Dura-Grader... a user review...

SonnieP · Sep 16, 2005

lol... I only know the price of mine... it was $1020 delivered. There was a dealer in Montgomery who had an angled 6' unit (not industrial) and I believe they wanted $700 for it... but don't hold me to that figure, my memory is thin.

I have now added 3 before and 3 after pics to the duragrader page I built that shows my sister-in-law's driveway that I did. They really only had dirt and grass with potholes... very little gravel or rock. It smoothed it out nicely but now I'd say they should get a load of rock to keep it from washing, especially on the hilly entrance. Also after it rains I can re-grade it and I believe it will be even better.

willfick · Sep 17, 2005

Hey Sonnie
I'm getting my nerve up to try to homemake something similar. It looks pretty simple; the only thing I can't tell is how far the blades extend below the skids. An inch or two, maybe? or are they adjustable over about what range? All my fab work is based on rough approximations; I operate on the principle that anything is better than nothing.
Thanks, Wm

willfick · Sep 18, 2005

And now, a day later, I see you answered that above.
No wonder I lost out on that Nobel.
Wm.

SonnieP · Sep 18, 2005

Yeah... if you can work with metal then it shouldn't be that big a deal to build something like this... then pick up a couple of cat blades and you'll be all set.

It's important to get the cutting angle right on the blade. I can't tell ya what it's suppose to be but I do remember Richard explaining to me the importance of the angle so that it would cut properly.

Taylortractornut · Sep 18, 2005

When I made mine I put my blade 1/2 inch to 5/8ths below the skids then the back blade is flush with the bottom to spread the stone and dirt. I just built a building pad and used mine for finish grading and smothing on it. works great and makes a fine back dragging tool to.

willfick · Sep 19, 2005

I figured that the angle would really matter. And I'm pretty sure I won't have it right the first try. But that's what a side grinder's for, I 'spose. If it works I'll let y'all know.
Wm