Previous thread on grading with blade backwards

[connor77]

Could someone point me to the thread that outlined how certain people use their blades to grade or re-grade?

I'm considering re-grading a fairly sizeable area and I remember reading a post from someone where they turned their blade around and moved their machine in reverse (if memory serves). It sounded like operating the machine this way would avoid the whoop-de-do effect which is exactly what I'm trying to eliminate with my current lawn. I initially (long time ago) poop'd a bunch of piles of loam around the yard with a skid steer and because of a lack of skill never quite got the results I wanted.

The goal is to get a properly graded area to put seed down and have the best looking lawn in the neighborhood....

 

[NSBound]

I used the "Search" function at the top of this page to enter "box blade backwards" and found this - maybe what you're looking for???

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/150696-aggressiveness-boxblade.html

 

[connor77]

This was definitely one of the threads I was interested in and thanks for reminding me to look a little more thoroughly...

 

[ChuckinNH]

Another tactic that may help with the whoop te do's is to angle the blade as much as possible for the first few passes. That effectively keeps the blade on more of the high spots because you dramatically increase the length of the blade front to rear.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

If the ground that you are grading is soft, then try running the tractor backwards as you were thinking, but do not turn the blade. Leave the blade in the forward cutting direction and angle the blade somewhat, about 20-30 degrees. This works very well for me.

 

[connor77]

Thanks for the help guys. This is a great site. People very much wanting to share their knowledge and newbies like me that really enjoy reading and learning...

 

[Steve C]

Could someone point me to the thread that outlined how certain people use their blades to grade or re-grade?

I'm considering re-grading a fairly sizeable area and I remember reading a post from someone where they turned their blade around and moved their machine in reverse (if memory serves). It sounded like operating the machine this way would avoid the whoop-de-do effect which is exactly what I'm trying to eliminate with my current lawn. I initially (long time ago) poop'd a bunch of piles of loam around the yard with a skid steer and because of a lack of skill never quite got the results I wanted.

The goal is to get a properly graded area to put seed down and have the best looking lawn in the neighborhood....

I just got it figured out with my 5 foot box blade today, I got great results with virtuall no skill involved. You can find the method and pictures of results at this site.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ar-blade-box-blade-project-2.html#post1757873

I had messed up the area a couple weeks ago before I learned how to use my new box blade. I got pool table smooth results whith this method.

 

[dodge man]

I could never get the hang of using my blade to grade dirt, forwards or backwards. I finally gave up and do a much better job of back draging with the FEL. I do have better luck using the blade to grade harder surfaces, like a gravel driveway.

 

[MarkV]

I haven't read the threads that were linked so it may have been mentioned there. If you use your blade in reverse to push do so with caution. The 3pt hitch is designed to pull and several on the forum have bent or broke the lift arms by using them to push. That is not to say it is not effective when caution is used.

I have found it most effective when grading what you describe to start slow with the blade set high using the position control to adjust the cut for the high spots only. After a couple of passes of knocking down the high spots you will get much better results.

MarkV

 

[connor77]

Steve C - looks like you started with a pretty flat area to begin with from the pics you uploaded. Is this correct? My problem is if I have 30 CY of loam delivered and then try to move it I won't have the luxury of only moving this over an already flat surface. Maybe I'm wrong. I have visions of moving this dirt and creating a bigger mess of whoop-de-doos because of how un-flat the area is now. There were a couple of suggestions provided that I think would help with this - just not sure how successful I'll be.

MarkV - thanks. Read that thread where it's not a good idea putting too much load on moving backwards. Makes complete sense and if it does indeed help (moving backwards that is) I'll take it super slow and not overdo it.