Implement Advice Needed

[Scotty Dive]

Folks...

I have a very steep hill on my property - at some points is almost 45 degrees.

What I was trying to do this weekend was angle my back blade using the lift arm adjustment and back into the side of the hill to pull material forward and build a path that is more horizontal so I can travel across the steep part of the hill - like terracing. I didn't have much luck scraping a horizontal path especially with the New England rocks that the blade kept finding.

Is there an implement that might make this job easier? I saw a video of using a box blade to dig a trench (which is sort of what I am trying to do) I just wonder about the tines just skipping over the large rocks.

Also - after getting my tractor stuck in wetlands area of my property (and it rained 3 + inches the night before) I broke my cheap HF come along. I am in need of a high quality winching system in case this happens again - and it will!!!! Anyone know of a better way than a come along to pull out a tractor or a high quality USA manufactured come along?

 

[deepNdirt]

Compacted soil is always difficult to move, especially with only the use of a scrape blade, I use a plow or disk harrow to get the soil broken up first, usually a couple of passes with a plow will get the harden surface crust loose enough to move, you can probably still use the scrape blade as you were although a box scrape would be a more Beneficial tool to own, a Box Scrape has scarifier teeth that will help to break up the soil and move it all in one pass, If once owning a box scrape you will find multiple uses for this tool,
I bet I have moved hundreds tons of soil with only the use of a box scrap
As for a way to pull the tractor out from being stuck in the mud and you stated having to do this frequently,
Perhaps you should invest into an electric wench for the tractor, actually there is a portable unit that can be hooked onto either front or rear,

 

[Scotty Dive]

I was thinking about an electric winch but I doubt the dynamo/battery would be able to handle the amp draw for very long. I guess I could bring a spare charged battery down to where I get stuck....

I am heading to an Ag auction in a few weeks - hopefully they will have a box blade I can pick up reasonable. What should I look for?

 

[winston1]

Here is mine. Not been tested in a real situation. Did run it playing around for several pulls. Definitely think your battery should have enough juice to get you out of a mud hole. I have it wire up where I can just plug it in when needed. Not sure the winch is big enough. It is this one from Harbor Freight. Camouflage 12 Volt 3000 Lb. Capacity Wireless Remote Controlled Portable Winch with Roller Fairlead Mounted on this. Hitch Mount Vise Plate I think I gave $49 or $59 for the winch with a saver coupon.

 

[284 International]

What about trying a tool bar or Keulavator frame with a ripping shank or two on the side you're trying to cut the hillside with? If the rocks are really big you'll be stuck no matter what, but with only one or two of the rippers the tractor may be able to power through, or pull the rock to the top. Do as many passes as needed to get some loose spoil, then use the blade to pull it out and level it.

Something like that would be easy and cheap to make, or purchase. I'm thinking of something like a subsoiler, but maybe not as deep, with the ripper offset to one side. I've done that to cut trenches where I can't get the tractor to straddle the path I need.

 

[deepNdirt]

Most of the better made Box scraps will have cutting edges on both side of the rear of the box, this is good when needing to pull or push when moving dirt,
I prefer to use the kind that has only the inside cutting edge,
can drag the soil to the location and then back-blade/ or push backward over the soil to buildup and smooth over, while if having an outer blade it gets more difficult to regulate the adjustment of the blade to keep from pushing the soil again, I suppose it would depend on the need you have? I got this Box scrap as a package deal when buying my Kubota, I'm sure it was an el-cheap-o although has last me 12 years through vigorous use, I thought about buying a heavier duty with double edge blades,
although after borrowing one and using it for a day I soon realized this was not the kind I needed to own and use with the size tractor I had,
here are the 2 options available, Note: the one with the outside cutting edge, and mine with no outer cutting edge, I'm sure you can see how much easier it would be to smooth without the edge when pushing backward,:thumbsup:
if you look hard enough to the left side of my Box scrape you will See 2 holes along the lower edge, It has another set of holes on the right side as well, I drilled these holes so that I can attach a spade cutting blade to either side when needing to cut trenches, I fist start out with using the spade and making several passes to establish the line of the trench, I then remove the spade and lower the corner of the box into the cut soil and pull,
You could do this as well when needing to dig down only one side of a hill to level a pathway,

 

[Scotty Dive]

I have a Cat 0 bottom plow I was thinking of doing something like that Keulavator frame would do...trying to offset it.

Keep the ideas coming!

 

[Egon]

Sidehill:
Use the bucket. First thing is to make a level spot where you plan to start. Then hook the inside corner of the bucket and dig out some dirt. Dump this dirt on the downhill side. Keep doing this but do not advance ahead until you have dug out enough dirt to extend the original level start. Just keep repeating the procedure and make sure the base your tractor is sitting on is kept level.

Note: Level means a horizontal road surface. The steepness will vary as to where you wish the road to go.

The first part is difficult. As you progress it gets easier.

Caution: The dumped dirt on the side will be loose so use caution as you drive the tractor on it. Basically keep the rear wheels on the level semi packed surface you are making.

 

[California]

Here is mine.

It is this one from Harbor Freight. Camouflage 12 Volt 3000 Lb. Capacity Wireless Remote Controlled Portable Winch with Roller Fairlead Mounted on this. Hitch Mount Vise Plate

I have the HF Camo Winch too. I don't know if it would pull a stuck tractor alone, but with the line doubled I think it would give enough assist to help the tractor drive itself out of trouble.

They often advertise it at $59, occasionally at $49. Well worth it.

In my light use, it hardly draws this auxiliary battery down at all.

More description of my trailer lift.

 

[California]

Sidehill:
Use the bucket. First thing is to make a level spot where you plan to start. Then hook the inside corner of the bucket and dig out some dirt. Dump this dirt on the downhill side. Keep doing this but do not advance ahead until you have dug out enough dirt to extend the original level start.

Egon speaks from experience. Listen to him.



From the textbooks, no personal experience here. This might give you some ideas:
Moving the Earth, the classic on earthmoving, says use a bulldozer and drive downhill at right angles to your intended road cut. Cut and push material forward from the uphill side of the road to fill the downhill side. Move the crawler a few feet sideways, repeat....