JD 54" blade - OK for gravel?

[HokieMS]

I am in the market for a new mowing machine, for about 4 acres eventually, on our property where we just finished our new house. This machine will also pull double duty as a snow mover in the winter for our 1/4+ mile drive. I'm currently trying to decide between an X750 or a 1023. Which ever one I get will have the appropriate 54" blade on the front. My local dealer doesn't have the blades in stock for me to look at, so I thought I'd ask here: are either of these blades appropriate for moving a little bit of gravel? I have a rear blade for my model 4005, so it's not a necessary function. It just might be nice to use the new machine to push gravel sometimes instead of dragging it with the rear blade.
Thanks
Mark

 

[bigtiller]

It depends on your meaning of the word is ....... wait, that's a different thread.
Yes, it will move a little loose gravel. But the springs will let the blade trip before any serious work can be done. But for just playing around or drinking and driving, it's great.

 

[Deere Dude]

I used a 54" blade to smooth out gravel on my driveway using a 455 and also an X740 and even an older 420.

I also used it to backfill a 200' trench that was 6' deep and 2-3' wide for water and electricity. I have had a dump truck dump a 23 ton load of road gravel in the wrong spot and I leveled it off with a 2WD JD garden tractor.

They are not as handy as a FEL and a big tractor, but they are very good tools. They are sturdy enough so that a garden tractor won't bend them.

They have heavy springs just in case you hit a hidden tree stump or something but I almost always lock mine out and don't use that function.

 

[Gittyup]

You can lock the blade to prevent the springs from tripping. In fact I've kept mine locked for over 20 years. As for moving gravel: Yes as long as it's loose gravel. The front blade is nearly useless for highly compacted stuff unless blade set at severe angle and just taking a hint at a time. I guess I'm saying it's not a bulldozer. Rear mounted blade on 3ph is better suited for heavier material. Now for snow, that front blade is the Cat's meow. Of course, a heavier tractor will perform better. So you have to decide is heavy more important that a bit better maneuverability. That is one of the advantages of the X series. They fit into tighter spaces and no roll bar to get caught in trees and shrubs. If that's not an issue, then the 1-series is by far more bang for the buck. I have many low-limbed trees and shrubs, with really acute angles to cut. So, for me the X is best given that I have a bigger loader/backhoe tractor for the real tractor work. And if you have acute angles or tight spaces, consider the all-wheel steer option. It's for real a time saver and improves snow moving performance.

 

[HokieMS]

Thanks for the replies.
Gittyup, I have spent a lot of time weighing the pros and cons of the two tractors just as you have stated. I will probably just ask the dealer to let me borrow one or both of them and drive around the property. My only concern is the hill stability of the 1000 series, we have a small area that is fairly steep. It's a tough decision, but a tough decision on which tractor to buy is a good one to have

 

[DJGTWO]

The X-series four wheel drive will not tare up the grass on tight turns because of the proportional hydrostatic front axle. I believe the 1-series uses a PTO driven front axle that does not provide as much proportioning on tight turns.

 

[Gittyup]

Thanks for the replies.
Gittyup, I have spent a lot of time weighing the pros and cons of the two tractors just as you have stated. I will probably just ask the dealer to let me borrow one or both of them and drive around the property. My only concern is the hill stability of the 1000 series, we have a small area that is fairly steep. It's a tough decision, but a tough decision on which tractor to buy is a good one to have

The X700 series is excellent on slopes. Not as good as my old 425, but still quite excellent. The 1-series might have to go only straight up/down. Depends. One man's slope is another man's mountain.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

Mine has a lock on it to stop it from tripping, but be prepared to be jolted if you hit an obstruction. Also, go slow and gentle.

 

[Navvet]

I have an X495 2wd with the 54" blade.

The only use I have had for it with gravel is back dragging to smooth it out. Going forward, the blade is very limited with gravel.

But .... As you mentioned, it is great with snow.

 

[bu11seye]

I am in the market for a new mowing machine, for about 4 acres eventually, on our property where we just finished our new house. This machine will also pull double duty as a snow mover in the winter for our 1/4+ mile drive. I'm currently trying to decide between an X750 or a 1023. Which ever one I get will have the appropriate 54" blade on the front. My local dealer doesn't have the blades in stock for me to look at, so I thought I'd ask here: are either of these blades appropriate for moving a little bit of gravel? I have a rear blade for my model 4005, so it's not a necessary function. It just might be nice to use the new machine to push gravel sometimes instead of dragging it with the rear blade.
Thanks
Mark

When leveling gravel I like to drag old box springs (not cloth covered) with a cement block or two for weight. I've also successfully used a ten foot section of chainlink fencing. Four of five quick passes levels it out nicely.

~Lee