Top n tilt options and reccomendations....

[RadarTech]

I saw this on another thread and I have to ask what is a top n tilt? It was mentioned that it would be a better solution for changing the tilt on a box blade.... I am really doing alot of jumping off and on my tractor to change this now, so if this thing is not too $$. I think it would be purchased quickly.

for a little background:
The driveway at our new house is about a 1/4 mile with 4 different grade changes, up then down, 2 right hand curves and 1 left hand curve. So far we have put down 12 loads of gravel, railroad ballast and crush and run.
And I have one of those "wonderful" wet spots... so far it get muddy no matter what we have done.

I am about to get a load of railroad ballast to put there with another load of crush and run to cover it.

As a newbie, I just bought a new Kubota L3400, FEL, with a generic 5ft BB and right now I have just hit the 9 hour mark. (I just got it Friday)

Ideas? Be kind, this is my first tractor.....

Thanks,
J

 

[RFB]

Scrape and reserve any salvageable rock from that muddy area that you can reclaim.

Cut a small drainage trench down-grade and leading away from that area.

On the road surface, lay down a section of geotextile fabric (specifically designed for roadbuilding applications; it segregates fines, organics and soil from the applied rock and reduces hydraulic pumping, comes in 12 foot wide rolls) then reapply your aggregate. Try for at least 6 inches on top of the fabric.


top n tilt Tractor Hydraulic toplink, Top-N-Tilt, Side link

 

[RadarTech]

RFB,
Thanks- I have never heard of the fabric before..
Where can I find it?

When I was down on the property yesterday and this afternoon, the mud was so deep I bottomed out the tractor. A week ago the concrete trucks left these nice fat ruts, and my tractor was a week late arriving.

I thought the best thing to do was dump dry dirt in there, let is soak up the water and then scrape/dig it all out. You should see the piles of semi-mud muck!

It seems to have helped, after about 4 hours of work I am now down to a semi-firm clay surface. The area is about 10 feet wide and 30-35 feet long.
I have a culvert just below this area. It is a mountain road with a drop off on one side and a dirt hill on the other. I widened the road a little so that it should drain to the culvert now.

I will try and get some pictures tomorrow..

Thanks,
J

 

[john_bud]

To have the dealer install a Kubota Top and tilt kit is spendy. On the order of $1500-2000.

2 or 3 spool valve
2 cylinders
hoses
quick connects
lock valves


not cheap

jb

 

[RFB]

Some resources:

A Landowner's Guide to Building Forest Access Roads - Geotextiles

US Fabrics - Woven Stabilization Geotextiles and Driveway Fabric

 

[Tom_H]

What you've done, excavating the gunk, sounds like a good start. I agree with what RFB said about putting in drain material. You might fill the excavated area with the railroad material, or what's called pit run, with smaller angular gravel on top. I'd also compact it well so that the angular joints will interlock.

I think the top 'n tilt is worth the cost, especially with what you already have invested in the tractor. It's like buying a car but leaving the tires off.

The box blade will be your best tool (especially with the t 'n t), but you may also want to consider a rear or front blade as well.

 

[RadarTech]

Thanks guys..
I got the road straight.
and one of the subcontractors had 22 tons of crush and run delivered to the top so that tri-axle really packed down the area.

right now the whole road is looking good..
I will try to get some pictures wednesday and post them.

 

[dcyrilc]

Thanks guys..
I got the road straight.
and one of the subcontractors had 22 tons of crush and run delivered to the top so that tri-axle really packed down the area.

right now the whole road is looking good..
I will try to get some pictures wednesday and post them.

Hey RadarTech,

Taking a little long to post those pictures isn't it?

 

[RadarTech]

boy am I busted....

it has been a rough few months since then.....




let me see how light it is when I leave in the AM....



J

 

[RadarTech]

Hey RadarTech,

Taking a little long to post those pictures isn't it?

I had so forgotten about this thread!!!


there driveway has had another 60+ tons added since I last replied in 08...
2 hard winters, 2 very wet springs... and so much washing....

I'll try to get some pics soon...



J