Rear Blade What size to get?

[dustinfox]

I want to get a scraper to grade my 12' wide driveway. Having never done this before (in fact I haven't even picked up my first tractor yet) I'm trying to visualize the optimal size. Since 72" is exactly half, that sounds like the logical choice. But would it be better to go smaller and leave some working room? Or go wider and scrape more with each pass. I'm inclined to think that exactly half or a foot shorter than half would work best.

Advice?

 

[cmhyland]

I want to get a scraper to grade my 12' wide driveway. Having never done this before (in fact I haven't even picked up my first tractor yet) I'm trying to visualize the optimal size. Since 72" is exactly half, that sounds like the logical choice. But would it be better to go smaller and leave some working room? Or go wider and scrape more with each pass. I'm inclined to think that exactly half or a foot shorter than half would work best.

Advice?

How long is the driveway? If it's long, then you may be better off with a grader.. I do several driveways in the 700 to 800 feet with a Landscape Rake.... take a look at this grader...

Manual Adjustment - YouTube

One more...

http://youtu.be/pk12cLLkVTQ

Regards,
Chris

 

[LD1]

The size/width of the driveway is irrelivant. It is the size of the tractor that matters.

I could easially suggest a 12' grader and do it in one pass, but I dont think that is going to work if you have a 23HP subcompact

So for starters, what size is your tractor????

And I agree with the previous poster that a grader is probabally the best tool for the job. But it is kinda job specific. A scrape blade can be used for much more.

IF you have a large enough tractor, I would go with a 7 or 8' blade, because that will still allow you to do it in 2 passes with the blade angled a bit.

IF a grader, 6' should work, again, provided you have sufficent tractor.

 

[dustinfox]

The size/width of the driveway is irrelivant. It is the size of the tractor that matters.

I could easially suggest a 12' grader and do it in one pass, but I dont think that is going to work if you have a 23HP subcompact

So for starters, what size is your tractor????

And I agree with the previous poster that a grader is probabally the best tool for the job. But it is kinda job specific. A scrape blade can be used for much more.

IF you have a large enough tractor, I would go with a 7 or 8' blade, because that will still allow you to do it in 2 passes with the blade angled a bit.

IF a grader, 6' should work, again, provided you have sufficent tractor.

Thanks! Sorry I guess I should have clarified... Yes I am a newbie but I do understand that the equipment cannot exceed the tractors ability. That being a "given," it sounds like the wider blade would work better. Because...I didn't even think about the blade angle!! Great point! A 6 foot blade would not scrape 6 feet when it is angled!

But now I really do have to show my extreme "newbie-ness." I thought a scraper blade WAS a grader. Is there a difference? Are you referring to a box blade? Or perhaps one of those scrapers with the skids on each side?

Oh... Nevermind. I just saw cmhylands video above.

 

[dustinfox]

How long is the driveway? If it's long, then you may be better off with a grader.. I do several driveways in the 700 to 800 feet with a Landscape Rake.... take a look at this grader...

Manual Adjustment - YouTube

One more...

Land Leveler - Tractor 3 pt. Hitch - YouTube

Regards,
Chris

Thanks for those links. My driveway is 400' long. I've seen those graders and they look nice, but I'm afraid they are way to pricey for me.

 

[cmhyland]

Thanks for those links. My driveway is 400' long. I've seen those graders and they look nice, but I'm afraid they are way to pricey for me.

Dustin,

Don't miss the savings in purchasing used attachments that are in good condition...
How rough is the driveway? Like I said do several long drives that are up to 800 ft long and I do them with a landscape rake. Don't underestimate the amount of material you can move with a rake... A good rake is very heavy and will cut hard packed gravel.

Also a box blade can do a pretty good job.

Spread gravel with Box Scraper - YouTube

Here is a rake but the operator doesn't have guage wheels and they are a "Must Have".

http://youtu.be/16b9nUz5LVs

Regards,
Chris

 

[LD1]

(Temporarily blocked due to reports of company closure) also sells those grader blades.

They are a forum sponser here as well:thumbsup:

They are about double the cost ot a typical rear blade, but work MUCH better that what they are designed to do. And that is grading.

 

[dustinfox]

Dustin,

Don't miss the savings in purchasing used attachments that are in good condition...
How rough is the driveway? Like I said do several long drives that are up to 800 ft long and I do them with a landscape rake. Don't underestimate the amount of material you can move with a rake... A good rake is very heavy and will cut hard packed gravel.

Also a box blade can do a pretty good job.

Spread gravel with Box Scraper - YouTube

Here is a rake but the operator doesn't have guage wheels and they are a "Must Have".

Toby's new rake for his tractor 2.AVI - YouTube

Regards,
Chris

Good point... There isn't much that could go wrong with a used grader. A rake is probably not a good idea on my driveway. I have that "twin pack" stuff (not sure what you call it down there... the bluish colored stone with crushed stone powder in it). Construction guys around here tell me that using a rake will bring the stones to the surface and leave the powder on the bottom.

 

[dustinfox]

(Temporarily blocked due to reports of company closure) also sells those grader blades.

They are a forum sponser here as well:thumbsup:

They are about double the cost ot a typical rear blade, but work MUCH better that what they are designed to do. And that is grading.

Thanks I'll check them out!

 

[dustinfox]

I think a box blade might be a reasonable compromise pricewise. Is there a "rule of thumb" for sizing implemenmts to your tractor? Should I go by the loader bucket size? (i.e. bucket is 60" so box blade should be no more than that).