Seeders Driveway Maintenance - Box Scraper?

jeff9366 · Aug 9, 2016

JeffroL said:
Here's an honest question. I've read in multiple places that you should buy a heavier implement (blade, leveler, etc.) based upon your tractor size. It will work better. That intuitively doesn't make sense to me.

The tractor Three Point Hitch lifts hydraulically, but drops by gravity. The Three Point Hitch applies no down pressure to the implement. So the implement weight, usually the implement weight per unit of width, determines penetration of ground contact implements; therefore the dirt cutting ability of implements.

Light Box Blades, light Rear Blades, etc., may skip over hard ground, not penetrating at all, where a heavier implement will penetrate the soil.

Second, some weight of Three Point Hitch mounted implements is transferred to the tractor rear wheels through the Three Point Hitch Lower Links, improving traction. Some weight is transferred to the front wheels through impetus from the Top Link, improving front wheel traction, especially if tractor has 4-WD.

The Three Point Hitch cannot apply hydraulic down pressure when tractor is moving because of Issac Newton's Law of equal and opposite reaction. The weight of the mounted implement must do the work.

Fallon · Aug 10, 2016

Heavier implements are more durable & penetrate the ground better due to increased ground pressure where they contact the ground. They don't work any better behind a bigger machine, assuming the smaller machine could actually pull it. The bigger machine can exert more force on an impliment. If you snag a root or rock with a big machine & light implement it will bend where a heavier implement wouldn't.

JeffroL · Aug 11, 2016

Okay, so basically the cheaper / lighter tool would in fact work, but would be more likely to be damaged by the more powerful tractor. Makes sense! Thanks everyone. I'm going to make do with my fixed blade while I save up for a land leveler. Looks like that's the way to go, but I can't spend $2000 on one right now.

jeff9366 · Aug 11, 2016

If you are in Sperryville, Virginia, consider an LPGS from ETA for the Deutz:

Land Leveler Land Plane Utility Grader with Scarifier Shanks

Somewhat cheaper without rippers.

JeffroL · Aug 12, 2016

jeff9366 said:
If you are in Sperryville, Virginia, consider an LPGS from ETA for the Deutz:

Land Leveler Land Plane Utility Grader with Scarifier Shanks

Somewhat cheaper without rippers.

I had looked at that model exactly. And yea, I could pull that behind my Deutz and likely be successful and not damage the tool based upon the feedback. It's a 35HP that's so old it's probably running more like a 30HP at this point. It doesn't like to run at full RPM / HP. I don't actually think I NEED an 8' tool, the driveway is extremely narrow in many places. An 8' leveler would probably cut the edges a lot.

-Jeff

JeffroL · Aug 12, 2016

I'm going to post a photo of a couple of challenging areas to get group views on whether a land leveler can handle the job. Look for those this afternoon and that might help sharpen the input I'm getting on the best and most appropriate tool.

JeffroL · Nov 12, 2016

Quick update: I recently purchased a ratchet rake for my bucket, and wow, that's exactly what I needed for the driveway. I use the teeth on the bucket as a scarifier and the blade on the back angled and backwards to smooth things out. It just works perfectly. Flawless driveway, no grass, and perfectly smooth. Not bad for $350.

ovrszd · Nov 12, 2016

JeffroL said:
Quick update: I recently purchased a ratchet rake for my bucket, and wow, that's exactly what I needed for the driveway. I use the teeth on the bucket as a scarifier and the blade on the back angled and backwards to smooth things out. It just works perfectly. Flawless driveway, no grass, and perfectly smooth. Not bad for $350.

Can you post pics of this operation?? Curious how you use the bucket teeth. Thanks!!!!

JeffroL · Nov 12, 2016

ovrszd said:
Can you post pics of this operation?? Curious how you use the bucket teeth. Thanks!!!!

I should have taken a picture while I was using it today. Drat!! Here's a video that generally shows what it is: Fantastic brush clearing etc loader attachment for just $33 Delivered Ratchet Rake Kubota B232 - YouTube. I purchases a 72" ratchet rake from here: Ratchet Rake, LLC - Tractor attachment, Bucket attachment, Loader, Skid loader, Kubota, Skid steer, Landscape rake, Brush remover, York Rake, Harley Rake, Rock Rake, Tractor rake attachment, Construction attachment, New Holland, Bobcat, Fire safety, Home fire safety, Fire prevention, John Deere, skid steer attachment, tractor implement. In a nutshell, it levelled the bucket and would drive forward with the bucket exerting enough down pressure so that I could still steer, but putting a lot of weight on the bucket. The blade on the back of the tractor I had rotated all the way around, so the curve was facing away from the tractor, e.g. it doesn't "dig" at all going forward. It's just scraping/levelling.

Then I drove forward, ripping the driveway up, exposing fresh gravel. The blade on the back was angled about 45 degrees to pull the gravel in from the side of the driveway. Amazing results. I should have taken before / after pictures. Went from two grass covered tracks and a 8" grass mound in the middle - to a nice level solid gravel surface. Some ripped grass mixed in, but REALLY REALLY good. Since I had the blade already - so $400 delivered and this is an excellent solution. Far better than spending $2-$4k on a land leveler!