Land leveler / land plain

[GPintheMitten]

Can you still have a crowned driveway using a land plane?

 

[ovrszd]

I built mine in 2009 and tried it with the blades about 1/4" below the skids and then added 1/4" wear strips to make the blades flush with the sides. No problem digging in with either setting, I would not bother with making the blade depth adjustable as I have never experienced the need for it.

The important things to consider when building a land plane grader scraper (lpgs)
weight, at least 100 lbs./ft of width, 150lbs/ft would be better imo.
long skids, longer skids help true up the surface for smoother results, true with most straight edge uses.
rigid frames. You want the frame to be rigid and non flexing on a plane in order to shave the ground flat and true.

Gordon is correct in that you want plenty of clearance for the dirt to flow through without piling up. There have been a few cases where leveling a field that trash has been gathered with my design. Next time I build one I will make the necessary changes to prevent this.
''
So far I have built two lpgs models one 8' and one 4', the smaller 4' has rectangular box tubing sides to reduce the gravel from being carried on the skids. It is a pain to turn around and have the gravel fall off the skids into the grass. Limiting the horizontal surfaces helps with that.

Some things I would change on the next build would be taller skids, thinking about 4x12 rectangular box tubing with the skids being 8' long. Wider width of 14' for better pasture smoothing but can still transport on a trailer with no problems.

Here are a few pics.

Why do you prefer blades square with sides rather than at an angle?

 

[jenkinsph]

Richard,
I haven't seen where it makes any difference when operating the plane level. But when you tilt it forward the leading edge will cut deeper and the trailing edge will rise up. You wind up with a tilted surface.

 

[ovrszd]

I had heard the ideal situation was opposite angles to shift the material laterally for filling low spots. Then if trying to crown always have the rear blade shifting material toward center of roadbed.

I want to build one and am just gathering info. Thanks for your advice and pics.

 

[bcp]

Unless you mount the blades at a greater angle than most, there is little or no sideways movement of material.

You can see this on some of the YouTube videos.

Bruce

 

[ovrszd]

Again, operating off Internet conversations, I'm told the build up of material on the blade will ride to the rearward end and then dump over. Then be picked up by the opposing blade and ride to the other end and then dump over.

I've only used one once. It had angled blades that were parallel. It definitely carried the material to the rearward end and then overflowed.

 

[bcp]

Watch at about 2:25.

Several overhead scenes here:

Land Pride Grader Scraper: The Driveway Tool Vol 2 - YouTube


Rear and overhead views here.

Spreader Grading road grader - YouTube

Befco Road Grader with Kioti CK2S - YouTube

Bruce

 

[ovrszd]

Watch at about 2:25.
Bruce

Yep. I see it dumping the most material over the rearward end. That's what I expected. He even explains that is what it will do.

With a small plane as that one, blades very close together, I can see that it wouldn't be very effective if the blades were not parallel. It would over fill the blade before it could move it back across.

Great videos. Thanks Bruce!!!

 

[jenkinsph]

I had heard the ideal situation was opposite angles to shift the material laterally for filling low spots. Then if trying to crown always have the rear blade shifting material toward center of roadbed.

I want to build one and am just gathering info. Thanks for your advice and pics.

I think it is plausible to do that particularly if the skids are longer and you increase the angles. I would have a gap on the front trailing edge to allow dirt or gravel to flow around and pass it to the rear blades leading edge.

All of that said when you look at the picture below the ground is still very even with simple straight blades on my 8' plane.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep. I also think the principle use is an important consideration. Mine would be gravel roadway maintenance.