[KUBOTA B3200] Grader Blade / Box Blade Recommendation for Driveway Maintenance

[Forest_Man]

Dont know if our OP has purchased yet; but the Rhino 3505 60" Rear Blade 'seems' to offer pivot, tilt, and offset, for a pretty affordable price.

I have not yet - still looking for a used one with around me. Very good find with the Rhino 3505 - see used prices as low as $600.

 

[oosik]

When I had my Ford 1700 I had a smaller, lighter Land Pride rear blade - around 350#. It did great - clearing snow on my driveway.

Otherwise - in the summer. It drug along behind the tractor - bumping, chattering and making sparks. It just was not heavy enough to do any work.

The first thing I bought when I got my new Kubota M6040 - a HD 8 foot Rhino rear blade. It weighs a tad over 1000# and will cut into my gravel driveway with ease.

 

[Bendboater]

I wonder how much it would cost to have someone come in with the right tools to do the job? Might actually be less expensive in the long run. Then, after the road has been properly constructed, you can use your tractor to maintain it. I know money can be tight, but IMO, I would consider having an all weather road into my residence to be much more important than having all the fun toys (including the tractor) discussed thus far.
Just my 2 cents.
Good luck.

 

[paulsharvey]

I wonder how much it would cost to have someone come in with the right tools to do the job? Might actually be less expensive in the long run. Then, after the road has been properly constructed, you can use your tractor to maintain it. I know money can be tight, but IMO, I would consider having an all weather road into my residence to be much more important than having all the fun toys (including the tractor) discussed thus far.
Just my 2 cents.
Good luck.

I would 'guess' we are talking right around $40,000 to hire it done.

So, if we wanted to break this down as a bid job, I'm looking at approx $27,000 in Material; $6400 in a dozer/operator; $3000 mobilization; $1600 for a vibratory roller; or $38,000 cost; now, 18.75% profit; we end up at a contract price of $45,175. That's a Lot of money for a driveway that our OP has successfully used for years; when we can add some base material in areas, dress it up, do some water control, and all; for $4500 or so.

 

[D&D]

I wonder how much it would cost to have someone come in with the right tools to do the job? Might actually be less expensive in the long run. Then, after the road has been properly constructed, you can use your tractor to maintain it. I know money can be tight, but IMO, I would consider having an all weather road into my residence to be much more important than having all the fun toys (including the tractor) discussed thus far.
Just my 2 cents.
Good luck.

well……

Yes, 50% of the reason I bought the Kubota was to maintain the driveway. Right now I need to get it fixed by the Timber company then hopefully I'll be able to maintain it with a box blade after they are done with the work.

 

[rScotty]

I have not yet - still looking for a used one with around me. Very good find with the Rhino 3505 - see used prices as low as $600.

Twenty years ago, the type of project that you are wanting to do was very commonly done with 30 hp tractors. ALL YOU NEED IS THE RIGHT 3PT IMPLEMENT.

At one time, every USA implement company made an affordable manually adjusted 3pt six foot back blade that worked nearly as well as a road grader. IT DID JUST WHAT YOU WANT.
We have one, and I still have an old spread sheet showing half a dozen companies that made their own version. Although these have mostly been discontinued in today's cheapie US implement market, a used one would be just exactly what you want for that muddy long driveway.

In fact, since I have one I know it well. No, unfortunately not for sale - but a used one would be just as good. An example is a Land Pride RB3572 (discontinued, of course)
Then RB3572 came with manually adjustable tilt, angle, offset, reversing, end plates caps, stand, trailing wheel, and skid shoes. Every part well built. Well matched to your B3200.
Price in 2002 was just over 2K. Used ones are now about that price today.
It will cut, smooth, ditch, and berm. Does mud & gravel. Has optional rake.

Here's all the info on one typical model. There are others.
It does need to have all those adjustments, and most of the optional parts to really work well. The end plates/caps are what makes it work like a box blade. The tilt+offset does the ditch & berm.
Then trailing wheel keeps it all honest.
rScotty

 

[Forest_Man]

I would 'guess' we are talking right around $40,000 to hire it done.

So, if we wanted to break this down as a bid job, I'm looking at approx $27,000 in Material; $6400 in a dozer/operator; $3000 mobilization; $1600 for a vibratory roller; or $38,000 cost; now, 18.75% profit; we end up at a contract price of $45,175. That's a Lot of money for a driveway that our OP has successfully used for years; when we can add some base material in areas, dress it up, do some water control, and all; for $4500 or so.

I have not gotten an actual quote but I wouldn't be shocked if I got a quote more expensive than that.

And yes, the driveway is functional and needs proper maintenance that I am willing and getting ready to do it.

 

[Forest_Man]

Twenty years ago, the type of project that you are wanting to do was very commonly done with 30 hp tractors. ALL YOU NEED IS THE RIGHT 3PT IMPLEMENT.

In fact, since I have one I know it well. No, unfortunately not for sale - but a used one would be just as good. An example is a Land Pride RB3572 (discontinued, of course)
Then RB3572 came with manually adjustable tilt, angle, offset, reversing, end plates caps, stand, trailing wheel, and skid shoes. Every part well built. Well matched to your B3200.
Price in 2002 was just over 2K. Used ones are now about that price today.
It will cut, smooth, ditch, and berm. Does mud & gravel. Has optional rake.

Amazing recommendation and literature. Thank you very much! Having a model/series that has been tested to search for helps a lot!

Here's all the info on one typical model. There are others.

How could I find comparable models with full adjustments? Do you happen to know another model that i could start a search for too?

 

[rScotty]

Amazing recommendation and literature. Thank you very much! Having a model/series that has been tested to search for helps a lot!


How could I find comparable models with full adjustments? Do you happen to know another model that i could start a search for too?

Amazing recommendation and literature. Thank you very much! Having a model/series that has been tested to search for helps a lot!


How could I find comparable models with full adjustments? Do you happen to know another model that i could start a search for too?

Well, they used to be common. The same blades are now hydraulically controlled and over twice the price. But I'll bet manual ones are stll out there. Once you get it set up for an operation like ditching or berming you tend to go the whole length of the drive that way. It often requires many passes moving only minimal material to get it right.

There are a number of used implement warehouse dealers online. Used ones work as good as new, but all of the 3way adjustable work much better with the end caps & sliders. I've not found a tail wheel (depth adjustment) as handy as I thought it would be.
But all those parts are pretty much universal and can be adapted later.

Here is a screenshot I made up when looking. Old, but might help. Most blades angle, but what you really want is one that will also tilt & offset. They are built much heavier that a simple angle blade. They are expensive, but 90% cheaper than hiring it done - and when done you can keep or sell the blade. rScotty

 

[Forest_Man]

View attachment 872561

This is great! Thank you very much for sharing it.