Priefert Land Plane?

[Jaybr]

I was planning on waiting until Spring to work on the driveway at the new place, but with the construction trucks in and out every day and our recent snow, it's getting in terrible shape. There are some ruts in it now deep enough that a car would high center. I drive a pickup, and the wife a Landcruiser, but we also have a BMW X5 that I don't want to bring to the new place yet because of the driveway.

I had (and could get back) a 6' Grademaster utitily version that I used with the Kioti to maintain the gravel driveway at a previous place, but it's pretty light. With the new Yanmar I figure I can step up to a 7' or 8' heavy duty model and the extra weight will help a lot. My local dealer carries Dirt Dog, but only has a 7' medium duty in stock. He can order the HD model but it will be 4-6 weeks to get it. He also has an 8' Priefert in stock and I emailed them for specs and it weights the same as the HD Dirt Dog. I'm guessing the Priefert is a leftover and they carried them before they started with Dirt Dog, so the price is really good on the Priefert. The only real difference I see is that the Dirt Dog has scarifiers My Grademaster doesn't have scarifiers and I got the job done without them, do they make a huge difference? Is there any reason to go with a smaller LP or will the YT359 handle an 8' with no issues?

I'd never heard of Priefert until today, and I did search here and saw a few post recommending their LP. Any experience with it, or the company in general?

There are plenty of other dealers around and I'm not set on just buying from this one, but their closest and good to work with. I could probably find another brand if there is one you think is better.

 

[jyoutz]

I was planning on waiting until Spring to work on the driveway at the new place, but with the construction trucks in and out every day and our recent snow, it's getting in terrible shape. There are some ruts in it now deep enough that a car would high center. I drive a pickup, and the wife a Landcruiser, but we also have a BMW X5 that I don't want to bring to the new place yet because of the driveway.

I had (and could get back) a 6' Grademaster utitily version that I used with the Kioti to maintain the gravel driveway at a previous place, but it's pretty light. With the new Yanmar I figure I can step up to a 7' or 8' heavy duty model and the extra weight will help a lot. My local dealer carries Dirt Dog, but only has a 7' medium duty in stock. He can order the HD model but it will be 4-6 weeks to get it. He also has an 8' Priefert in stock and I emailed them for specs and it weights the same as the HD Dirt Dog. I'm guessing the Priefert is a leftover and they carried them before they started with Dirt Dog, so the price is really good on the Priefert. The only real difference I see is that the Dirt Dog has scarifiers My Grademaster doesn't have scarifiers and I got the job done without them, do they make a huge difference? Is there any reason to go with a smaller LP or will the YT359 handle an 8' with no issues?

I'd never heard of Priefert until today, and I did search here and saw a few post recommending their LP. Any experience with it, or the company in general?

There are plenty of other dealers around and I'm not set on just buying from this one, but their closest and good to work with. I could probably find another brand if there is one you think is better.

We have some Priefert horse feeders and corral panels. They are heavy built and above average in quality. I had no idea that they made implements. A land plane is pretty basic. Take a look at the materials and construction and buy it if you think it’s well made. It’s not like replacement parts are needed for land planes.

 

[Jaybr]

Thanks, that’s kind of what I’m thinking as well. It doesn’t have scarifiers and the blade depth doesn’t look adjustable, but are those thing worth an extra $800-$1000?

 

[jyoutz]

Thanks, that’s kind of what I’m thinking as well. It doesn’t have scarifiers and the blade depth doesn’t look adjustable, but are those thing worth an extra $800-$1000?

I think those functions are really a factor of your intended use and road conditions.

 

[oosik]

I have an seven foot Land Pride LPGS. 820 pounds and it DOES have scarifiers. My mile long gravel driveway turns to concrete after the spring rains. The weight and scarifiers are needed in places - to break up the "driveway crust". The crust is - silt, sand, gravel and volcanic ash. The ash from Mt St Helens - 1980 - still blows around with every breeze in this country.

If your are concerned about being able to pull this lpgs - check to see that the blades and carriers are adjustable. Mine are. I have mine set at one and a half inches below the side boards. The range of adjustment on mine - 0" to 2" below the side boards.

 

[oosik]

I have seen skids under the side boards that will allow for depth of cut adjustment. The unit you are considering might have those.

The Land Pride has full length, replaceable skids. They are not adjustable.

 

[Jaybr]

Thanks for the feedback. I stopped by the dealer and picked up the Priefert. It was sitting next to a 7’ Dirt Dog so I got to compare the build. The DD is heavier built up front, 3 point tabs, top link frame, etc. the Priefert is heavier down low, for instance the cross bars where the blades attach are nearly twice as thick. The big difference is the Priefert is nearly twice as long and the blades have more angle to them. I expect the extra length will give a smoother finish.

 

[jyoutz]

Thanks for the feedback. I stopped by the dealer and picked up the Priefert. It was sitting next to a 7’ Dirt Dog so I got to compare the build. The DD is heavier built up front, 3 point tabs, top link frame, etc. the Priefert is heavier down low, for instance the cross bars where the blades attach are nearly twice as thick. The big difference is the Priefert is nearly twice as long and the blades have more angle to them. I expect the extra length will give a smoother finish.

It will no doubt do a great job. If you do have any potholes that need scarified, you can always run a box blade over that and fix it before the land plane. The land plane should serve well for periodic smoothing.

 

[bcp]

Years ago i was looking at land planes. The Priefert was about as long as it was wide. The others were about half as long as they were wide. No one had, in stock, one small enough for a BX.

Bruce

 

[oosik]

Jaybr -- you are correct. The added length of the side boards will help in the overall smoothing operation.

The pic in post #9 - directly above - shows a LPGS doing a really fine job. Thank you - BCP. You can't ask for more than you see in that picture.