Wanting to "cut" a slot in the ground

[chim]

So, im still unsure, we want to cut a trench or edge? Those are different tasks. Edge, 24" smooth disc blade, some angle iron, a bearing (if we are fancy), and clamp to the side of the bucket.

Initial post was for edger. That's why I said I used a Mantis with an edger blade. I did about 600' along our driveway in less than an hour. Some of those implements look neat but difficult to "steer".

 

[Shawn T. W.]

OP wants to INSTALL edging, presume either plastic or metal ... Cut a slice in the ground, drop edging in, tamp down/close the cut soil on the edging ...

The plow coulter mentioned in post #8 could work, or even an old lawn mower blade or piece of 1/8" X 2"-3" flat stock that is heated to give it a slight twist to widen up the slit/slot to drop the edging in ... Bolted/clamped to the side of the bucket ...

 

[dnw64]

So, im still unsure, we want to cut a trench or edge? Those are different tasks. Edge, 24" smooth disc blade, some angle iron, a bearing (if we are fancy), and clamp to the side of the bucket.

If we want to trench; offset, we need to make a wide 3 point "tool bar" and attach something like a chisel plow to that. That's a lot of force of that tool bar though.

I just want a slot, so I can put metal edging in. I have done similar with a spade for 1/2" irrigation piping. I just don't want to do 300 LF of spade work... A "pizza cutter" type implement sould work perfect, IMO, althoug a slight widening of said cut wouldn't be bad. Like a 1/2" wide wheel tapered to a point. I've seen a couple ideas on here that I think should work. Just need to nail down sources and then conjure up the attachment. Will try to remember to resurrect this thread with what I come up with (which will not be until next spring).

 

[MossRoad]

A smooth disc blade similar to this is concave. It might open a nice V to one side. It might totally remove your sod! I do not know. But it might be worth looking at them at your local AG supply store. I'd imagine it on a rolling axle parallel to the tractor. You might be able to clamp something to your FEL bucket, or some mount on the rear that would stick off to the side. I'd guess visibility would be a main concern so you could see it as you maneuvered through the area.

The problem I see would be is sliding to the side as you turn VS following a straight line. But if it just pushes the sod to one side, you could install the edging and remove the sod on the opposite side.

You could control depth with a gauge wheel and put weights on it so if floats independently from the tractor.

If I were to do it on my machine, I'd use a gauge wheel, barbell weights on a post, and mount it to my FEL quick attach and let it float.

Good luck with your project. Sounds interesting.

 

[EscapedSuburbia]

What about a subsoiler? You'd want to weld up something to offset it to one side.

 

[djvalade]

I'm envisioning a disc that rotates, attached to the side of a bucket, so that when lowered and driven along, it makes a cut in the ground.

This would be to install edging, to keep a mulched area separate from the lawn, so I would want to go approximately 3-4" below grade.

Firstly, is there such a thing commercially available? I've done some searching but have no idea what it might be called. The closest I've found is a "pipe layer", but one key factor is that it needs to be at the side of the tractor. Between my son and I we could probably modify something if it was out there.

If not, any ideas/suggestions as to how one might be made? I have immediate use to install about 300LF of edging, and a lot more in the future, and don't look forward to doing this all by hand.

Our local fiber installation company uses a vertical knife attached centerline behind their tracked tractor. You would have to modify and install it side mounted but the knife is about 18 inches long.

 

[BigOhio]

Just did this myself. Rented a Bluebird edger from local rental yard. Most of my edging was going into packed gravel and money well spent!

 

[smiley]

I'm envisioning a disc that rotates, attached to the side of a bucket, so that when lowered and driven along, it makes a cut in the ground.

This would be to install edging, to keep a mulched area separate from the lawn, so I would want to go approximately 3-4" below grade.

Firstly, is there such a thing commercially available? I've done some searching but have no idea what it might be called. The closest I've found is a "pipe layer", but one key factor is that it needs to be at the side of the tractor. Between my son and I we could probably modify something if it was out there.

If not, any ideas/suggestions as to how one might be made? I have immediate use to install about 300LF of edging, and a lot more in the future, and don't look forward to doing this all by hand...

It's called s pizza cutter. Used them for many miles cutting edges on pavement. Most generally on the end of a grader blade as you could control the accuracy in any direction. Also used one on skid steer or loader for cutting slot in ground to bury the bottom edge of silt fencing.
A plow Coulter would do your job and I'm sure it would be a lot cheaper than the heavy duty ones we used on road jobs.

 

[svobronco]

I'm in a similar boat. Inherited a house with a paved driveway completely obscured by grass. A lot comes up by hand, but the edges are undefined and impossible to cut thru with a hand edger.
So I picked up a cheap, used gas powered edger. Had to get a larger blade and haven't had a chance to use it yet. My expectations are rather low...this grass it thick!

I came up with a plan to mount an antique, straight bladed coulter somewhere, somehow on my JD955, probably the bucket. But the coulter I think I have is 3.5hrs away at another property. It's beginning to look like a winter project....

I'll post pictures if this all comes together.

 

[ray66v]

I have considered this idea, to cut a line between my gravel drive, and my lawn.

The biggest issue would seem to be mounting the disc where I can see it well enough to follow a line.

I have a sub compact, and running an arm far enough off the bucket to get it in the open to see it, is going to allow a lot of twisting force to be applied to one side of the FEL, when you apply down force. Maybe a car tire in the other side of the bucket, could minimize twisting.

Mounting something to the backhoe bucket seems like a better idea for me. But, that feels like it could require a driver, and an operator. So, I'm not sure I like that.