Grading using a drag behind attachment for a backhoe or truck

Seananamous · Mar 24, 2019

I've seen some intuitive ways of making their own boxblade and drag behind chain etc.
What do you think is the best situation for 1/2 mile of mountain top with very hard rocks?
I'm looking at some of these boxblades thinking it wouldnt stand up to what is on the top of my hill, and it's not totally flat with lots of bend.
What can you recommend?
I have a backhoe and just grade it using the front loader for now and manually with a rake.

Seananamous · Mar 24, 2019

Sorry it wasnt. Just added it now.

airbiscuit · Mar 24, 2019

So what kind of issues do you have with drainage, runoff velocity, etc.? Center crown, water bars, etc.? Any gravel on it? Are you just looking to smooth washboards and fill potholes, or are you looking to maintain contour?

airbiscuit · Mar 24, 2019

Here is what I made for my 1/2 mile road. No big rocks though.

Seananamous · Mar 25, 2019

No issues with drainage. The only issues I'm having is that its getting wavy as I'm using the front loader. I'd say theres some large rocks that cant be removed from the path and I've done my best to cover over it with some base material - 1-1/2 rock with dust. That's what I've mostly been using for the path.
Whats shown in this video just looks like dirt and no gravel. Would this work with 1-1/2" gravel?

airbiscuit · Mar 25, 2019

I now have more gravel and it works great. I do have to work it when it is moist and not hard and dry. It gets rid of the whoops and washboards great - and really makes things level and smooth. The tail wheel keeps one end lifted to maintain the crown. Weight is your friend. I've seen some versions that have a cradle for a barrel that you can fill with water for weight.

Another option that might work for you would be a landscape rake you could pull like a trailer.

Seananamous · Mar 25, 2019

If it works on gravel then I'm totally interested in seeing how it's made!
The landscape rake also sounds like a good idea. Might just make my own with some rebar. I saw someone else do something similar.

WranglerX · Mar 25, 2019

I have limited stuff right now... A 4ft piece of RR track I use as drag to knock off high crown in road, and a 8 foot section of chain link fence folded over a "T" stake and chain to tractor and large rocks inside fold for weight to even things out... Sort of a screen drag harrow....

Dale