newton's Law of equal and opposite reaction. The weight of the mounted implement must do the work.

 

[Fallon]

Heavier implements are more durable & penetrate the ground better due to increased ground pressure where they contact the ground. They don't work any better behind a bigger machine, assuming the smaller machine could actually pull it. The bigger machine can exert more force on an impliment. If you snag a root or rock with a big machine & light implement it will bend where a heavier implement wouldn't.

 

[JeffroL]

Okay, so basically the cheaper / lighter tool would in fact work, but would be more likely to be damaged by the more powerful tractor. Makes sense! Thanks everyone. I'm going to make do with my fixed blade while I save up for a land leveler. Looks like that's the way to go, but I can't spend $2000 on one right now.

 

[jeff9366]

If you are in Sperryville, Virginia, consider an LPGS from ETA for the Deutz:

Land Leveler Land Plane Utility Grader with Scarifier Shanks

Somewhat cheaper without rippers.

 

[JeffroL]

If you are in Sperryville, Virginia, consider an LPGS from ETA for the Deutz:

Land Leveler Land Plane Utility Grader with Scarifier Shanks

Somewhat cheaper without rippers.

I had looked at that model exactly. And yea, I could pull that behind my Deutz and likely be successful and not damage the tool based upon the feedback. It's a 35HP that's so old it's probably running more like a 30HP at this point. It doesn't like to run at full RPM / HP. I don't actually think I NEED an 8' tool, the driveway is extremely narrow in many places. An 8' leveler would probably cut the edges a lot.

-Jeff

 

[JeffroL]

I'm going to post a photo of a couple of challenging areas to get group views on whether a land leveler can handle the job. Look for those this afternoon and that might help sharpen the input I'm getting on the best and most appropriate tool.

 

[JeffroL]

Quick update: I recently purchased a ratchet rake for my bucket, and wow, that's exactly what I needed for the driveway. I use the teeth on the bucket as a scarifier and the blade on the back angled and backwards to smooth things out. It just works perfectly. Flawless driveway, no grass, and perfectly smooth. Not bad for $350.

 

[ovrszd]

Quick update: I recently purchased a ratchet rake for my bucket, and wow, that's exactly what I needed for the driveway. I use the teeth on the bucket as a scarifier and the blade on the back angled and backwards to smooth things out. It just works perfectly. Flawless driveway, no grass, and perfectly smooth. Not bad for $350.

Can you post pics of this operation?? Curious how you use the bucket teeth. Thanks!!!!

 

[JeffroL]

Can you post pics of this operation?? Curious how you use the bucket teeth. Thanks!!!!

I should have taken a picture while I was using it today. Drat!! Here's a video that generally shows what it is: Fantastic brush clearing etc loader attachment for just $33 Delivered Ratchet Rake Kubota B232 - YouTube. I purchases a 72" ratchet rake from here: Ratchet Rake, LLC - Tractor attachment, Bucket attachment, Loader, Skid loader, Kubota, Skid steer, Landscape rake, Brush remover, York Rake, Harley Rake, Rock Rake, Tractor rake attachment, Construction attachment, New Holland, Bobcat, Fire safety, Home fire safety, Fire prevention, John Deere, skid steer attachment, tractor implement. In a nutshell, it levelled the bucket and would drive forward with the bucket exerting enough down pressure so that I could still steer, but putting a lot of weight on the bucket. The blade on the back of the tractor I had rotated all the way around, so the curve was facing away from the tractor, e.g. it doesn't "dig" at all going forward. It's just scraping/levelling.

Then I drove forward, ripping the driveway up, exposing fresh gravel. The blade on the back was angled about 45 degrees to pull the gravel in from the side of the driveway. Amazing results. I should have taken before / after pictures. Went from two grass covered tracks and a 8" grass mound in the middle - to a nice level solid gravel surface. Some ripped grass mixed in, but REALLY REALLY good. Since I had the blade already - so $400 delivered and this is an excellent solution. Far better than spending $2-$4k on a land leveler!

 

[ovrszd]

Can't get the video to work. That's okay. Thanks.

 

[budepps3760]

I'm considering just holding off on any purchase at this point. The LPGS units are double the price of a Box Blade and that's for a lighter LPGS as well. To get into the 1000# range or higher, I'm looking at $2000+. I'm not quite ready to spend that. My fixed blade does a good enough job and is advantaged by already being in my shed

-Jeff

Go to govdeals.com and keep an eye out on the attachments as they become available for bidding. As long as you are not in a hurry (and thus desperate) something will come up within the specs that you are looking for. Also look at tractorhouse auctions in your area as well as craigslist. Just be patient and purchase what you need as items become available.

 

[CADplans]

I also refused to spend the $2K for a landplane,, but,,,,
I ended up building one that would cost north of $3K,,, IF I could buy one this heavy.

The DIY LP will do more in an hour than a rake and rear blade can do in four hours,,, I have had both.

Actually, the first time I used the LP,
I recovered close to 50 tons of gravel that had been moved to the ditches over the years of snow plowing.

It took me over half a day to move all that stone,, I was ready to dig the ditches out with a backhoe.
I am glad I built the LP,,, even over buying one. :thumbsup:

The LP does leave a "fluffed" driveway, I roll it with a DIY roller as a final pass.

 

[JeffroL]

Folks, to quickly resurrect this thread - will a land plane / leveler deal with a deeply grassed over driveway? I've got a 40 year old driveway that has a ton of gravel down there, but due to years of grass cutting, run-off, etc. is almost completely grassed over. Do I need scarifier shanks to rip that up? Would a leveler get rid of that do you think? I'm back to considering a full-time tool to manage this because the ratchet rake is just a pain in the butt to get on/off and spills a lot of gravel off the side of the driveway.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Folks, to quickly resurrect this thread - will a land plane / leveler deal with a deeply grassed over driveway? I've got a 40 year old driveway that has a ton of gravel down there, but due to years of grass cutting, run-off, etc. is almost completely grassed over. Do I need scarifier shanks to rip that up? Would a leveler get rid of that do you think? I'm back to considering a full-time tool to manage this because the ratchet rake is just a pain in the butt to get on/off and spills a lot of gravel off the side of the driveway.

Pictures please. This will help in making recommendations. :thumbsup:

 

[Fallon]

Folks, to quickly resurrect this thread - will a land plane / leveler deal with a deeply grassed over driveway? I've got a 40 year old driveway that has a ton of gravel down there, but due to years of grass cutting, run-off, etc. is almost completely grassed over. Do I need scarifier shanks to rip that up? Would a leveler get rid of that do you think? I'm back to considering a full-time tool to manage this because the ratchet rake is just a pain in the butt to get on/off and spills a lot of gravel off the side of the driveway.

It depends on how wide & heavy the LPGS is. A really heavy one that isn't to wide will dig in. If it's not heavy enough you'll need scarfiers or something else to tear up the grass & stuff so it can start planeing.

 

[Egon]

Go with scarifiers.

 

[CADplans]

Spray with Roundup,, wait a month (possibly 2 months) and the regular LP will do great.
Once the roots start to die,, the grass will be easy to move.

 

[JeffroL]

Pictures please. This will help in making recommendations. :thumbsup:

I will snap some photos on Sunday and post them. Good call. A picture is worth 1000 words.

 

[JeffroL]

I've hit this area with roundup several times, even the "1 year killer" stuff w/ salt. I SWEAR that stuff just let's this wiry / foxtail grass come back totally uncontested making it worse.

 

[ovrszd]

Many varieties have become "Roundup Resistant" over the years. I have found when treating a small area around my trailer loading dock that diesel fuel works best.