Utility grader / scraper: Revision to make it also a box blade

beppington · Apr 4, 2011

Just an idea:

How about a revision to the utility grader (land plane; road grader; road scraper; whatever they're called) to convert it to a combination utility grader & box blade. Add a flap / blade on the rear that can either be put up where it would lay on top of the grader's frame & the implement works as a grader, or down when you want to use it as a box blade. The flap / blade would be hinged, & you'd pin in it place in its down position for use as a box blade.

Gordon Gould · Apr 4, 2011

Thats what I did on mine. Not totally my idea though - I stole some of it from someone else along the way here on TBN. I have a pin one each side for tail gate stops. They are hard to see. If I put the tail gate inside it works like a box blade going forward and holds material in the box. If I swing the tail gate over the top and let it hang on the outside ( like in the picture ) it acts as a drag going forward or like a blade going in reverse so I can push stuff by backing up. If I get a pile of sod I just back into it to get it off the road.

beppington · Apr 4, 2011

Yeah, there we go!

MtnViewRanch · Apr 4, 2011

I think that the rear flap like Gordon's is a great idea. I believe that there is at least one manufacturer that does have this as an option. One of the TBN members has one on order as we type. I am curious if it is going to be a gate as Gordon's is or if it might have a cutting edge on it.

Hopefully we will find out in a week or two.

sandman2234 · Apr 4, 2011

I thought about adding a back to my grader, but decided that my poor 70hp JD didn't need any more weight to tote around. Durn thing is heavy!! Besides, it really does carry a lot of dirt as it is, as long as your not trying to transport it, just move it a little way.
David from jax

jenkinsph · Apr 4, 2011

I have been sitting on a piece of 5/8" flatbar to use for this purpose but haven't really decided whether it will work for my uses yet.

A consideration is that when using my plane I prefer to have a good view of the ends of the skids to adjust them up and down. Having a load of dirt back there might be detrimental for this.

If I do add it to mine it will be a flip over type similar to Gordons and should have pins to keep it in the up position too.

Gordon Gould · Apr 5, 2011

When I first did mine I was considering putting pins on top to hold it open and also a method of locking it in the down position. I decided to try it first then decide what I needed for improvements. So far ( one season ) for my use I like it as is. Althought neither of those things would be a detriment.
I use the box blade mode ( gate in front of the pins ) for initial spreading of new surface material or if I am working a place with rocks that are being turned up that I want to collect and get rid of. Need to set the top link just right to do this w/o getting to much dirt. Really need a hydraulic TL.
The addition of a blade or blades on the gate, as Brian suggested, would add versatility for sure.

beppington · Apr 29, 2011

Gordon Gould said:
Thats what I did on mine. Not totally my idea though - I stole some of it from someone else along the way here on TBN. I have a pin one each side for tail gate stops. They are hard to see. If I put the tail gate inside it works like a box blade going forward and holds material in the box. If I swing the tail gate over the top and let it hang on the outside ( like in the picture ) it acts as a drag going forward or like a blade going in reverse so I can push stuff by backing up. If I get a pile of sod I just back into it to get it off the road.

Be careful, Gordon ... I broke my 3PH. Read about it here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/204404-ok-push-trees-over-box.html

When I started this modified grading scraper thread, I fully had in mind using it to push stuff backwards (as well as forward). You can bet I don't anymore.

Gordon Gould · Apr 30, 2011

beppington said:
Be careful, Gordon ... I broke my 3PH. Read about it here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/204404-ok-push-trees-over-box.html

When I started this modified grading scraper thread, I fully had in mind using it to push stuff backwards (as well as forward). You can bet I don't anymore.

I saw your thread when you posted it - ouch

Thanks for the warning.
You were pushing over trees. I don't think pushing small piles of loose stones and sod are a problem. The stop pin on my tailgate would give first but I am careful and keep the idea of bending things pushing backwards in my mind.