Trying to decide on buckets/blade

Rio_Grande · Feb 1, 2012

I have a ghel CTL 70 and it has a 6 foot wide bucket on the front. I have been using this combination to cut roads out of the hillsides on my property. The only problem with this setup is with terrain changes it is hard to stay level side to side.

This has lead me to look for a 6 way blade. All the used ones I find are 3000+ and if I was gonna pay that much I would just hire the work done. I found a 4 way blade for reasonable money but it was only 6 feet wide. When I tilt it will not cover my tracks.
Would there be any advantage to this type of blade for my purpose or am I throwing money away when what I really need is a 6 way blade to begin with.

Bob Rooks · Feb 1, 2012

When you say tilt I assume you mean angle.
If road profiling is something you will be doing continuously (bi-monthly) it would be in your best interest to get the proper sized six-way blade, otherwise it may be more cost effective to contract it out. You'll have to crunch some numbers.

Rio_Grande · Feb 1, 2012

Yes I mean angle. Once this road is cut I wont be cutting any more road, but the road will run double the length of a 13 acre plot through the woods from one hilside to another. I have gotten to the first creek but getting the road bed flat and angled to drain has been a challenge. The hardest part is getting the skid steer level then keeping it so.

Ken45101 · Feb 2, 2012

Yes, it's hard with a skid steer. I too would love a 6 way dozer blade but I can't see spending the money and besides I've heard that they aren't really good for cutting into virgin dirt. Notice all the demo videos are nice loose dirt.

The best way to cut across a hillside it a dozer, backhoe or min excavator. Then the skid steer can do nice finish work.

Ken

tonyoz · Feb 2, 2012

Why don't you get a powertilt quick attach???:thumbsup:

Tags · Feb 2, 2012

tonyoz said:
Why don't you get a powertilt quick attach???:thumbsup:

I agree, the powertilt will probably be your best option, although pricey as well, but handier than the blade. I had a Grouser 8' blade that I had bought used from United Rentals years ago, it was hardly used and I got it for $1800, after using it once I realized why it was hardly used.....you will destroy your machine trying to cut virgin ground with it. I can actually cut and grade faster with my 4n1 bucket with teeth than I could with the blade.