Hoes and BBs

[ron45]

I've seen a skilled BB operator in action and was amazed at the changes he was able to make in pitch and grade on an arroyo crossing. Can a skilled FEL / backhoe operator match the speed and effiency of a bb on road work? I think I know the answer because of the tilt or angle changes you can do with a bb.

Would a 3 point mounted straight blade or a toothed one that could be angled match the bb at grading tasks? I'm assuming equal skill levels.

 

[schoolsout]

To my dismay, this thread isn't what I assumed it was going to be about...

 

[ron45]

I smiled at the possible interpretation while typing the subject. I admit to being a tractor ****.

 

[RoMad]

First; I don't think a good bucket operator can even come close to keeping up with a good box blade operator doing grading work.

Second; I was disappointed too.

 

[ron45]

Well I suppose we could start a racy double entendre tractor forum. We could call it The Trixter's House of Love and Discipline. [In indian religion coyote is known affectionately as the the trickster]

 

[CJONE]

I have found in my case that I can level and grade way faster with a bucket than my BB. Now setting the crown on a road is a different story, the BB works great for that. CJ

 

[ron45]

That extra 20 horses might help there. With only thirty the loader isn't as useful if it's packed soil. Having to turn around and scratch it up some with the bucket will slow things down for me. Slow and steady is ok for me for now. I think anyone would rather haver a bigger one than he now has......... but the earth is patient and knows I'm on it's side.

 

[sodamo]

From time to time I regrade a portion of my drive. I use my landscape rake to reclaim some of my washed out rock. I find the TnT extremely helpful, especially working any crown. As I only have a rather thin layer or 3/4 minus over much larger rock, I found my BB too destructive, wanting to dislodge my base.

 

[ron45]

Thanks Sodamo, that makes sense. Do you know if there is a page somewhere describing meanings of all the initials pertaining to tractors and impliments we use to save time. I can figure out some of them but TnT is evading me at the moment. Parts of our access road have heavy underlayment with 1" or 3/4 minus on top. I'll have to take a look at the landscape rake. That sounds interesting.

 

[sodamo]

TnT is Top and Tilt
Top is a hydraulic top link
Tilt is a hydraulic cylinder to control 3 point tilt.

Combination gives really good control, much faster than manual and in someways more control IMHO

David