What would you build out of this?

[BobReeves]

Went to a tractor swapmeet yesterday, bought an old plow for the yard and the guy said I could have this blade if I would haul it away. It now sits in front of my shop.

My understanding is it's the front blade off a Ditch Witch type machine used for back filling the trench. It has one hydraulic cylinder but who knows if it can be saved or not, hoses were cut off and left open. It has the hardware for what looks like 3 way movement, even the blade can be tilted. Forgot to say, it's about a 7 foot blade.

So what would you build if you had this thing?

 

[GuglioLS]

If I were you I would send that thing to me so I could make a snow plow for my FEL.

Nice freebe.

 

[JJT]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If I were you I would send that thing to me so I could make a snow plow for my FEL.

Nice freebe. )</font>

If you were him, you'd already have the blade... Sorry couldn't resist. If it were mine, I'd also be turning it into a snow blade. Having lived in OK for a couple of years, I don't think it's going to see much use as a snow plow.

 

[RonR]

Hey you can send it to me--I'm closer so it will cost less...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

On the cylinder, I would either NOT use it or be sure to flush it very well. Maybe even take it apart. I will go to great extremes to NOT contaminate my Bota's hydraulic fluid.......

And yes, I'd make a front blade out of it for snow or loose dirt.

Have fun!

Ron

 

[beenthere]

Because of its low height, and if I still had my gravel drive, I would build a grader belly blade to go under the tractor. For leveling and grading gravel, it would be ideal mounted midships. As well, with the angling and tilt rams, much the better. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[BobReeves]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Because of its low height, and if I still had my gravel drive, I would build a grader belly blade to go under the tractor. For leveling and grading gravel, it would be ideal mounted midships. As well, with the angling and tilt rams, much the better. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )</font>

I like it.. Sure going to have to think about this one, would be pretty neat to turn my tractor into a grader.

 

[beenthere]

There is a good place to get hyd cylinders, called Surplus Center

(if you might be looking for a ram replacement)

 

[3RRL]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( So what would you build if you had this thing? )</font>
All great ideas, especiall the midship gravel blade. .. Have you thought about mounting it as a hydraulic spoiler for the tractor? LOL..

Seriously though...hydraulic cylinder rebuild kits are inexpensive. You can get them from Miller directly or an industrial supply store that carries hydraulic stuff. Take the cylinder apart to see what shape the piston and bore are in. If they are clean then just changing the seals and "O" rings maybe all you need to do.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

("So what would you build if you had this thing?")

I'd build a tractor around it. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Tell the wife the Ford 3000 is not made for this type blade! It requires a new NH, JD, MF, Bota...etc. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(Ford 3000 is a great tractor...but never overlook an excuse or opportunity to get another)

 

[OldMcDonald]

I had one just like it when I lived in Australia, but already attached to the front of a very ancient International - cannot remember the model, but small and a petrol/paraffin job. It had a lot of work.

As to what to do with it - it all depends on the ground you have. The angle and tilt are fantastic for alll sorts of grading and levelling as well as making small irrigation channels, ditches with a few passes; marking a line for tree planting; throwing up a diversion for erosion control or to stop run-off in heavy rainfall times; even making a furrow for potato planting, and then backfilling with a ridge over the top. Mine also had a knock on/knock off piece underneath with teeth and it was used as a root rake, ie after pushing down scrub with it, or small trees, put the rake on, go over the ground with the teeth just penetrating the ground, and it will rake out all the roots - again the angle lets you move them all over into a windrow for easy picking up, or burning. Old McDonald.