catman81056 3 #1 Posted March 18, 2008 The entrance to my drive is gravel and over time it pretty well went away. My youngest son also drives a redi-mix truck and he thought it would be a good place to put a load of wash-out. Well when it nice and dry the stuff hardens up really well but get a good rain and it turns into a mushy mess. The ruts made during rain and snow thawing is pretty bad. There was a definite crown. I want to bring in a load of 1" white rock and cover that slop up. So, I was looking at back blades because I figured I might need to loosen this stuff up while grading it down. The back blades I saw looked simple to make so thats what I did. Using their pattern and adding some of my own ideas this is what I came up with: I had to try it out and I was pleased, the crown is gone and it didn't bother the D160 one bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rollerman 290 #2 Posted March 18, 2008 Wow Tim that is impressive! I've seen some homemade ones built before...but they looked like just that. Your's looks like a heavy quality pro built one. Yep I guess I'm saying your a pro builder now. By the way what are the dimensions on that....48" wide? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catman81056 3 #3 Posted March 18, 2008 16" tall X 18" deep X 47" wide. When I first started rounding up the material I wanted to use the longest piece of 2X3 tube I had was 47". I could have used a piece of 1"x4" flat bar but it would have taken forever to mill the slots for the rippers. I used a piece of 1/2"X4" angle for the bottom blade. I just ground the front side to a dull edge. Over all the most time consuming part was drilling all the holes in the rippers. Even with power feed on the mill it took close to 3 hrs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496 #4 Posted March 18, 2008 Nice, and impressive. Great job and it does look professional. :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kj4kicks 151 #5 Posted March 18, 2008 Nice Job !! :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick 13 #6 Posted March 18, 2008 Have to join in with the others, that is an impressive looking blade. Great job on the rippers. Looks better built than a lot of the blades being sold out there. Nick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg B. 1 #7 Posted March 18, 2008 Ditto, to all of the above, Tim. I like those rippers. Greg B. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69DEZ 4 #8 Posted March 18, 2008 SWEET!!!!!!! Very nice JOB!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.5racer 14 #9 Posted March 18, 2008 Great job , I have ordered material to build one myself . What was the final weight of the blade and did you have to use front weight to lift ? Just something I was wondering about ? :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 11,895 #10 Posted March 19, 2008 Man, I like that! Tim, that is just awesome! Kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #11 Posted March 19, 2008 Looks like it should last a few years Top fabrication work Tim :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catman81056 3 #12 Posted March 19, 2008 Thanks fella's. Good words coming from the group of people we have on this site is very flattering. I appreciate it very much. I salute you. .5racer, I'm going to guess and say 125-150 lbs. I didn't have any problem lifting although it did squat alittle in the rear. Didn't seem to affect the steering when I drove up front to try it out. The rippers are 1/2"x2" flat, I just cut an angle on the ends. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
combatmp29r 27 #13 Posted March 19, 2008 Tim I meant to reply on this yesterday, but got side tracked by the kids. Excellent piece of fabrication. I can see alot of thought wentinto the design by details like the angles mounting arms, and supports fror the tool bar back to the rear of the blade. I would actually say that that is better designed and built than the 5' one we have on the farm for the same purpese. My hats off to you. :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catman81056 3 #14 Posted March 19, 2008 Thanks Joel. As you can see in the background I went ahead and tarped your tractor and Glenns plow. The engine and related parts are in the garage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
combatmp29r 27 #15 Posted March 19, 2008 Thanks Tim. I wasn't sure what all wa sunder the Tarp. I could see ablower, but new mine wasn't there yet Again you didn't have too as she's been outside a few years already, but I do appriciate it. :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
