Run off ditch

Anonymous Poster · May 24, 2002

I need to dig a run off ditch through my property. It is to catch rain water coming down the hill and re-direct it to the pond. I have four options as ways to do this. I have a middle buster, a box blade, a scrape blade, and a bottom plow. Of these 4 , the middle buster is the easiest (to me anyway) , but I am concerned if it is the best? The ditch doesn't have to be deep, (5-8 inches or so) so I know the middle buster will work. But I "think" the scrape blade will work just as good if not better.

Any recommendations????

Thanks,

greg

Bird · May 24, 2002

How wide does the ditch need to be? Is it going to be a "swale"? Just speculatin', but I'd probably make a couple of passes with that middle buster to break up the ground, then use the box blade to remove and spread the dirt; i.e., clean up the ditch.

MDSteve · May 24, 2002

I did a similar project last week and I used my back blade. I tilted it as far as it would go and got a nice 6 inch trench. Once I finished I leveled the blade and put it at an angle to move the extra dirt farther away from the ditch.

rf33 · May 24, 2002

Greg,
I think that if you have a box blade, that would be the implement of choice for this project. If it has scarifiers, I think you might just be able to tilt your box blade to one side (by adjusting your side link), and make a nice gradual ditch by going over the ground a few times each way.

Anonymous Poster · May 24, 2002

Thanks. Not necessarily a "swale" (as I understand them anyway), but just to catch the water coming down the hill and move it towards the pond. Should only be an issue during really hard rains. Won't be a lot of "soil" as it is in a grassy pasture. I don't think it has to be very wide either. I like the idea of the scrape blade and I may try it.

Thanks for the ideas,

greg

rdln · May 24, 2002

bottom plow did it for me, I needed the exact same on my sledding/hunting/target backstop hill.

Harv · May 24, 2002

Greg -

My very first tractor project was to clean up some drainage ditches and install some culverts, and I naturally took pictures of the whole thing. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Where the ditch had disappeared altogether, I with rippers down and just scraped away. I then came back and cleaned up parts of it by <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.acknowledge.com/tractor/L2500DT/photos/DitchDigging.jpg>attacking from the side with my FEL.

Like I said, it was my first time doing anything useful with the tractor, but <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.acknowledge.com/tractor/L2500DT/photos/culvert1a.jpg>the final results</A> were just what I was going for.

gerard · May 24, 2002

I ditto what Bird said. The middle buster will loosen everything up and make the spoils it easier to remove but if you have a scraper blade that tilts and angles you can use that to drive straight and windrow the excavated dirt without worrying about dumping the spoils (as you have to do periodically when using a boxblade.)

Anonymous Poster · May 24, 2002

You already have heard some good ideas. Here is an idea onlyyou can decide if it is good or not. If you own a heavy rear blade that will angle and tilt you have it made. I would angle the right side of the blade forward one position. I would then tilt the right side one position down; if it is a Landpride or Bushhog. You can then with a little practice make a ditch in no time. You can then adjust the blade and slope the sides or do whatever you want. Just catch your ground in the proper moisture condition where it works the best.
Just a thought
Greg H

Buck · May 24, 2002

Harv,

This community would be nothin' without pictures.

At least for unimaginative folks like me.

Buck

cisco · May 25, 2002

A narrow ditch is fine, until the sides collapse or it needs cleaning. I had a similar problem, and constructed a 5' swale by digging a trench with the middle buster, and then dropping one set of wheels (one side of tractor) into the trench, putting my tractor in FWD, locking the rear differential (straight trench), and carving out both sides of the swale (one side on first pass, turn tractor around, and then the other side). An angled box blade will certainly do the same thing, albeit with more passes. Not sure about the scrape blade - depends on how dense / heavy the soil is, rocks, etc. Anyhow, I planted grass in the swale, and can mow it easily. The aforementioned was not my idea - someone else on the forum - without which I'd probably mess up most projects I attempt.

frank_f15 · May 25, 2002

i think i would opt for the middle buster, then use the box blade or scrape blade to finish it. if u need to mow this area and u want a nice look, u can dig your ditch fill it with good drainage stone, then cover it with a few in. of dirt. it will move the water and give u a nice finish look.

JohnMiller3 · May 26, 2002

A little ditching... cheap implement... takes but a few minutes... (~425')

(see attachment)

JohnMiller3 · May 26, 2002

Now... what do you think I can use... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Let's try this again.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

JohnMiller3 · May 26, 2002

Now will the real ditching implement please stand up... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
(see attachment)

JohnMiller3 · May 26, 2002

You can also use this implement... but most don't normally "tilt" this much... /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif
(see attachment)

I can't find my other picture... but this actually goes a full 360... so pick a number... any number... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif