Land Pride, Woods, Befco Grading Scraper

SW3 · Mar 20, 2014

Hello, I am planning to buy/order a 72" Grading Scraper next week. Tractor is a Oliver 550 - 43 HP.
All three units are priced the same - $1300. Weight is LP - 594, Woods - 655, Befco 702.
I will be maintaining a 1/2 mile gravel driveway, approx. 10-11 ft wide.
Question: the LP and Woods blade angle is set at 5 degrees, Befco is set at 10 degrees. My road currently has a nice crown which I want to maintain. Not sure if 5 or 10 degrees is better?
Any advice is appreciated! Thank You, SW3

mangus580 · Mar 20, 2014

I just went through this decision process, and I decided to get the Befco. The added weight, one more scarifier and adjust ability were among the high points in my choice.

Now, with that said, my second choice would be the Land Pride. It is almost the same as the Befco, although slightly lighter, one scarifier, and the angle like you said.

I did not notice the difference in angle, but I am not sure it really matters much. One might suggest the 10° might be a little easier to pull....

MtnViewRanch · Mar 20, 2014

The Befco has 12" sides, the LP has 14" sides and the Woods has 16" sides. I prefer the 3pt mast attachment setup over either of the others. Of those 3, I would choose the Woods unit. I have found that with the type of ground that we have, the taller sides are a big benefit and I would not want to do without that feature alone let alone that I prefer that mast system over the others.

Just my :2cents:

SW3 · Mar 20, 2014

Thanks Magnus850, have you used your Befco yet? If so, how much does the 10 degree angle blades pull the gravel to the center? Are we talking just a little bit? I just didn't want 10 degrees to be too much. SW3

MtnViewRanch · Mar 20, 2014

My blades are angled 12* and the gravel-dirt migrates to the side less than 1" as it goes up and over the blade. Actually about 1" after it goes over both blades. It just does not move side ways all that much.

mangus580 · Mar 20, 2014

I havent bought it yet...

Brian - what do you mean by 'mast' setup? Its odd you choose the woods.... I found that my least favorite...

MtnViewRanch · Mar 20, 2014

mangus580 said:
I havent bought it yet...

Brian - what do you mean by 'mast' setup? Its odd you choose the woods.... I found that my least favorite...

Take a look at all 3. The Woods is by far the strongest built in my opinion.

BEFCO - Products - Ground Engage Equipment - Grading Scrapers

GS15 Series Grading Scrapers | Land Pride

http://www.woodsequipment.com/uploadedFiles/Products/Literature/B011305_GRADING SCRAPER_INTRO.pdf

mangus580 · Mar 20, 2014

Hmmm... now you have me wondering again...

I do know I didnt like the way the woods blades adjust.... (well shoes rather)

Also, I think the price I got on the woods may have been like $300 more than the Befco

ARGH!! LOL Somehow I missed the minor weight difference between the 2.

MtnViewRanch · Mar 20, 2014

Do you have to get one of these 3? I prefer the simple GradeMaster and of course the over priced Road Boss.

I would probably go with a GradeMaster myself, and without all the moving ****. The LPGSers that I have, have no moving or adjustable parts other than for wear of the cutting edges. Simple, strong, nothing to ever have to fool with. Any adjustments needed for different grading conditions-situations are done with the "T&T". These units have worked well for me for going on 8 years now. :thumbsup:

bcoc · Mar 18, 2015

Does anyone know of dealers in or close to Southeast MN?

nch209 · Mar 19, 2015

Been shopping for one as well, and IMO I choose Befco. Too many wants on this list, and this isn't a priority, but it will come eventually. I like the befco so much, that I choose it over frontier and bush hog where I can buy either at dealer cost. I think the befco is worth the $$$

UncleBuck1 · Mar 19, 2015

MtnViewRanch said:
Do you have to get one of these 3? I prefer the simple GradeMaster and of course the over priced Road Boss.

I would probably go with a GradeMaster myself, and without all the moving ****. The LPGSers that I have, have no moving or adjustable parts other than for wear of the cutting edges. Simple, strong, nothing to ever have to fool with. Any adjustments needed for different grading conditions-situations are done with the "T&T". These units have worked well for me for going on 8 years now. :thumbsup:

Along this same line I would suggest looking at the Armstrong Ag DBG; simple design, well built and heavy.

http://www.armstrongag.com/app/download/3447077/DBG+-+DOUBLE+BLADE+GRADER.pdf

Professor Marvel · Mar 20, 2015

Have had a LP 1572 for 4 years. love it. I think you will be happy with any of them. I chose LP because I had a dealer local to me. The others look about the same. Keep an eye on the replaceable shoes. I wore almost all the way through before I realized it and any farther could have caused wear on the unit itself. The scariff teeth are nice to have from time to time.

Beaux Duke · Mar 20, 2015

I just got this unit after researching for months. For the same price you noted in your post I also got the rear gate option. It's called "The Bad Boy Grader" and is manufactured in Smithdale, MS. Probably too far away for you but there are other options out there. Good luck with your purchase!:cloud9:

paulfun9 · Mar 20, 2015

I went with the Befco 72 more because a dealer within an hour had one in stock when I needed it and made a great deal on it price wise. I think that for the most part as long as its built fairly well any of them will work just fine so I wasn't being picky on the brand just wanted to get the driveway done with a good deal I got on some millings last year so timing was very important. That being said I have no regrets going with the Befco unit as it works great and is a decent build. In hind sight I should have purchased one many years ago as it will definitely get more use than the box blade or grader blade and does a much better job without as much attention as the box blade or as many passes as the grader blade.

jenkinsph · Mar 21, 2015

Beaux Duke said:
View attachment 417363 View attachment 417364
I just got this unit after researching for months. For the same price you noted in your post I also got the rear gate option. It's called "The Bad Boy Grader" and is manufactured in Smithdale, MS. Probably too far away for you but there are other options out there. Good luck with your purchase!:cloud9:

That looks pretty good to me. Besides the clean simple design with a top mast set up similar to Cammond a rural community such as Smithdale can use the jobs.

nch209 · Mar 22, 2015

Beaux Duke said:
View attachment 417363 View attachment 417364
I just got this unit after researching for months. For the same price you noted in your post I also got the rear gate option. It's called "The Bad Boy Grader" and is manufactured in Smithdale, MS. Probably too far away for you but there are other options out there. Good luck with your purchase!:cloud9:

Where can we get more info about this grader? Thanks!

Beaux Duke · Mar 26, 2015

Sent you a PM with contact info.
Sorry for the delay. DW slipped and broke her wrist. Things have been hectic.
I never realized how much she did around here!!

Xfaxman · Mar 27, 2015

Does anyone have an opinion on the Everything Attachments Land Leveler-Land Plane? Recover your gravel road with the Everything Attachments Land Leveler, Land Plane, utility grader

Eric102 · Mar 28, 2015

I've been shopping for one for a while also, wished the EA one had rippers as an option. So far I'm liking the Woods GSS models the best, you can get them with or without rippers. I really like the heavy duty mast and adjustable/replaceable skid shoes. Product Details