I have a driveway that is about 120 yards long. It currently is just dirt. I am trying to decide whether a Ratchetrake or a standard back blade would be best to maintain this, both are $299 at TSC. I am turning to the experienced for thoughts.
Ratchetrake question
- Thread starter Kgstokes
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Bob77064
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KPark
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120 yd driveway would imply other areas that would need maintenance. Both could be used for the driveway, but the blade can be angled to move material better and also to ditch the edges and crown the driveway.
creekbend
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mguitas
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I have both and they do different things to be honest. I use the RR more for cleaning out under trees, and knocking down high spots in my 1200' dirt road, and the blade to flatten the road surface. To be honest with you I think a Box Blade with scarifiers ( have one of those too) is probably more versatile if you are only getting one of the items and it is only going to be used for the road.
First off thanks for all the welcomes.
The property is about 3 acres, some of it is cleared
But also has both pine and oak trees. There are
Several areas that are in need of maintenance other than the 120 yard driveway.
I just have the finances for one attachment at this time and the drive has some big potholes.
The property is about 3 acres, some of it is cleared
But also has both pine and oak trees. There are
Several areas that are in need of maintenance other than the 120 yard driveway.
I just have the finances for one attachment at this time and the drive has some big potholes.
Carl_NH
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KG,
Welcome to TBN!
I have the RR and 3PT basic scraper blade and york rake. For our ground (rocky/dirt/roots) I thought the RR would be good to prep and clean up but with embedded rocks and such it tends to take too much soil and bounce off the rocks losing the debris in the tines. The landscape rake with flexing tines does a better job for my conditions.
The scraper blade does a good job with snow removal, and scraping/leveling and you reverse it a decent job at leveling/dragging. A standard/basic 3 PT scraper blade doesnt do much digging unless you have a tilting (topNtilt) and these are a lot more $ I beleive.
For the driveway I think the RR would do a decent job scarifying and then leveling and if you use the rear of the bucket for leveling or dragging this should do a decent job.
For the woods and other clean up using the RR it really depends on your soil composition - if a lot of rocks/ledge (our case) probably not so good, if mostly sandy/clay/loam and you need to remove underbrush and vines the RR will work well as other attest.
Welcome to TBN!
I have the RR and 3PT basic scraper blade and york rake. For our ground (rocky/dirt/roots) I thought the RR would be good to prep and clean up but with embedded rocks and such it tends to take too much soil and bounce off the rocks losing the debris in the tines. The landscape rake with flexing tines does a better job for my conditions.
The scraper blade does a good job with snow removal, and scraping/leveling and you reverse it a decent job at leveling/dragging. A standard/basic 3 PT scraper blade doesnt do much digging unless you have a tilting (topNtilt) and these are a lot more $ I beleive.
For the driveway I think the RR would do a decent job scarifying and then leveling and if you use the rear of the bucket for leveling or dragging this should do a decent job.
For the woods and other clean up using the RR it really depends on your soil composition - if a lot of rocks/ledge (our case) probably not so good, if mostly sandy/clay/loam and you need to remove underbrush and vines the RR will work well as other attest.
radioman
Super Member
I am not convinced if backblade would work if the soil is dry. you would have to do it at the right time in spring when its moist and soft, but not muddy. A rachet rake would be more versatile in dry/moist conditions and can be used for other cleanups projects.
If your goal is to fix your driveway and maintain it- a boxblade is more ideal and better off for you. you can move dirt like a backblade but spread evenly, use rippers as needed, and use your manual bolt tilt off your tractor to create a crown in driveway so you won't need to maintain as often.
I wonder if you really have gravel underneath as you been driving on it and grass and dirt could migrate over on top? in this case a boxblade again is ideal choice as the rippers can pull up some of that rock.
If your goal is to fix your driveway and maintain it- a boxblade is more ideal and better off for you. you can move dirt like a backblade but spread evenly, use rippers as needed, and use your manual bolt tilt off your tractor to create a crown in driveway so you won't need to maintain as often.
I wonder if you really have gravel underneath as you been driving on it and grass and dirt could migrate over on top? in this case a boxblade again is ideal choice as the rippers can pull up some of that rock.
