Would a tooth bar do this..

[Gittyup]

I think you'll be a long time getting that task done with a tooth bar, unless the soil is really soft and boulder free. You also can easily damage your loader if you over do it. Remember your FEL is a LOADER, NOT a bulldozer, NOT a digger.

Not to say I don't like my toothbar. It's very handy. But, I've tried using it as you plan to. It's not the best, at least not on my 4500 lb tractor. Unless really loamy soft, the toothbar mostlly just scratches at the surface.

Have you looked into some of those bucket rake-like attachments? Such a tool might work better than a toothbar. Once upon a time they were being sold through TBN classifieds. A little cheaper than a toothbar, as I recall. I was fascinated by the spector of using one with a bolt-on grapple.

Boxblade is the best choice. There are many used ones for sale, which would let you buy in at about the cost of a toothbar.

I'd also consider breaking it up with a cultivator or disc, pulling straight down the hill (if you can). Once it's broken up, the front edge of your bucket can easily drag it to the low spots. Small, used cultivators can be had for $100 or so.

 

[MarkV]

I've had good luck pointing the FEL toothbar straight down, so it's like a scarifier, or a 6-tine rake. Put the teeth two to three inches below the top of the high points. Then I follow up with a real rake on the three-point hitch, maybe one inch lower. Takes a few passes. (Gerard is right about the rocks, though.)

Joe be careful with the system you describe. With the bucket in a dump position and the teeth engaging the ground you are putting more pressure on the the extended hydraulic cylinders than they are designed for. If you do some searching on the forum there are a number of stories where people have bent their cylinder rods doing just that.

MarkV

 

[MESSMAKER]

A box blade with scarifiers will do more than a tooth bar and loader in my opinion. You may be able to do it with a tooth bar but it will be slow going and maybe a little frustrating.

A potato digger would help breaking up the dirt if you have access to one.

 

[thatguy]

I went ahead and ordered the tooth bar from markhams today.. I will start with that while Im looking for a used box blade..

I dont see that I can use the box blade until i knock some of the dips out of it - the dips are too drastic to drive over with my tractor.. Luckily it is all grass/dirt and maybe a few small rocks, but nothing too big.. Hopefully the tooth bar will help knock it down so I can get in there to smooth it out..

thanks for all the replies..

Brian

 

[manganos]

You peaked my curiosity so I contacted them about a toothbar too. Not a bad price!!!!!

 

[thatguy]

You peaked my curiosity so I contacted them about a toothbar too. Not a bad price!!!!!

I looked at some on ebay and the Berlon one.. the berlon was quite a bit cheaper ($183 + shipping) but the teeth were not replaceable and it just didnt look as nice as the Markham one.. The ebays ones were way more expensive but were quite beefy looking..

The reviews/comments on the Markham have all been outstanding so I think I made a good decision..

Markham said the tooth bar will ship out tomorrow.. Now if our 10" of snow will melt I can get started on my projects. LOL

Brian

 

[prosperity]

You'll be very happy with the Markham tooth bar -

Has to be the best add-on I've bought for my tractor.

You can do a lot with the tooth bar, and from what you describe, you should have no problem with your project.

Just take it slow (protect your loader arms!) - small bites - a little at a time. Start by shaving 6" off your humps at a time. Set your loader bucket just a little down from flat on the ground and move forward slowly - you'll be surprised how well it will work.

Good luck, and be sure to post some photos of the project as you go!

 

[Compact1]

I went ahead and ordered the tooth bar from markhams today.. I will start with that while Im looking for a used box blade..

I dont see that I can use the box blade until i knock some of the dips out of it - the dips are too drastic to drive over with my tractor.. Luckily it is all grass/dirt and maybe a few small rocks, but nothing too big.. Hopefully the tooth bar will help knock it down so I can get in there to smooth it out..

thanks for all the replies..

Brian

Brian,

You won't regret the purchase of your new toothbar!

Any chance you could post a picture of the dips? I've been trying to visualize your project but a photo would help.

 

[thatguy]

Brian,

You won't regret the purchase of your new toothbar!

Any chance you could post a picture of the dips? I've been trying to visualize your project but a photo would help.

We have about 10" of snow on the ground now, but Ill take a pic this afternoon.. the dips are quite noticeable..

Brian

 

[thatguy]

As promised here are a few pics.. I hope they pics show the dips, the snow doesnt give a lot of contrast..

You will notice the area with the tall weeds is the area i want to smooth out.. If you look close you will sea large burn pile at the top of the hill.. From that burn pile down past the small pile of brush is the area that is too rough to ride over..