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Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
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Spreading Gravel

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Ryan MD

04-08-2004 10:12:54




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I have to spread some gravel on my driveway and was wondering if it was worth buying a 3pt back blade for my 8N to do the job. Does the back blade work for spreading gravel or should I forgo the $250 for a new blade and spread the gravel by hand like I have done in the past.

Thanks,
Ryan




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abjahnke

04-15-2004 00:03:19




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 Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to Ryan MD, 04-08-2004 10:12:54  
the first thing i got for my 9n was a seven foot blade, i optted for one that tilts 30 degrees on either end like a teeter totter. plus adjust to all angles around, and back-wards, i also was told to be aware of stump busting with it with the blade turned backwards , it may bread the lift arm. also good idea to use stabilizer bars to hold the blade a little more in line. it will be one of the best investments you did for that tractor. we had water standing in the yard all summer,spring, and fall. but after working the gravel, and landscaping the dirt so it go down hill. i have had no water and i have saved lots of money on a couple loads of gravel. i had put two loads on 5 years ago of class 5, but it packed so hard it was like cement. the blade also works great for snow. i had that tractor all the way up to the axle and it just kept going. so go for it. it will save in its own price, just by not having to buy it as much. just dont think its a bulldozer and try to excavate the whole country side like i did, i had the neighbors worried, i was starting toward their places. have fun. one last thing , buy a good quality blade, i also put a stop chain from the top link to the lower lift arms that way when i dropped the blade i didnt have to worry about how deep i was. especially on a gravel drive. i bought depth skids for the blade also but they only work so well in soft stuff. i have a 9n which has no draft control. have fun , its a real kick. abjahnke

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Bill Burke in Mi

04-09-2004 03:43:22




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 Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to Ryan MD, 04-08-2004 10:12:54  
I just bought a 2n and have added a 7 ft woods blade to it. I have a driveway that is 400 ft long. I am so glad that I bought it. I had ruts from 4 years of using it and now there gone. I tried to fix it by hand but the back blade did a faster and better job. One tip that others might not give you, After I was done I took the blade and spun it around for the finishing touch. I dragged it accross and the drive way looks great. Any qeustions about it give me a email.

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Fred

04-08-2004 18:22:51




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 Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to Ryan MD, 04-08-2004 10:12:54  
When you decide to get your blade, get a 7 footer. This gives you some lengh when you angle it. The Ns do fine with 7 feet.



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James

04-08-2004 13:15:31




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 Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to Ryan MD, 04-08-2004 10:12:54  
Its been my experience that a slow and patient approach to spreading base or gravel with a rear mounted blade on an "N" series tractor is most definitely required. First, as mentioned, if the dump truck driver drops ya one big pile...other then backing up to the pile with your blade up and then letting it drop to "slice" off a piece of the pile...you are gonna find that whittling the pile down to a managable size to be slow and time consuming. As an alternative I have made repeated "side swipes" at piles with a blade that extends a small distance outside the rear tires effectively swinging the blade into the pile digging one end of it into the material while doing a hard opposite side turn brake application....yeah, you're right....NOT what I would classify as a safe or smart way...but if properly done....it is effective. Ideally, if you can so specify, ask for the material to be delivered by belly dump or live-bottom truck. This will leave you with a small enough mount that the "N" series tractor can straddle the pileand you'll find it much easier to get a consistent thickness of cover without having to continual move material from one place to another with the blade. My only other comment is to make sure you get a blade that not only angles....but pivots as well. The angling will help "roll" material while the pivoting will allow you to effectively crown the road at the same time. If you find the pivoting ability adds too much to the cost of the blade though, the drawbar leveling crank on the tractor will suffice....but damn...be prepared to crank a LOT!!! And who the heck decided THAT was in a good place?? BUT....and you knew there had to be a but, right? The "N" series tractor lacks one very important ingredient for real effective material "rolling"....and thats enough weight in the front end to keep the front tires "biting" thus preventing the front end from being pushed around in the opposite direction of the roll. Ya know there'a a reason those big front tires on a maintainer lean over the way they do! hehehe....its so you can steer!!! I've tried wide tires....weights....even making the ex-wife sit on the front of the hood...and nothings seems to work. So just stick to the small bites though and the "N" will do an excellent job! Oh, and did I mention when possible...try to use the blade in like a "floating" condition.....the washboarding you prevent from the up's and down's in your driveway will be well worth the extra time. Good luck....be careful....and remember...Safety is NO accident!

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Barnstormer

04-08-2004 12:01:14




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 Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to Ryan MD, 04-08-2004 10:12:54  
I use my back blade alot. For my driveway maintenance I use my Woods 8' landscape rake (or rock rake) with it's own wheels. It makes a level surface and reaches well outside the rear tires even at an angle.
For the size of your driveway, you really need something besides a strong back and you will find other uses for it.



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Willy-N

04-08-2004 11:03:08




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 Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to Ryan MD, 04-08-2004 10:12:54  
It is more fun owning a Tractor with a Blade so you can work it instead of yourself. That way you can keep your drive nice all year and if it snows where you live you can extend the fun into the winter too! I don't know what I would do with out my back blade it saves me so much work. Both of mine are used and I got one for less than 250.00 and one came with a tractor I bought Mark H.



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rossow (mn)

04-08-2004 10:48:42




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 Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to Ryan MD, 04-08-2004 10:12:54  
I have found a back blade to be indispensable for spreading gravel. You need a good hydraulic system, because moving gravel involves a lot of lifting and lowering. The blade will be more controllable if you stiffen it up with stabilizer bars. Without them, it swings around a lot on the lift arms.



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Rick H. Ga.

04-08-2004 10:36:22




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 Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to Ryan MD, 04-08-2004 10:12:54  
Hi Ryan,

If you can, get the dump truck driver to spread the gravel as much as possible while dumping it out. It is difficult to spread an even layer of gravel from a big pile using a scrape blade. It can be done, however, but may prove to be time consuming, depending on how long your driveway is.

A 3-point back blade is a handy tool to have, especially if you have a long gravel driveway to maintain. But, if the dump truck driver is experienced enough to spread it for you, you may not need the blade.

Look at this way, you can use this situation as an excuse to buy a scrape blade. HTH. Rick H. Ga.

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souNdguy

04-08-2004 10:28:32




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 Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to Ryan MD, 04-08-2004 10:12:54  
How much gravel are we talking about? If it is more than a few yards My back would be worth the money if I had it and could spend it.

What about finding some used equipment? I bought my used box blade for 100$ on the side of the road..

Soundguy



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Ryan MD

04-08-2004 11:31:56




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 Re: Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to souNdguy, 04-08-2004 10:28:32  
Thanks for all the advise. We are talking about 2 large dump truck loads of gravel. Before that though I have to recover the piles of gravel that the snow plow guy deposited at the ends and sides of the drive way. I have done this by hand every year with a wheel barrow and shovel and it takes about 2 days. If the blade works I will get it but if it's not that effective I don't want to get it?

Thanks,
Ryan

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R.M. In AL

04-08-2004 20:05:46




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 Re: Re: Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to Ryan MD, 04-08-2004 11:31:56  
Ryan:I have both types of blades,but for driveway maint.the boxblade works much better.You can pick up the piles and move them to where you need it.Its much fun to keep your driveway smooth.I have one thats 300 ft and my sons next door is 600 ft.I do not have snow here much and I can see where the scraper blade would be better in snow.When it comes to spreading dirt or gravel the box blade is much better.jmho R.M. In AL

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souNdguy

04-08-2004 11:46:51




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 Re: Re: Re: Spreading Gravel in reply to Ryan MD, 04-08-2004 11:31:56  
Oh yeah.. 32-36 cy of gravel.. I would deffinately find a way to do that with a tractor.. whether it was grader blade, box blade or rear scoop... just something other than my back..

And they are right about the driver being able to spread the pile a bit while he is dumping. As long as it isn't his first day on the job, you should be able to get at least a long low slump.. this will be easier to spread than a 5' tall pile..

Soundguy

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