I made a land plane....sort of

[Paul Allwood]

I wanted to make something that would help smooth out the soil that I've been loosening with the ripper and roto tiller, and smooth out some bumpy bits that have been there forever.

The aims were:
- Use only scrap, don't buy anything new
- It has to be able to float to follow the contour and not need me to control the height with the 3 point link
- It has to be able to be picked up with the 3 point linkage so I could stop it dragging over bits I don't want to grade, or reverse it

I don't know much (anything) about land planes, so maybe these are already standard features ???

Here's some pics of what I've come up with so far - it's not pretty, but it works.



Lower links are 1/" bolts in 7/8" holes to allow plenty of movement in any direction.



Plenty of articulation left or right to follow the contours.





The chain allowed the rest to lift if required.



Well no adjustment to the lower links or the chain it can be picked up with the 3 point to drive around the yard without dragging it.





When I tried it this afternoon it worked pretty well but a few times the back end lifted as the front hit high spots. Tomorrow I'll add this piece of railway iron somewhere towards the back to help stop this happening.



Overall - pretty happy so far. And all done using scraps and leftovers from other things.

I may need to beef up the angle at the bottom front, or add a second piece....need to wait for the right bit of scrap to appear.

I also have a piece of 2" square welded mesh that I may add to the base. That was the original plan. Maybe I'll tack it on to see what it does.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Looks nice!

I was thinking the bottom looks a little “anemic” as well.

If that “mesh” is what I am thinking of, that might strengthen it up considerably.


My neighbor has got a scrap piece of “rock sorter screen” from the local quarry and drags that around.

He lets me use it…..It’s pretty heavy duty “screen” and it does a good job of smoothing out my gravel drive.

 

[Paul Allwood]

Looks nice!

I was thinking the bottom looks a little “anemic” as well.

If that “mesh” is what I am thinking of, that might strengthen it up considerably.


My neighbor has got a scrap piece of “rock sorter screen” from the local quarry and drags that around.

He lets me use it…..It’s pretty heavy duty “screen” and it does a good job of smoothing out my gravel drive.

Haha - for now I'm only smoothing dirt, so it might survive until my scrap pile looks a little less anaemic.

 

[chim]

Looks pretty good. We made one at work and welded flat bar to the bottom of the angle to make it into a triangle. That added strength.

I'd add another set of attachment points to either the front or bottom of that front tube. Coming off the top like that makes it very aggressive and is why it wants to raise up in the back.

Another taller piece in the back would help distribute spoils.

 

[skeets]

As I understand it, old bed frames are pretty tough if you need something on the back to smooth out the rocks

 

[D2Cat]

How about putting the RR iron in front of the square tubing going across the back. Maybe weld ears on each end and then bolt to the rail, but build it so it can move/roll if needed. Then you have additional weight and another grader blade.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Your budget fabrication is excellent!

You really don't need the flexible links on the front sides or the chain.
The three point even with the quick hitch will articulate side to side, and float with the skis on the sides.
And a fixed top length serves 2 purposes, allows for lift, and it keeps the front from walking under and raising the back.
Also having a fixed top link gives you the ability to adjust the attack of the front blade and the dig of the skis on soft ground.
Angle your cutting blade and add a second blade.