LPGS For Kubota B2910

[rswyan]

Time to start thinking about the design for the next build and am looking for input from the TBN Brain Trust.

I know longer/wider is better for these things ... but I also know that there is a limit to what our little tractor will pull (30 hp gross, 22 hp PTO, around 1700 lbs for the basic tractor without FEL) ... I have a 5' Wood box blade that when full can slow it to a crawl.

I have some of the materials materials to get started:

10" C-channel ... looks to be either C10 x 20 or 25 - two pieces each 7' long

3/8" x 3" angle, two pieces each 6' long

2" Schedule 80 pipe - one piece 6' long

May also have some other odds and ends that I can use to cobble together the 3PH and other parts (thinking of doing a swinging tailgate, etc.) but I may have to pony up for some more material.

Clearly I was thinking of 6' wide when I cut the steel ... so I would like some feedback/input on how long to make the C-channel in terms of the overall length. I'm also open to reducing the width - if I can't reasonably expect to pull it with what I have.

Open to suggestions for any other handy features as well.

 

[ovrszd]

I used to have a B2910. 99% of the time it handled a 5' BB. I think it will handle a 6' LPGS.

I'm wanting to build one also. For me, I wouldn't think the 10" C channel is tall enough for side plates, if that's the intent. Also wondering if the 3" angle is big enough to fasten the cutting edges to?

Anxious to watch the build though!!!

 

[rswyan]

I used to have a B2910. 99% of the time it handled a 5' BB.

Yup ... only time I ever really had a problem was with the rippers all the way down and the box completely full of moist clay.

I think it will handle a 6' LPGS.

I think it will too ... assuming I don't build it too long (or too tall for that matter)

At a 7' length, I'm looking at 280 to 350 lbs, just in C-channel alone ... which is a lot of weight that far behind the pins.

I'm wanting to build one also. For me, I wouldn't think the 10" C channel is tall enough for side plates, if that's the intent.

Yup, it was the intent.

I had the C-channel from another project that got scrapped/killed before it was built and figured I possibly could repurpose it to a LPGS.

The other possibility would be using the C-channel to build a shop press.

I just measured the height of the side plates on my box blade and they are a good bit taller: 16" at the front, 17" at the rear ... :scratchchin:

Also wondering if the 3" angle is big enough to fasten the cutting edges to?

I dunno why it wouldn't be ... but I've never built of these either ...

Anxious to watch the build though!!!

Thanks.

 

[ovrszd]

I'd suggest contacting the County or Township or whatever form of government you have that maintains your gravel roads to see about buying a couple used grader cutting edges. They are usually in 7' lengths since most graders use a 14' moldboard. You might get lucky and get them given to you. I run a township grader for a pastime job. I have given away several used cutting edges over the past 25 years. One pair was to a guy building a LPGS.

 

[rswyan]

ovrszd,

That's a great idea :thumbsup: Dunno if the local city I live in has a motor grader in their fleet, but there probably several others nearby that do.

 

[oosik]

I'll second the idea of using motor grader blades. My BIL got me a brand new one - and its on my rear blade. The ones used by the county have a much higher grade of steel than you normally get. Bit of a PITA getting holes drilled but its heavy, in the extreme, and looks as though it will last forever.

 

[ovrszd]

No need to drill holes in them if building an implement to use them on.

 

[rswyan]

Another possibility is my next door neighbor - he's fleet maintenance mechanic for a local heavy equipment sales/leasing/rental place.

Just checked their website and they do have motor graders in their rental fleet.

 

[jenkinsph]

If you want to be able to use reversible 6" wide grader blades with the holes centered along its length then you should use a 4" angle for mounting. The 4" dimension has enough room to mount and bolt down with enough clearance. FYI, new grader blades 6" x5/8" thick new US or Canada made run about $25/ft.

The 10" channel is tall enough imo but it would help to raise the cross frame a few inches. With my skids both have 8" tall skids and I have yet to see dirt go over the sides. I would think it is more important to make smooth rolled edges at both ends as this will allow forward and reverse travel. I would suggest skids about 6' long overall length and 5' width for the grader blades.

 

[rswyan]

jenkinsph,

Thanks for the feedback.

I've been looking at pics of your builds (as well as reading various threads on other builds) and that was largely why I figured I could get away with 10" tall sides.

If you want to be able to use reversible 6" wide grader blades with the holes centered along its length then you should use a 4" angle for mounting. The 4" dimension has enough room to mount and bolt down with enough clearance.

Great point.

Have to see what I can come up as far as blades go, but I'm guessing that being reversible, all blades would have the holes centered.

Pretty much plan to make the cutting edges flush with the bottom of the side plates at this point (largely based on your reports)

FYI, new grader blades 6" x5/8" thick new US or Canada made run about $25/ft.

Good info ... but definitely not in my budget.

The 10" channel is tall enough imo but it would help to raise the cross frame a few inches. With my skids both have 8" tall skids and I have yet to see dirt go over the sides.

Right ... noted your comments re trash getting caught up.

Plan to put the cross frame on top of the side plates to avoid any obstructions.

I would think it is more important to make smooth rolled edges at both ends as this will allow forward and reverse travel.

I will likely trim both ends at an angle, using a large radius at the bottom ...

Something less than 45 degrees, with maybe a 2 1/2" or 3" radius at the bottom ... so there's no abrupt change to hang up or dig in.

Then use some bar stock (3/8" x 3" ?) bent to conform and welded in place to replace the missing flanges.

I would suggest skids about 6' long overall length and 5' width for the grader blades.

With the trimming of the ends I could probably get to 6' overall length at the ground (7' overall at the top)

And getting to 5' width is easy enough, if I go with 4" angle (3/8" thick ?) ... I'll just cut it to the correct width/length.

I'm guessing that your recommendation on these dimensions is based on your experience with two different-sized LPGS, on two different-sized tractors ... and what you think my tractor, based on it's specs, would be capable of sucessfully pulling ?

 

[tractorworks]

I use a 6' grade master behind a B2910 with good luck. I have a 5' boxblade also and sometimes it's handier to use but really appreciate the 6' width on LPGS. Mine is more like 4 feet long on the ground. I can pull about the same amount of dirt with either. Maybe a little more with LPGS.

 

[rswyan]

tractorworks,

That's good to know :thumbsup:

I'd prefer to go wide and long ... but I realize I can't have it all ... :laughing:

 

[rswyan]

Executive decision:

6' wide x 4' overall, with 3' in length on the ground.

That will allow me to use the two 3' drops from the side plates for the tailgate and its stop.

 

[ovrszd]

Keep in mind the length is what gives the tool the ability to plane.

 

[Rustyiron]

I would make the c/e adjustable, even if you had to do it with a series of holes and r&r some bolts. Not being able to do any "cutting" would be just silly unless you never expect to do anything but dragging around whatever loose material was on the surface. I guess I should have asked what you want to do with it.
I think your 10" chan. sounds good and as you said, the longer the better but you have to consider the weight waaaay out behing you! Charge up your camera:thumbsup:

 

[ovrszd]

Also, since the LPGS is wider than the tractor the sides can extend forward to keep the weight closer to the tractor to help in lifting it.

 

[bcp]

Not all grader blades have the holes centered. I have a pair like the smaller one in this photo. Double-edged but off-center holes.



Bruce

 

[ovrszd]

All cutting edges built to use on a commercial road grader are non reversible. Holes are offset.

That's why I suggest securing the edges before building so you use the right material that can be drilled in the right place.

 

[rswyan]

Keep in mind the length is what gives the tool the ability to plane.

Yeah ... rethinking this:

Executive decision:

6' wide x 4' overall, with 3' in length on the ground. ...

I'll keep the 4' length on the ground, and rather than cutting the side plates to achieve the upward angles at front and rear, I'll use some bar stock to form the runners and then plate them in ... less useless waste that way.

 

[rswyan]

I would make the c/e adjustable, even if you had to do it with a series of holes and r&r some bolts. Not being able to do any "cutting" would be just silly unless you never expect to do anything but dragging around whatever loose material was on the surface. I guess I should have asked what you want to do with it.

As long as there is some portion of the ground above (and within) the plane formed by the four corner points of the skids/runners, it will always be capable of "cutting" ... even if the blades are mounted flush.

Of course, that ultimately might not be as aggressive as I'd want it ... so it just might be a good idea to make the blades adjustable ...

Just have to figure out how I want to do it.

I think your 10" chan. sounds good and as you said, the longer the better but you have to consider the weight waaaay out behing you!

Yup ...

Took out the digital calipers while I was up there and checked it ... looks like it's only C10 x 15.3 so that's not quite as bad ... but using 6' of channel and cutting edge as the tailgate will add some weight to the rear ... along with the stop for the tailgate itself.

Charge up your camera:thumbsup:

Actually had it on the charger in the shop while I was up there ... if I had remembered to bring the cord back down with me I'd be posting pictures right now.

Doh ! ... just remembered I can email it to myself from the phone and then collect it on the desktop ... so here ya go ... :