A little blade action today ............ well not snow blade

[Wild Bill in VA 1,452]

But grader blade. A neighbor asked me to trim up their gravel driveway up to the garage as there was a bug hump on one side and a large crater on the other side leading up to the garage door. He said, "you're the only person around with equipment to do that kind of job" and since I brought my Dad's B-80 back down from Pennsylvania and need to test it out I told him OK I will do it. This morning the 36-inch mower deck had to be removed and the grader blade installed, well the mower deck came right off and just how hard could it be to mount the grader blade? About 2 hours later the grader blade was finally mounted, it seems the rear attachment bracket was bent and around .020 too narrow for the support bar of the grader blade to go into the channel of the bracket. It took a floor jack, a large screwdriver pry bar and of course a hammer to the support bar to get seated in place so the locks could swing into place. I never did find the correct lift link for the grader blade and if I took the time to find it, I would have had to use the B-80's head lights to finish the job! I used a longer lift link that help with down pressure to cut with but only lifted the blade about 1-3/4 of an inch high and made it difficult to spread the gravel/dirt mix. There was a marker stone at the end of the driveway and every time the blade made contact with it stopped the B-80 in its tracks. Anybody who has worked with a Wheel Horse grader blade whether it's a mid-mount or rear mounted version know these blades are tough ..... they don't twist over like a snowblade! Uh yeah, this ain't the first time I have snagged a grader blade on something. The neighbor was happy with the job and the B-80 was treated to pressure wash. I was surprised on how well the B-80 looked after pressure wash too since I don't think it has ever been cleaned before. It is also amazing how well the 8 hp Kohler performed as the engine had no problem moving clumps of gravel and dirt. All in all, it was good to get some seat time in on a 70-degree day!

Wild Bill in Richmond VA

[8ntruck 7,014]

That a Buick in the background?

[Wild Bill in VA 1,452]

9 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

That a Buick in the background?

Yes, that's my 1962 Buick 225 Sport Coupe. Looks stock ....... but it ain't!

Wild Bill in Richmond VA

[ebinmaine 67,562]

11 hours ago, Wild Bill in VA said:

amazing how well the 8 hp Kohler performed as the engine had no problem moving clumps of gravel and dirt

Not the least bit surprising to me (or Trina) considering she's how our own driveway is maintained. 

867 with a mid mount grader blade.  

Works Excellent. 

 

 

[8ntruck 7,014]

10 hours ago, Wild Bill in VA said:

Yes, that's my 1962 Buick 225 Sport Coupe. Looks stock ....... but it ain't!

Wild Bill in Richmond VA

Powered by a nailhead?

[Wild Bill in VA 1,452]

55 minutes ago, 8ntruck said:

Powered by a nailhead?

The original 401 Nailhead but added a Joe Hunt electronic ignition, Sanderson headers and a fully worked turbo 400 with a 275 to1 first gear. I also have a factory 2 x 4 carb and manifold for it. Just like the Wheel Horse Unidrive it's all in the gears.

Wild Bill in Richmond VA

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,318]

Grader work eh?? I just assumed all your machines were show rigs 

[WHGuy413 2,693]

I had fun with a grader blade once. Borrowed it from my buddy. Definitely could use one of my own some day. But then again we have a fancy laser guided one at work to go on our skid steer that I can borrow any time. Just a little big for most projects here at the homestead.