Opening ditch lines

steve2 · Apr 28, 2023

Need to redo/open up roadside ditch lines on my WV hillside farm. I have a 5’ box drag and a manual 3pt 5’ blade. Also have FEL. Can anyone describe how to setup/use either implement to work a ditch line? I’m not able to offset. Is there a work around? Are there 3pt implements specifically designed for ditch line work? Top link is currently manual adjustment.

repete · Apr 28, 2023

Could you describe the term "ditch line" a little better? Are you trying to create a finished ditch or a slope from the road bed say 5' wide that drains water?
I have "ditch lines" that are 4' deep that need to be maintained with a backhoe. That becomes a chore every few years due to vegetation growth.
I have roadside angles that are about 12-18" below the road surface that I mow multiple times a year and a backhoe never touches them.
Maybe a picture of your challenge would help.

2manyrocks · Apr 28, 2023

Depends on the slope of the ditch bank whether you can do anything much with a tractor not to mention whether the ground is too wet to work in. That being said, a sliding rear blade that is wide enough and that can be angled up/down and sideways could potentially be used to re-work a slight ditch.

LD1 · Apr 28, 2023

More details, more information, and pictures. Cannot answer any of your questions.

Allthough I do wonder why you only have a 5' blade and 5' drag box for a M7040 tractor???

jonsstihl · Apr 28, 2023

my guess would be it is a recent upgrade and he kept the old implements.

certainly not big enough but something could be done. If the ditch is not too deep angle the rear blade and put the tractor tire in the ditch and gradually move more and more material out of the ditch to clear it.

Just know that if you hit something hard you will most likely damage the implement since the tractor is much more powerful that what would typically be put in front of 5ft wide implements

Egon · Apr 29, 2023

Need more information on road width and ditch size plus soil type and moisture content.

steve2 · Apr 30, 2023

2manyrocks said:
Depends on the slope of the ditch bank whether you can do anything much with a tractor not to mention whether the ground is too wet to work in. That being said, a sliding rear blade that is wide enough and that can be angled up/down and sideways could potentially be used to re-work a slight ditch.

steve2 · Apr 30, 2023

Here are a couple of pics. Thanks for the responses. When/if it dries out I may try dropping tires into ditch line with blade if I can adjust vertical blade angle enough. Should I also adjust horizontal angle? FYI the tractor is 2013 upgrade and implements predate the 7040. I would consider one of those blades that offsets with more adjustablilty anyone have a good used one for sale?

2manyrocks · Apr 30, 2023

Looks like the ditch is on the uphill side. Problem is that unless you can get enough tilt angle on it, either a blade or box is going to flatten it to where you don't really have a ditch.

TerryR · Apr 30, 2023

You will need to adjust the horizontal angle. Your tractor probably has an adjustment to make one side of the 3-point lower arms lower or higher. But I don't get enough angle that way on my tractor. But you can get a lot more by adjusting the top link. If you make it shorter the leading edge of the blade will go down, giving more cut out of the ditch.