Grading with a loader

[TractorGuy]

I have tried to do this with limited success for the last 4 years. I still have to finish up with my tractor using a disc harrow and landscape rake and it's still not perfect but the land flows well enough to mow after the grass grows. The short answer is, with practice, you can get a decent first step grade with a large loader.

A lot has to do with the shape of the bucket. The rear of the bucket on my backhoe has a nice flat angle to the bottom. I can't get the float to work on either my backhoe or tractor so I have to get the bucket as flat as I can and work the ground going forward and reverse. I have learned to get a decent level with it but still occasionally have to fix some divots if I tilt it too far forward while driving forward. Tilting the loader bucket the least bit forward while driving forward will result in it digging in and making a trench. With my backhoe I use forward motion to cut the high spots for leveling and it's imperative to get the bucket bottom flat on the ground.

The bucket on my tractor has a angle so with the bottom of the bucket flat it doesn't place the rear edge in contact with the ground. I haven't had much luck grading with my tractor bucket because of it's shape. I may weld a piece of angle on the rear to correct this one day. I have a MTL RK5 grapple for my tractor that has a solid rear panel. It has a sharp edge in contact with the ground with the bottom flat on the ground. I get decent results grading with that.

 

[finn1]

What? It doesn't matter who's operating, my box blade with hydraulic top link is far far superior to backdragging. The amount of work and how fast it can be accomplished isn't even in the same hemisphere as my bb with hyd top link. What are you even talking about? I really don't understand such an outlandish statement.

Should read 電oesn稚 come close to backdragging with a CTL?

The CUT is inferior to a machine like a CTL that is designed from the start for moving dirt around. Plus, the added weight of a mid frame size CTL has a major advantage over the CUT (8400 lb, vs ~<5000 lb). Even my old small frame Deere, at ~5000 lb was better for grading than the CUT.

The tractor has its place, but there are better choices for grading dirt. The tractor has a significant price advantage, though. Itç—´ well over 50% less expensive, new, than a CTL.

Any idea why this forum, and this forum only, doesn’t play well with Apple products?

 

[ovrszd]

I'm kind of confused by some of the comments suggesting that he shouldn't do the grading himself. Everyone starts somewhere and for something as simple as back dragging the front bucket, the learning curve is pretty simple. While I never cared for the results that my 80 year old dad left, it was still better then nothing and very easy for me to touch up once he was done. Rarely did I ever tell him that I fixed it since that really didn't matter to anything.

Every pro started out with the first time they did something. Most will have firsts on a regular bases. They just adjust, deal with it, and get it done. There is no reason that anybody should think that they cannot do this. What's the worse that could happen? It takes more time then they guess a pro will take? Does that include waiting for the pro to get there too? Will the pro use less fuel by getting it done faster, but it will cost more for his time?

If you can afford to have others work your land for you, that's great, but I think that most want to work the land their self, and enjoy seeing the results that they create, and maybe save a buck and learn something new while doing their own work.

Yep .

 

[ovrszd]

Any idea why this forum, and this forum only, doesn’t play well with Apple products?

Conspiracy.

 

[Industrial Toys]

If you could see the bucket edge using a tractor, then, especially with a hydrosat, you could probably get similar results to a skid steer or tracked loader.

 

[Peter 315]

Use what you have its only gravel, Fake it till you make it

 

[ovrszd]

Use what you have its only gravel, Fake it till you make it

"Fake it till you make it".

I gotta remember that one!!!!

 

[4570Man]

If you could see the bucket edge using a tractor, then, especially with a hydrosat, you could probably get similar results to a skid steer or tracked loader.

A tractor can never equal a CTL for grading. The tracks aren’t as sensitive to dips, the non pivoting front end is better, the bucket is closer to the front of the machine and then the already stated problem that you can’t see the edge.

 

[ovrszd]

A tractor can never equal a CTL for grading. The tracks aren’t as sensitive to dips, the non pivoting front end is better, the bucket is closer to the front of the machine and then the already stated problem that you can’t see the edge.

Yep.

It would take an A+ tractor operator to grade with a C+ CTL operator.

 

[grsthegreat]

I agree with Eddie. I have used buckets for back dragging successfully for over 30 years. Even my old and small JD870 did a fine job at it. Never ever had a hydraulic issue.