Designing a LPGS

[MtnViewRanch]

I've been following this as I intend to build one for myself soon. I see that some designs have angled blades and others have them mounted straight. Is there a specific reason or advantage of one vs the other? Or disadvantage for that matter?

Supposedly the angled blades transfer material side ways so as to help maintain a crown in a drive. While this is good in theory, the material moves such a small amount (less than 1" in my experience) that in reality it makes no difference.

The angled blades should cut wash boarding better than the straight blades. There are TBN members that say that their straight blades work just fine.

I have 2 units that I purchased, they have angled blades. The best that I can tell, all the manufactured units have angled blades while most if not all of the home made units have straight blades. Now why do you think that is? Wouldn't be because it's easier to mount them straight than it is at an angle. No, that wouldn't be the reason. My thinking is that the difference that there might be between straight and angled is so small, that it really doesn't matter.

I think that one of the biggest things that can't seem to be decided on is how far the cutting edges should be set below the runners. Some say flush, some say more, all I know is that mine are set 1" down and everything works just fine for me.

 

[jenkinsph]

Brian,
You may be right about the simplicity of a straight cut vs. an angled cut. But whether you use a torch or a chop saw to make your cuts making the angled cuts are just as easy as straight cuts imo.


I prefer the straight blade set up because I can adjust the top link and still have the blades parallel to the surface, can't do that with the angled blades. While it doesn't pose a problem on a typical driveway it does make a difference if it needs to be water level accurate such as the field work I have been doing.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Brian,
You may be right about the simplicity of a straight cut vs. an angled cut. But whether you use a torch or a chop saw to make your cuts making the angled cuts are just as easy as straight cuts imo.


I prefer the straight blade set up because I can adjust the top link and still have the blades parallel to the surface, can't do that with the angled blades. While it doesn't pose a problem on a typical driveway it does make a difference if it needs to be water level accurate such as the field work I have been doing.

Steve, no doubt that the straight blades work best for the accurate grading that you do. In general I doubt that very many people actually do the critical grading that you do.

As far as cutting, no problem for you or me or? But many people might have a problem measuring. Not to say that they can't get it done, but it is easier to measure straight vs at an angle and getting it right at the start.

 

[jenkinsph]

Brian,
I am going to try to finish another small field today, worked on it all weekend. I have spent a lot of seat time this year with the box blade and laser set up, doesn't leave much for the land plane to slick over. I will try to get some pics today of the box blading and land plane to show the differences. I know every one likes to see pics.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Brian,
I am going to try to finish another small field today, worked on it all weekend. I have spent a lot of seat time this year with the box blade and laser set up, doesn't leave much for the land plane to slick over. I will try to get some pics today of the box blading and land plane to show the differences. I know every one likes to see pics.