Grading bucket vs Dirt bucket

[xtreem3d]

afternoon guys,
just got done spreading 200 tons of 3/4 minus at a mfg plant . it was to fill holes and get the lot smooth for tractor trailers. when i get these grading jobs they always turn out looking good but i think i should be able to go faster and do better. on this particular lot i did something different in that i scooped rock and spread it throughout the lot , then went back with my bucket about half full of rock and kept it flat to the surface going froward and backward and that seemed to be the best way i have done it so far. when going forward i found if i slightly curled the edge up it didn't gouge(sp). i don't have a cutting edge on the back of my bucket but it worked in loose gravel. I also seem to think grading went better when the bucket had weight in it. i'd like to know if you guys who grade for a living use a skid steer grading bucket or a dirt bucket and is there a big difference in the 2? i guess i figured a bucket is a bucket?
thanks as always,
steve

 

[Ambassador of Asphalt]

Hey Steve, I spend 90% of my time grading, and try to be very meticulous about it. I've a particular bucket I use only for fine grading. (No cutting edge) The most important thing is that the whole bucket sits flat. IMO (edge to heel there's anywhere from 1/2 to 1/4 inch offset with a cutting edge) I'm a little confused with you having to curl your bucket up though. I always keep mine flat and empty to cut the little mounds off of the top and to prevent gouging. The trimming I do usually leaves me with a bit in the bucket after making a few passes. "go faster and do better"? When I'm spreading 100 to 600 ton before packing and paving, I use an 8ft steel "I" beam. Weld two hooks or eyelets two feet in from each end. Chain directly to the quick attach. Voila. Ghetto dozer blade. Hope that helps. Sean

 

[xtreem3d]

Hey Steve, I spend 90% of my time grading, and try to be very meticulous about it. I've a particular bucket I use only for fine grading. (No cutting edge) The most important thing is that the whole bucket sits flat. IMO (edge to heel there's anywhere from 1/2 to 1/4 inch offset with a cutting edge) I'm a little confused with you having to curl your bucket up though. I always keep mine flat and empty to cut the little mounds off of the top and to prevent gouging. The trimming I do usually leaves me with a bit in the bucket after making a few passes. "go faster and do better"? When I'm spreading 100 to 600 ton before packing and paving, I use an 8ft steel "I" beam. Weld two hooks or eyelets two feet in from each end. Chain directly to the quick attach. Voila. Ghetto dozer blade. Hope that helps. Sean

hi shawn,
thanks for the tips. my bucket doesn't have a cutting edge so i does sit completely flat. i did say i slightly curl up the bucket so it doesn't "dig" but i'll try leaving it flat next time. i am pretty sure that it worked better for me when i had weight in the bucket. i'd like to hear how you go about compacting your rock. i have never used a skid mounted vibratory roller because my machines aren't hi-flow so i can only achieve about 1/3 the rated centrifical force ,
steve

 

[Ambassador of Asphalt]

hi shawn,
thanks for the tips. my bucket doesn't have a cutting edge so i does sit completely flat. i did say i slightly curl up the bucket so it doesn't "dig" but i'll try leaving it flat next time. i am pretty sure that it worked better for me when i had weight in the bucket. i'd like to hear how you go about compacting your rock. i have never used a skid mounted vibratory roller because my machines aren't hi-flow so i can only achieve about 1/3 the rated centrifical force ,
steve

Wackers model, RD 11 For my particular applications nothing does a better job. It packs the base, then rolls the asphalt. Its 1 ton and close to 4000 VPM. The gravels damn near hard as concrete when were done. I also have to adhere to municipal standards sometimes. I haven't failed a compaction test yet. I'll rent three or four more if the size of the job warrants it instead of getting a larger roller. Its small and the maneuverability is great. I'm able to do the skid steer work and have my roller man work in close proximity so If some material is needed or needs to be removed, I can usually get to it before he makes his next pass. I'm the wrong guy to talk to about skid steer mounted rollers Steve. I haven't any use for them.