Land Plane

[Red Horse]

Anyone have experience with land planes? Specifically the ABI 7'. I from time to time take care of a couple of gravel common driveways that are basically gravel or graded base (3/4 bluestone/stone dust). Usually I use my Land Pride Power rake-old school model with 3/4" wear bars on the roller, not "nubs" like are the only thing available on the new models. I'm thinking though a land plane is much quicker in particular if done on a frequent basis.

Opinions?

 

[workinonit]

I use mine quite often. It's one I built. Can't beat it for leveling drives, etc.

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[Smokeydog]

Best tool for gravel driveway maintenance. Can easily pay for itself in maintenance time, road durability and gravel cost.

Long sides and angled blades work best.

 

[metalbender]

My home built plane is six ft wide by six long, weighs in at just over 900 lbs. Four passes on the half mile drive gives great results.

 

[jyoutz]

I use mine quite often. It's one I built. Can't beat it for leveling drives, etc.

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Nice job. I’d hate to price the steel to make that today though.

 

[pokey1416]

I use one at work and like it real well. Little wet on this video, I've broken two ripper tips so far. I haven't tried it yet this year with the new hydraulic top link so I'm thinking I'll like it even better.

LPGS try out

 

[CADplans]

Landplanes are GREAT ,, BUT,, there is one MAJOR problem with them.

I re-did my driveway in 2018, and other than moving snow a couple times,,
there has been no other gravel moved in 4 years.

If you have the landplane, it is difficult to see it parked in the weeds.
The LESS you move gravel on your driveway, the better.
That landplane is a MAJOR TEMPTATION to regrade, even when the driveway is fine.

 

[oosik]

I have a 150 foot section on my mile long gravel driveway that needs regrading - every year. It's a spot where a large field drains down onto. This year, I've promised myself, I'm going to ditch that side of the driveway and drain all the water away from the driveway.

I have an seven foot wide Land Pride LPGS. First I use my rear blade and scrape the ditches back up onto the road surface. Then with the LPGS. I end up with the driving surface as smooth as a babies behind.

 

[pokey1416]

You have the absolute right idea and where I’m missing the mark - getting the gravel back up and onto the road. Backblade is my next purchase

 

[oosik]

pokey - like all land engagement equipment - WEIGHT is your friend. Get the heaviest rear blade that your tractor can handle and your pocketbook can afford. My rear blade is a 96" Rhino 950 @ 1050 pounds. When I "do" the ditches - it's offset, angled and tilted. It's all manual - hydraulic costs $1250 more and that was five years ago.

When I plow snow it just offset and angled. Five years ago the blade cost $3700. Buy once - cry once.

If I need to do surface grading on the driveway and move material - I add a 400# block of concrete to the blade. Otherwise - it's plenty heavy for snow and ditches without the concrete block.

 

[pokey1416]

Thanks oosik I've perused the Rhino products. I don't think my GL4060 could handle that size blade though? I've bought some implements from GWT as I can drive and pick them up. I bought a Dirt Dog tiller from him and will check on Dirt Dog blades. I'm thinking a 7' would be ok, I've got the 7' land plane.

 

[ovrszd]

I use mine quite often. It's one I built. Can't beat it for leveling drives, etc.

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Nice build!!!! I've considered building one for several years but have very limited need. I think they are the best tool for driveway routine maintenance.

If you built another one would you do the opposing blade method again?

 

[oosik]

I have a heavy eight foot rear blade for two reasons. I have my rear tires set out at their widest( 80" - outside to outside) and blade weight. I offset the blade to the MAX when I clear out my driveway ditches and clear snow off the driveway.

Some here on TBN use the next size bigger( 108") on my size tractor. My Kubota Op Manual says - max is 72". I do some pretty heavy grading with this rear blade. I don't think I would ever need anything bigger than what I have.

I don't feel I need to find what the absolute max is by breaking/damaging equipment.

I don't think I will EVER get good enough with my rear blade to equal what my land plane grading scraper can do.

Unfortunately - each implement ( land plane grading scraper vs rear blade ) is best for specific jobs. The LPGS will smooth a driveway - like a babies butt. Mine has scarifiers - so I can easily get rid of potholes and the like. However - it won't do much else.
A rear blade is a truly multi-use implement. Grade material up out of the ditches - spread it across the driving surface - reverse & drag for a truly smooth surface. But it's not really the implement to repair potholes and the like.

If you get a rear blade - look for one that will offset - angle - tilt.

My LPGS is out in the weeds and between some of my smaller pines. It's "day in the sun" is rapidly approaching.

 

[Xfaxman]

Land Plane​

The one I have is on the front:

 

[workinonit]

Nice build!!!! I've considered building one for several years but have very limited need. I think they are the best tool for driveway routine maintenance.

If you built another one would you do the opposing blade method again?

Absolutely. No question. There's no other way to build one in my opinion.

 

[ovrszd]

Absolutely. No question. There's no other way to build one in my opinion.

That's my opinion as well.

 

[oosik]

Right now I'm in the process of straightening out my one "mud hole" on my driveway with my LPGS. I hit it a little too soon but I can now drive thru the area without splashing mud everywhere. When it dries out more - one last go at it to make it smooth as a babies butt.

Maybe in my next life - my driveway will have nice gravel - like Xfaxman.

 

[Xfaxman]

Maybe in my next life - my driveway will have nice gravel - like Xfaxman.

14 tons of crushed concrete, cheaper than gravel:

 

[oosik]

I just finished with the LPGS on the "mud hole". Smooth as a pool table. Tomorrow - pat it down with the Taco Wagon. At 10,100 pounds the tractor is heavier but I like it to harden up smooth - not with all those chevron marks.

You know what - those @#$% weather forecasters say we are getting snow - middle of this coming week. Mayhaps I'm just getting old but this has sure been a long, cold spring.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

I have a cheap China made 5' box blade from our local auto, farm store..
I plan to add bolt on 4x4 angle iron skids and a cross blade behind the box blade to make it somewhat more a land plane like attachment..

It may not be the best, but it surely will be useful and cheaper than 2 individual attachments..