Whats wrong with my Land plane build?

[jjeff]

While this design might work better for a smooth finish, I can't see how it would be able to leave the crown in a road, unless it requires that it be used in conjunction with other means that mechanically tilt it.
Just my observations, be nice to know if it will actually crown a road.
David from jax

Use the adjustable side link or at least that's what I did with ok results on my tractor, used a skid steer specific landplane with angle running straight across after I sold skid steer.

 

[bearskinner]

I set two blades as far apart as possible, and measured a factory land plane angle at 18 degrees, so I copied that. My 2 pieces if AR Steel are set 5/8” below the sides. Works great on my 1200’ gravel driveway.

 

[Gmoney44]

The picture where you are using it looks to be more like dirt with possibly clumps of grass/roots rather than stone/gravel. Stone/gravel will roll or flow over the bars easier than something that clumps like grass or dirt with clay. However, the dirt which you are dragging in your picture looks to very dry and I would think other than grass/roots should flow over the bars. If the dirt was wet I could easily see where it would clump and flow over the bars in clumps.

One concern I may see is the distance between the top cross member and the top of the first cutting bar. On my Brush Hog that distance is 6" What is your distance?

Do you have any pictures of why you say it is not smooth?

I just had its on my driveway for pictures. It's had to see in the pictures of what I'm calling not smooth.

 

[Gmoney44]

These are just opinions based on my build which works flawlessly. First off, that thing would have cutter blades on it if it were mine. They would protrude at least 1/2" below the sides. In the pics it looks like you have too much front and not enough rear lift adjustment. Material pouring over the blades is not a bad thing as long as it's not too much. You need to get that back blade engaged some before anything else can be observed.

I have ar 500 steel I belive is what it is called attached to the angle iron. To me it looks like I need another supports further back that ties into the top link to be able to get more level?

 

[Gmoney44]

All your pictures of it not working are on a gravel drive, but you are upset about how it works on dirt with grass in it?

Looks a little tight between the front blade and the top cross member, but that's hard to adjust now. My land plane (bad boy grader scraper) has both blade at an angle, not just the front one. But that doesn't look like your issue from the pics. Is it just standard angle iron, or do you have a sharper cutting edge welded onto it?

I have what i believe is called ar500 steel attached to angle iron

 

[Gmoney44]

I would add cutting edges and allow them the hang 1/2" below the angle iron.
A toplink would greatly improve the workability. Changing the angle while running can increase or decrease the cut as needed.
That is a good looking unit.

I do have the cutting edge and top link I believe

 

[Gmoney44]

I believe the top link mount on the implement is way too short. I would weld a taller mount so the angle down is not so aggressive. The way it is now I could see the back tilting up and bending your top link or your PTO cover even more than it is now.

Something like this angle would work much better and allow you to adjust the back blade down.

View attachment 809980

That was kind of what I was thinking but would I also need to add another cross member a little further back that ties into the top link?

 

[Renze]

The picture where you are using it looks to be more like dirt with possibly clumps of grass/roots rather than stone/gravel. Stone/gravel will roll or flow over the bars easier than something that clumps like grass or dirt with clay. However, the dirt which you are dragging in your picture looks to very dry and I would think other than grass/roots should flow over the bars. If the dirt was wet I could easily see where it would clump and flow over the bars in clumps.

That was what i noticed as well: dry loose clumpy dirt doesnt cut nor roll well.

Miskin even put an air blast in the blade to make it roll into the scraper bowl instead of drag in front of it.

 

[K5lwq]

That was kind of what I was thinking but would I also need to add another cross member a little further back that ties into the top link?

Probably would not hurt to add some support. Here is a picture of how my EA is designed.

 

[thclimer]

If your not satisfied with the smoothness that you are getting and without seeing your land plane actually working the ground I can only guess that the material you are trying to smooth just doesn't roll evenly over the land plane's bars.

A land plane will excel at smoothing material that can flow and roll within itself. It is this rolling/flowing action that allows the material to be distributed more evenly throughout the width of the plane. Additionally, the dryness of the of material can also play a significant role in the results which you can obtain. A land plane doesn't have the ability to grind up clumpy/sticky material. It can loosen some material to a point but that's not its best application.

Our driveway which is made of a top layer, 4-6" of crushed limestone 3/4" and dust, packs like concrete when very dry. Running a land plane over it when its like concrete can be done but its a lot more work than if its just slightly damp. However, if its too wet it will not flow well and you'll get clumps which will not leave as smooth a surface as when its dry or just slightly moist.