20060218
I can recommend this product as I own one and have used a smaller version on demo:
Terrabond Spreader Grader
Mine is a 7 foot with high sides, cost about $2200 plus frt back in 2004 I believe.
Now be advised I ordered mine via my Bobcat dealer so they bore the risk of any financial problems with Terrabond (and included it in my low rate financing even though they did not mark it up), who is a little unusual to deal with (may be a family operation, and very Louisiana). Not dishonest or unpleasant by any means, just a little different to a Virginia country boy like me /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
It works very well, but keep some facts in mind:
1- Dust: if you don't have a cab tractor (or ssl if you want that version), forget it. And if things are wet it will not do well (clogs).
2- Heavy. This doll is HEAVY, but that is what makes it work well. It somehow avoids doing windrows as a road grader does. Mine weighs 1300+#
3- It is expensive, but very well made. And the wearing parts, the 2 blades are std items available from equipment dealers. The skid shoes are welded but can be replaced by pieces of metal.
4- Pick the right size and be sure your tractor has hydraulic links for ease of tilting it. I found the 6 footer I first tried out was easier to set and I used it pretty well before I had adj links. But the big one I wound up with would be a bear without my hydraulic links.
And it does a good job--puts the fines under the gravel and makes your road look freshly graveled a lot longer than with just a regular blade. If you are careless it will make your road ever wider by spreading the gravel more and more. But by watching things you can prevent it.
Terrabond is located in Louisiana but I don't think they were affected much by Katrina.
One weird thing: the Terrabond company got its name from its chemical products (Dust cap, etc) that were designed to control gravel road dust. But they have been out of that business for over a year but have not changed their www site to eliminate references to that original product.
Terrabond bought this product from its designer who then worked for but soon fell out with them. That mess delayed my original demo for a while several years ago.
I'd pay a small premium to a good dealer to order something like this. In my case I actually got a better deal that way.
I have several files which I can make available if anyone wants them:
a- Price list from when I bought (was unchanged at least since 2002: now who knows?)
[I went ahead and posted that as an attachment here]
b- Picture of the 6 footer I tried out on demo
c- Instructions for my unit (about 2 pp)
For some reason, I have not taken pics of it in operation yet, that I can find. It is at our farm, and the road there is chipped tar, so I am not sure how much we will be using it there.
I have no stake in the company but my sense is this product is head and shoulders above what you folks are talking about here. It also costs more so you decide.
If anyone wants to ask any other questions of me on my experience, I'll be glad to answer.
Jim