Forest_Man
Bronze Member
Would this be an adequate rear blade? I see it has some adjustment.
I can't visualize this, yet.
Clear. I will study the cut sheets for the two blades and better understand what you mean.
Thank you again.
Thank you again.
Forest_Man
Bronze Member
Amazing. Just to clarify, bigger excavator is better for this task than smaller? I thought smaller would be enough to create this drainage.
Just beautiful! Wow!
Did you do it for yourself or are you a contractor/professional? This looks like commercial work.
If you did it for yourself, how many hours of experience to get to this level of quality?
LouNY
Super Star Member
- Joined
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- 10,848
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- Greenwich, NY
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- Branson 8050, IH 574, Oliver 1550 Diesel Utility (traded in on Branson) NH 8160. Kioti CK2620SECH
For the ditch "swale" I use mostly two methods.
The fastest is with my back blade it is an old heavy one with tilt, angle and offset. To ditch with it I will tilt it to it's maximum tilt, then angle it forward on the low point and offset it as necessary. This way when I lower the blade the front corner of the blade is digging in and the dirt and rocks are rolling up the blade and off onto the edge of the ditch. Then I can leave the angle as it was and remove the tilt or most of it and roll that dirt over to the driveway and come back and get it with the bucket. I can get 10-12" deep ditch 12-16" wide with that method fairly quickly.
The second method is a bit clumsier but if I have the room to get my tractor sideways in the driveway I'll use the loader bucket and scoop out a narrow ditch of decent depth.
A deeper 10-12" ditch will help to keep the driveway surface and base much drier and solid. I try and keep mine as narrow as will work well.
The fastest is with my back blade it is an old heavy one with tilt, angle and offset. To ditch with it I will tilt it to it's maximum tilt, then angle it forward on the low point and offset it as necessary. This way when I lower the blade the front corner of the blade is digging in and the dirt and rocks are rolling up the blade and off onto the edge of the ditch. Then I can leave the angle as it was and remove the tilt or most of it and roll that dirt over to the driveway and come back and get it with the bucket. I can get 10-12" deep ditch 12-16" wide with that method fairly quickly.
The second method is a bit clumsier but if I have the room to get my tractor sideways in the driveway I'll use the loader bucket and scoop out a narrow ditch of decent depth.
A deeper 10-12" ditch will help to keep the driveway surface and base much drier and solid. I try and keep mine as narrow as will work well.
paulsharvey
Elite Member
The blade you linked does not appear to tilt, only pivot in the horizontal plane; you want to be able to lower a corner. You Can still get some tilt with your link arms; but it may or may not be enough to cut the swale/ditch.
paulsharvey
Elite Member
I know this isn't what you are using, but you are looking for a rear blade that can do the same job, it's a short, boring video, and the control part is of no interest, but he explains how your cutting and moving the material
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paulsharvey
Elite Member
paulsharvey
Elite Member
"Amazing. Just to clarify, bigger excavator is better for this task than smaller? I thought smaller would be enough to create this drainage."
A JD-35 will be better than a JD-27; a JD-50 better than a 35; upto maybe the point of a PC-85 max. If we start talking about 120 machines; we are no longer in the right class. I think something starting at a John Deere JD-27 upto a JD-50 (Cat 303 to 305) is probably the sweat spot for the task. A wider ditching bucket will be good, something like 24" smooth bucket; might get away with a 30" on a JD-50, or might have to make an 18" work on a JD-27. Stuff in the 1,400-2000# machine, that's really foe electricians, plumbers, irrigation guys.
A JD-35 will be better than a JD-27; a JD-50 better than a 35; upto maybe the point of a PC-85 max. If we start talking about 120 machines; we are no longer in the right class. I think something starting at a John Deere JD-27 upto a JD-50 (Cat 303 to 305) is probably the sweat spot for the task. A wider ditching bucket will be good, something like 24" smooth bucket; might get away with a 30" on a JD-50, or might have to make an 18" work on a JD-27. Stuff in the 1,400-2000# machine, that's really foe electricians, plumbers, irrigation guys.
Code54
Elite Member
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- Putnam Co. West Virginia
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- Kubota MX5100, Kubota BX25D,1957 Farmall Cub Lo-Boy Kubota KX91-3, BCS 853
Thanks. I just have a mini ex (Kubota KX91 - roughly 7500lbs) machine for home use. I had under 20 hrs on it when I did my first ditching job - they all looked the same but with a lot more hrs on the machine I have gotten a lot faster/smoother. That was done with a 36" smooth bottom bucket. We have a shared private road and I mostly take care of all ditching and road maintenance so I do get plenty of practice on ditching and tree removals. lol
With some time in the machine, you will quickly see it is really easy and a "large" machine is not needed for simple ditching. The problem with larger machines is they do not have room to move to keep things leveled and smooth while doing your ditch. Also, the blade on a mini is not just for pushing dirt, it is great for changing the pitch of the machine/bucket for doing some slope work. If you take your time I think you will be surprised at the results you are able to achieve. Plus always feel free to ask questions, several of us have machines and will be glad to try and help in any way we can.
oosik
Super Star Member
Hey - TuckR. What part of Spokane do you live in. I'm 10 miles SW of Cheney or 25 miles SW of Spokane.
I reread your first post. I haven't had to plow my mile long gravel driveway in over five years. I get six inches - there is hope. Wake up the next day - there may be three inches remaining. Many times it's all gone because the snow turned to rain before the storm passed.
I'm sure as heck not going to waste fuel on three inches. I have a standing rule. Six inches and still snowing. I just might find time to break out the Eddie Bauer down gear.
Been out here 43 years. The last decade has seen some of the weirdest weather in all this time.
I reread your first post. I haven't had to plow my mile long gravel driveway in over five years. I get six inches - there is hope. Wake up the next day - there may be three inches remaining. Many times it's all gone because the snow turned to rain before the storm passed.
I'm sure as heck not going to waste fuel on three inches. I have a standing rule. Six inches and still snowing. I just might find time to break out the Eddie Bauer down gear.
Been out here 43 years. The last decade has seen some of the weirdest weather in all this time.