crazyal
Super Member
I would say your test with your neighbor's tractor was a good start but was short on what you need to know. If possible I would ask if he could come over and repeat the test while you watch. Not knowing the tractor and not wanting to do damage most likely left you with the wrong impression. It's very possible that the tractor didn't have the power needed but usually I see my tires spin long before I run out of power. Grading scrapers usually aren't too power hungry.
I wouldn't be afraid of a turbo. There's a few simple precautions that you should take but they will last a lifetime. Don't shut the engine off after running it at high RPMs immediately and when working the engine hard let it idle for a minute or so to let the oil cool back down before shutting it off.
I pull an 72" GS behind my 45hp tractor (at 1000ft). I have a steep driveway. I have ag tires so they start to dig if they spin so I have to watch how much material I try to pull back up the hill. As I make repeated passes the gravel is loosened up so spinning tires is almost always an issue so I almost always have the diff lock engaged. 45hp should be more than enough for the task you are talking about. Many do it with much less. the 30hp ism tractor seams to be the sweat spot for the longest time for CUTs and only recently has larger HP tractors seam to have found plenty of buyers. Most people find that having extra HP is a good thing so I would pick the size you feel is right them get the most HP your budget will allow. HP is the one thing that you can't add after the fact.
I wouldn't be afraid of a turbo. There's a few simple precautions that you should take but they will last a lifetime. Don't shut the engine off after running it at high RPMs immediately and when working the engine hard let it idle for a minute or so to let the oil cool back down before shutting it off.
I pull an 72" GS behind my 45hp tractor (at 1000ft). I have a steep driveway. I have ag tires so they start to dig if they spin so I have to watch how much material I try to pull back up the hill. As I make repeated passes the gravel is loosened up so spinning tires is almost always an issue so I almost always have the diff lock engaged. 45hp should be more than enough for the task you are talking about. Many do it with much less. the 30hp ism tractor seams to be the sweat spot for the longest time for CUTs and only recently has larger HP tractors seam to have found plenty of buyers. Most people find that having extra HP is a good thing so I would pick the size you feel is right them get the most HP your budget will allow. HP is the one thing that you can't add after the fact.