3-Pt. Blade Works Like A Mini Road Grader

3-Pt Blade Works Like A Mini Road Grader MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Earth Movers One problem with using a conventional 3-pt mounted blade is that it can be difficult to control depth For example if the tractor’s front wheels go over a bump the blade will dive into the ground If the wheels drop into a hole the blade will lift and accidentally dump its load        Timothy Hoopman of River Falls Wis solved the problem by coming up with a 2-wheeled triangle-shaped attachment that makes his 3-pt mounted blade work more like a road grader He pulls the 6-ft blade behind his Massey Ferguson 1020 compact tractor     “I use it to level my driveway and for general landscaping work ” says Hoopman     First he replaced the tractor’s standard 3-pt top link with a hinged top link This link becomes slack and nonfunctional while the blade is in contact with the ground allowing the blade to float When the hitch is lifted the top link becomes taut and lifts the blade     The attachment includes a pair of 10-in dia caster wheels attached to a 4-ft length of 5-in channel iron that pins on back of the blade’s frame A tubular metal arm pins onto the top of the channel iron and runs diagonally up to a pin that Hoopman added to the top back side of the blade’s 3-pt mounting bracket It forms a rigid triangular structure that carries some of the blade’s weight     The tractor’s lift arms also carry some of the blade’s weight and set the depth of cut The attachment’s wheels carry the rest of the blade’s weight because the top link is slack     “It works on the same principle as a road grader ” says Hoopman “Road graders keep the surface smooth because their blade is located about half way between the machine’s front and rear wheels This reduces how much the blade goes up or down as the wheels go over rough terrain ”     The length of the attachment’s top arm is adjustable similar to a top link When the blade is positioned diagonally the length of the top arm will determine if the leading or trailing end of the blade digs deeper     The attachment can be pinned in a raised position to allow full 360 degree rotation of the blade and for storage He can remove the attachment for storage by removing 2 pins - one from the channel iron arm where it attaches to the blade’s frame and the other from near the top of the 3-pt     “I think this same design would also work on a bigger blade and tractor ” notes Hoopman     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Timothy Hoopman 179 State Road 65 River Falls Wis 54022 ph 715 425-2796; hoopmaneng@pressenter com

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