Rear Blade Concept #1

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,602]

I want to build me a rear blade so I made a conceptual design. It's in the early stages now, but this concept will allow the blade to pivot 30 degrees from center either way and will be adjustable in height from the hitch. No dimensions yet and I'm still working out some details.

Attached File ( Number of downloads: 204 )

rear_blade_sht2.pdf

[Rollerman 290]

Terry I had a Brinly rear blade pretty much just like that for years.

Sold it last fall because I never really used it.

I think it was 40" wide & really didn't have enough weight to be effective without down pressure.

That said build one a little wider (40" is to narrow) & a little more weight a rear blade would be pretty handy...especially if you have a GT with down pressure on the rear lift.

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,602]

Thanks, Stephen. I have been wondering about the down pressure and the effectiveness of a rear blade. So I decided to build one instead of wasting money on buying one (though I might find one cheaper than I can build one - but I do know where I can get most of the material). I might try and find a front blade to use for this project.

[IthacaJeff 151]

Terry:

Cool graphics for sure, but out of experience I'd add three things based on

my own attempt to build a grader blade. First, as the other post said, you'll

need someplace to add weight. Second, being able to change the pitch of

the blade would make it more useful in either scraping or leveling. Last,

consider the cutting edge. On hardpack, like my packed down gravel driveway,

my home-built scraper just skated along the top. Having a removable cutting

edge with different edges -- like a serrated edge or spiked -- might make the

blade more versatile.

Nothin' like a bit more work!

Jeff in Ithaca

[sorekiwi 761]

I'll be following this build with interest, as I really need to get around to building a rear blade or a grader blade.

I've always admired the simplicity of the Brinley blade that is a similar design to yours.

The subject of down pressure has always stumped me too. The trouble with weight on a rear blade is that you have to pick it up with the hitch! That is one advantage of the grader blade - you can stand on it to add some weight and get off it to lift it!! My 160 lbs probably isnt enough though...

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,602]

Good suggestions.

On the pitch, I have a slot on the sleeve hitch where it attaches to the tube - that will allow some adjustment. I can see if I can get something near the blade itself to allow more and easier adjustment.

Weight will be an issue, unless I use this with my hydraulic lift tractor. Keeping the blade light will help in lifting it, but hurt it in functionality. Catch-22.

On the cutting edge, I wanted to have a removable cutting edge. Hard steel for dirt and gravel, rubber for asphalt and concrete, and adding a spike or rake type can be done also. I'll look into this more.

Like I said it's in the conceptual stage now and all suggestions will be consider. I don't mind borrowing ideas from others, when they're good (I hope I can tell the difference in good ones and bad ones).

BTW, I'm using Brinly's design, somewhat. I like the idea of being able to pivot the blade from the seat. In theory it should work - it's the real life situations that will determine how good a design it is.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

I too will be keeping an eye on this project.

Keep up the good work!

"Necessity is the mother of invention!"

[KC9KAS 4,744]

I too will be keeping an eye on this project.

Keep up the good work!

"Necessity is the mother of invention!"

[rickv1957 74]

Terry,good luck with your blade build,Rick

[Iggy68 28]

Terry,

What type of ground material are you looking to use the blade for? If it is gravel a box grader might be a better choice. If the blade is what you really want you might want to design in a rotation for elevation. If you want to level off a slope it is difficult without that feature. Just a thought.

[876wheelhorse 46]

i might have to build one of these too. i am going to build a grader blade now and by the looks of it one of these too.

[mavfreak 11]

I have biult a rear blade. I also made a 3 point hitch to raise and lower iy. I use a front toro blade I had laying around. I used the origanl piovit that I can ajust from seated postion. It wrks very well and weight is an issue can only lift around 90lbs with the manual lift. I have turn buckles that I use to ajust the pitch.

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[mavfreak 11]

i have more pictures of this I just don't know how to post them all. Anyway this only took me a couple of days to build I didn't make any plans or dawliings I just started making it with a few mesurements. I just push on lifting arm tor downward pressure. I started off with a cable but then I made a rod to use for lifting. its only 1/4 inch and it looks as thou the threads may be pulling off so the rod may not work out. this is all trial and error.

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[mavfreak 11]

here is another look at it

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