what size land plane for ford 860

[cbrake]

Hi, I have a Ford 860 and wondering what size land plane (befco grading scraper) I should get. My driveway is 9-10' wide. I'm thinking the 6' Befco model, but don't want to get something that will be too hard to pull or lift. Driveway is 1/2 mi long. Has 1 steep hill several 100' long, but rest is mostly gentle grades.

Just for reference, I have a 6' JD rotary mower that is fairly heavy. The 860 will lift it off the ground, but the front end gets very light. While it works (tractor has plenty of power to turn it), generally it seems to me the 6' rotary mower is a little too heavy for the tractor.

Thanks!

 

[Soundguy]

i've not used that type of blade, however in general, a 7' angle blade or 6' box blade is right for that tractor. the 3pt, in good health, can usually lift enough to make the front end come up, so adding a bumper to use as a weight bracket and / or front wheel weights can be usefull.

 

[Scrambler82]

I don't know the width of the Ford but in general I was told to get attachments the width of the tractor or slightly wider.

How wide is the 860 ?

 

[Soundguy]

Depends in how tires are set!

Angle blades need to be extra wide to cover track while angled

 

[94BULLITT]

Before I put a l andplane on that tractor I would put some ballast on the front of it so it will lift it safely. You probably want a 6' for your tractor. Once you make a pass or two over the driveway the material will become loose and you will not have real good traction. With a steep hill you might have a hard enough time getting up it with a 6'.

 

[Soundguy]

do those landplanes have lift wheels?

 

[kf4uda]

Assuming this is the landplane (or something simular) that you are talking about, I would go with a 6ft. It weighs about 700lbs whereas your rotary cutter will probably go around 1000-1200lbs at least. I run a 6ft rotary with my 861. If I am going uphill and the front end gets light with the cutter raised, I just drop the lift enough so the cutters tailwheel contacts the ground and takes some of the weight.

BEFCO - Products - Ground Engage Equipment - Grading Scrapers

 

[Ford850]

I'd go with the 6', and add a couple hundred pounds of weight to the front if needed. Once on the driveway you'll be mainly floating it so it will not be an issue except going up that steep part.

Edit: I should have asked... are your tires filled? I'm used to my 850 with filled tires and it is a beast. I think without filled tires you might lose traction at times with a full load.

 

[NHbotanut]

I have 5' land plane that I use on my B7610. I thought about getting the 6' but am glad that I didn't. The 5' covers my tires, but the tractor definitely works when it loads up with gravel. I usually end up filling my bucket with all the larger stones for extra ballast & pulling power in 4WD.

 

[cbrake]

I don't know the width of the Ford but in general I was told to get attachments the width of the tractor or slightly wider.

How wide is the 860 ?

With my current wheel configuration, the outside of the back wheels is 5' - 9"