sjoemie himself 3,068 #26 Posted September 2, 2023 Thanks. Yes indeed but I ditched the top actuator for a small tractor toplink. The actuator was too weak and I had trouble finding the right working depth again after raising the implement. The rear actuator raises and lowers the wheels (for transportation) and the rake and level bars are manually adjustable with a chain. I have pins on the frame where I can hook the chains onto, choose another chain-link to adjust the depth. The idea was to let the leveler ride on the two front wheels but it's a bit too heavy (wheels have too little flotation) for that in these extremely dry circumstances. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,821 #27 Posted September 2, 2023 On 8/23/2023 at 8:42 PM, kpinnc said: It's great for filling holes and such, but lightly smoothing just don't work. Best thing for the final grading and leveling is a mid mount blade. Good excuse for another tractor perhaps? 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,523 #28 Posted September 2, 2023 15 minutes ago, WHX?? said: Best thing for the final grading and leveling is a mid mount blade. Good REASON for another tractor perhaps? Fixed it for ya 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,662 #29 Posted September 2, 2023 (edited) I have used this on my drive. To tear out the grass that grows in it I can pick it up by hand but It's almost impossible to release with that weight on it. Edited September 2, 2023 by Lee1977 5 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,662 #30 Posted September 2, 2023 21 minutes ago, Lee1977 said: I gave Kevin a 60" road grader blade. He hasn't got around to building the mid mount yet. He's working on graders so I think it will be soon. It might have been a 6 ft. blade. I'm sure he will build something that hasn't been seen before on a Wheel Horse. That 523-H should handle it. . 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,065 #31 Posted September 3, 2023 12 hours ago, WHX?? said: Best thing for the final grading and leveling is a mid mount blade. Good excuse for another tractor perhaps? Already working on something. Why finish one project when you can start another? 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,065 #32 Posted September 3, 2023 9 hours ago, Lee1977 said: have used this on my drive. Yep that blade section you gave me is getting some stuff bolted to it... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,821 #33 Posted September 3, 2023 (edited) Not that I don't like a box blade KP. I have one for my big tractor but unfortunately not very well skilled with it. I got this Brinly back blade awhile back from @Joey Small Block and not very well skilled with it either. It works but needs down pressure which I have yet to finger out on a horse. Maybe a hydro with some weight? Tried it in tamden with a mid blade... no go. Can't adjust the lift heights independently. Edited September 3, 2023 by WHX?? 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,065 #34 Posted September 3, 2023 14 minutes ago, WHX?? said: unfortunately not very well skilled with it. There is definitely a skill level required to use it right. And I do not have it yet! Like Don said, he gave me a long grader blade a while back. I just have to make a carrier for it. The blade is very thick, and has enough weight to be very effective without down pressure. I'm hopeful it will do a better job. The box blade definitely has a use, but light grading is not it... 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,821 #35 Posted September 3, 2023 Hear tell you want a heavy blade look for a older Simplecity mid mount or back blade. 1/2 "steel. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,034 #36 Posted September 3, 2023 For final light grading a simple float works very well. You can make it whatever width you want and just drag it. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,821 #37 Posted September 3, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, JPWH said: For final light grading a simple float works very well. You can make it whatever width you want and just drag it. Back in my poor man days we drug an old wooden pallet around! These work pretty good too. Edited September 3, 2023 by WHX?? 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,523 #38 Posted September 3, 2023 46 minutes ago, WHX?? said: Back in my poor man days we drug an old wooden pallet around! These work pretty good too. Chain link fence with a few guys standing on it being towed around. OSHA approved. Almost. 😃 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,232 #39 Posted September 3, 2023 2 hours ago, ebinmaine said: OSHA approved. Almost. Office of Scary Hijinks and Adventures, right? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,508 #40 Posted September 3, 2023 I have been wanting to make one of these. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,065 #41 Posted September 4, 2023 15 hours ago, 19richie66 said: have been wanting to make one of these. Exactly what I was after in my mod on the box blade. The kicker is the fine adjustability. That's where mine suffers. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonytoro416 1,034 #42 Posted September 4, 2023 3 hours ago, kpinnc said: Exactly what I was after in my mod on the box blade. The kicker is the fine adjustability. That's where mine suffers. I recently went through this ordeal myself. I think what the guy did on dig drive diy is the ticket if using a garden tractor. The fine adjustment just isn’t there in these tractors. It’s either use a linear actuator or buy a sub compact is what I came to the conclusion of 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,662 #43 Posted September 18, 2023 (edited) Done any more on your drive way upkeep project. You know we need pictures! Need any drag hare teeth, I know where some are. Edited September 18, 2023 by Lee1977 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,065 #44 Posted September 19, 2023 11 hours ago, Lee1977 said: Done any more on your drive way upkeep project. You know we need pictures! Need any drag hare teeth, I know where some are. Not yet. The fall machine maintenance has took most of my time lately, and the zero turn chucked a starter solenoid (automotive type). Replacing it means the entire engine has to be lifted to get to it. But I have been gathering stuff for the grader. Shouldn't be long now before I get back to the project. Definitely using the blade I got from you! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,662 #45 Posted September 19, 2023 (edited) 15 minutes ago, kpinnc said: the zero turn chucked a starter solenoid (automotive type). Replacing it means the entire engine has to be lifted to get to it. If you could get the wires off I would leave it there and make an easier place to mount it. Edited September 19, 2023 by Lee1977 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,065 #46 Posted September 19, 2023 8 minutes ago, Lee1977 said: If you could get the wires off I would leave it there and make an easier place to mount it. Unfortunately not an option. Like an Onan, it's on the starter. Also less than one inch below it and beside it. I removed it without pulling the starter, but getting the plunger back in the bendix yoke upside down in such a tight spot will be difficult. I'm gonna try it, but I assume the worst... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,065 #47 Posted October 1, 2023 (edited) On 9/18/2023 at 12:40 PM, Lee1977 said: Done any more on your drive way upkeep project. You know we need pictures! Still in the "gathering" period right now. I did get the blade you gave me cut down to 58 inches. Not only is it stout, it was hard to cut- even with a 10-inch grinding wheel! Edited October 1, 2023 by kpinnc 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites