Grading L3430 using dozer blade

tinytractors · Jul 1, 2005

I have a L3430 with a 723 loader and QA. I would like to get a dozer blade for it. I have seen some for Bobcat's and wonder if the L3430 would handle a 78" or 80" dozer. Any info would be a great help... I think that I may be expecting too much out of it for the HP/weight that my Kubota has.

As a side question... is there a way to search user profiles for a particular piece of equipment...

thanks... Pete.

cchoate · Jul 1, 2005

I don't think many compact tractors would handle a big heavy dozer blade. Are you looking to use it like a dozer?

tinytractors · Jul 1, 2005

I plan on using it to cut sidehill terrraces for some trails. The soil here in SE Virginia is a nice sand and some very hard clay. I've ben using a 6ft BB with a T&T, but don't like going in reverse all the time and I can't angle the cut dirt to fill in the spots that I want to get to.
I was thinking of a blade in the 1000 pound area...

I guess to answer the question... YES, like a dozer, except for taking down big trees.

thanks... Pete.

Rick_Morrell · Jul 1, 2005

Pete:

I wouldn't, if it were my tractor. What you've described is track-type tractor work (small oval track with a 6-way blade - D3 size or similar). If I were you, I would check the rental places to see if they had any small TTT's available. Or, on the other hand, pay someone to do it for you. It's the safest way to go, in my opinion.

Good luck!
Rick

KennyV · Jul 1, 2005

Pete, I have to agree with Rick, that is definitely a job for track machine. You can do light dozer work with a loader, I’ve got a 4n1 bucket. The problem you will get into is the loader arms are not designed to take a lateral load. You can over stress things if you are not careful. That is easy to do with a snow blade mounted to your loader arms. KennyV.

cisco · Jul 2, 2005

Some of us do limited "dozer" type of stuff (I've an L3410), going backwards with a box blade (mine, and most others, have a reinforced blade on the back lip of the box). However, if you try to tackle much, all you'll do is spin tires (4WD, R4 tires, locked rear transmission). As far as a blade on the front of the tractor - 1. you'll not get any better traction than with the box blade, and 2. the FEL arms may well not be made for that kind of pressure.
Stay "real" - it's a small tractor, not a dozer. You can, however, take on leveling work in small bites, a few inches at a time - much more time involved, and it gets kind of boring, but, it works, eventually.

tinytractors · Jul 2, 2005

Thanks again for all the inputs... I knew that I was getting into something way beyond my experience... and so when in doubt go visit TBN.

The box blade seems to be the best choice for this job, just like I have been doing.

Tried to get fancy, now I'll keep it simple and safe (for me and the equipment).

Till later. Pete.

Highbeam · Jul 6, 2005

My current "tractor" is an international dozer. It is a 45 HP diesel that weighs 10,000 lbs and has a 7 foot wide 6-way blade. I am limited by traction pretty quickly when I try to cut the terrace out of a sidehill and get spun around so I am facing uphill pretty quickly if the bite is a little too big.

I bought the dozer instead of a tractor for this type of work and it is still not lightning quick

I guess I am reinforcing your conclusion that a tractor with a dozer blade won't do the type of work you're asking about. Even a dozer won't do it really eazy.