Which Land Leveler between these two?

[Hozzie]

So I put in 300 tons of rock yesterday for my new driveway. 2-3" base rock 6" deep with 3-4" crusher run on top 10-11' wide. I expect it will naturally end up running out to 12' over time. It still needs to settle and be run over, but I need to get a land plane to run over it quite a bit as it settles to keep things cleaned up and nice looking (I am a bit over the top on that part). I had read most everything and feel like I understand the pro's cons, but figure it can't hurt to ask for opinions on my options.

My first choice was to get an EA Land Leveler as I have other attachments from them and know the quality, but I can't wait 2.5 months. Second choice was a Land Pride 2572. Of course no dealers around me seem to have one of those either.

So my options are a LP 1572 @$1500 at a dealer or there is a used Mahindra 7' @$900 available locally. My concerns with the 1572 are weight, but I think 6' is the right width to use. My concern with the Mahindra is it's too wide although I think I could tilt it to keep from affecting the crown too much. It also doesn't have scarifers. I don't want the road to go wider than 11-12'.

Money is not a concern within this range. Making the better choice is. I am going to still call further around and see if anyone has a 2572, but they don't seem to carry a lot in stock around here. Dealer say it's 6 weeks to order and I don't want to wait that long either.

Thoughts?

 

[bcp]

I would order the land plane I really want, and while waiting, use my rear blade turned backwards, or the rake with gauge wheels I already have.

Bruce

 

[Trillium Farm]

Isn't Land Pride owned by Kubota? if so your Kubota dealer ought to be able to get it for you.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I would order the land plane I really want, and while waiting, use my rear blade turned backwards, or the rake with gauge wheels I already have.

Bruce

^^ This is what I would do. Listen to your concerns - you want the weight and 6' is plenty wide. If you don't have a rear blade like Bruce says then maybe you could get one of those , a nice heavy one, while you wait for the LP. I think You will find it indispensable down the line. The land plane is a great tool for maintaining the surface of your road and correcting small contours irregularities but the rear blade is far superior when it comes to major contour maintenance which you will need from time to tome.

gg

 

[Hozzie]

Thanks for the feedback. I usually am ok at waiting a couple of weeks, but 6-10 weeks just wasn't going to cut it for me. In my usual fashion of over analyzing things I get a bit narrow focused on too few options. I completely forgot about my local mom and pop Woods dealer. Called him and he had a GSS72P as well as 84 and 96" versions in stock. He doesn't have a fancy dealership, but he sure keeps a nice stock of items and his prices are good. So came home with the Woods 72" which fits the bill for size and weight range I wanted to be in. Already put it on and it does just what I want. All's well that ends well as they say.

 

[Granthol]

Good choice.

 

[Gordon Gould]

That Woods unit looks good - nice and tall. Helps keep stuff from getting jammed up between the top of the blades and the cross braces on top. Happy grading !!

gg

 

[CADplans]

Stay away from the 7 footer,, I hooked my 7 footer to my JD 4105,,
it was the "Tail Wagging The DOG!!"

The tractor I normally pull it with weighs over a ton more than your Kubota,,
other than minor road dressing,, the 7 foot landplane can be a real pull for my IH 584,,,

 

[FarmWrench]

Following.

 

[oosik]

I have found that my Land Pride GS2584( Land Plane Grading Scraper ) is a VERY EASY implement to use. It will smooth out the driveway and get rid of those nasty "speed ripples". However - the list of things a LPGS WILL NOT due is quite long. It will not crown or maintain the crown. It will not clean the ditches nor create roadside ditches. It is worthless on snow. It will not move material from here to there.

To do ALL these chores - a heavy rear blade. A rear blade takes lots of experience to become proficient. However, with time, it will very effectively do them all.

With most all land engagement implements - weight is your friend.

Also consider a hydraulic top link. It will prevent years of frustration and allow any land engagement implement to be used to the maximum. It also make learning come much faster and easier.