Viewing and commenting from the operator perspective is most helpful for the new tractor owner.. the commentary on sounds and the feel of the machine is also something missing on other videos.. Like you say- this video is aimed at the novice... and is an excellent example of how a tutorial should be done... Well Done!
Great instructional video! I have a 1300 ft gravel driveway and maintain it with a Kubota compact tractor. I have a box and angle blades and a landscape rake. I know what I want to do but sometimes struggle to make it happen with the tractor. Love the in depth commentary.
Best educational video I have watched for using a box blade correctly. I also see where a hydraulic top link would come in mighty handy. Personally, I think this project would have been easier if you also had a rear blade in your arsenal. Keep the great videos coming!!
My driveway is a third the length of yours. House is on a high, drive contoured and curve uphill in a stretched z 50 feet. Or a backwards s. Whatever. A downpour will start a cut across the driveway. Your description of trying to visualize our goals, on top of the basics of the operation of the implement/tractor; the tactile elements of feels and sounds; the allowable maximum distance to extend the blade while still maintaining grade. how to create a sheet flow across the driveway instead of channeling, all while maintaining proper drainage above and below. Integrating the transitions of the driveway into the surrounding grade, fall of the land, from crowning to as best as I can describe it, high siding and then back to crowning. Now it's getting me to be able to make the machine do it. Thanks for the lessons. Lessons, because you tried to explain every step more than one time and in several different ways. One of them might have sinked in.
Value! Thank you for the videos as a new tractor owner and having a heart interest in land development around my area. Thank you! Liked and subscribed!!!
I've been watching your videos for a while now. I get compliments all the time about my tractor work gravel driveways and grading. I just want you to know I am quite the rookie, I have learned and practiced a lot of your content I think you are great at explaining the dos and don't s of the business. I pretty much learned everything I know from watching your videos and just jumping on the tractor and doing it. I realy believe you have helped a lot of people. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to sharing your knowledge with so many people. Keep it up.
Just putting my thought in I own a landscape company been open 5 or so yrs. Depending on your experience but I would start out with easy jobs like drainage , French drains , doing garage pads or stick frame , just have a way to move material off site if need be dump trailer ect. Hope helps some . Another easy one is septic systems depending on your location that is. Hope the best and wish you luck.
@@TheBradhanna my plan was to start off doing drainage and utilities trenches, small land clearing and maybe some small demo jobs. Everyone I’ve spoke to says go for it, worse you can do is fail and said you tried. Thank you for your response brother, I appreciate it.
Feel free to email us at tkindy.slm@gmail.com to set up a consultation. We can talk about your skill set, location and such to determine what would be best!
I'm sure glad you posted this video it was a good reminder on how to fine tune the blade to make it do what you want. I just pulled the trigger on a kubota l3901 to start my own little business. your videos on shaping a driveway are hands down the best in footage of what the blade is doin and your explanation what you want it to do.
The question that's been the bane of my driveway box blading experience (which is about 2 months) is, how in the world do you get rid of the dips and bumps when the dang blade moves up and down with the tractor which moves up and down with the dips and bumps?? Then with one very unassuming, innocent sounding sentence, the clouds opened up, my weary eyes saw a flash of light and I felt the warm, calming blanket of wisdom gently cover me.. "If your ground is super uneven, you've actually got to cut going backwards so that you can cut the highs and lows out." This needs to be shouted from the rooftops because I'd bet my last tube of grease it's a major frustration for many newbies besides myself. 😂🤣 Edit: VALUE!! 😁👍
Lots of value my friend. I worked on a strip coal mining for over 20 years and got to run a 16 Caterpillar grader and I was trained just like you are teaching here. Thanks Todd for sharing these informative videos. A lot to learn here if you want to learn how to crown a road.
Amazing I’ve got a quarter mile long driveway thats just been turning into mud. I’ve been trying to find good videos for years on how to grade and create drainage on the side of the road. You’re the first channel that’s really help me to understand how it needs to be done properly. Thank you and keep the great videos coming
how would you do that if the road were 2 lanes wide? do you have to reduce the cutting angle in the middle of the road and make it more aggressive on the ditch side? and if so would you work out from the middle or in from the ditch? Thank you!
Absolutely most definitely going to. I appreciate the craftsmanship you put into your work, how you take the time to explain and break things down to show people how to correctly and meticulously construct a grade. Learned a lot and enjoy watching your videos, you make a great teacher. Proud to be a subscriber of your channel.
Value! I knew I would like this video when I realized you name all of your vehicles. I love my box blade, and enjoy getting more proficient each time I use it (still a rookie). Your video was super helpful with taking me to the next level of "unlevelness". Seems that my crowns aren't as crowned as they should be because I'm not keeping the tractor "on-grade" well enough when forming my crown (a duh moment). Keep the tractor level with your desired grade while taking smaller bites, is one lesson I took from this video. Doing a better job of "feeling and listening" to my work is another. Still pondering how you can be doing this work (backwards), animating the camera perspective, and not driving off the cliff or destroying the flower bed. I guess experience is the answer. Thanks for your shared knowledge, I'll be checking out some of your other videos!
Value in spades! Amazing video, your techniques are impressively honed and you are an excellent teacher. Thanks for taking the time to impart your wisdom Todd!
Good video. I have an 8 ft hydraulic three point hitch grader blade that I use for driveways. It works Awesome. I have an 8 ft box blade but rarely ever use it because of the grader blade. Keep showing me the videos friend. 🙋
Excellent video, thanks to your narration. Without your commentary, given the length of the video, it could be deadly. But you keep us involved and interested. It’s obvious you know your subject and you have a marvelous way of communicating it. I wonder how many people who want to get into the business are inspired by your teaching. From the way your channel is growing I would say quite a few. In the final analysis, these machines cost money and to get the most out of them, a good how-to video is necessary. That’s what you provide. If I were going into the business you’d better believe I would be closely watching your videos and taking notes, because there’s a big difference between doing something and doing it right.
I am. Just got bought a tractor of my own and started my own business as well a month ago and his videos inspired me to go for it. I'm an operator by nature and many have given me the controls to do the work for them just due to my experience plus know how on operating plus my confidence in my work. Big thumbs up here and a big thanks to you Todd for giving me the confidence to chase my dreams. 25 years old, have my own business and moving up in the world. 2 years ago I was a severe alcoholic and did my time, learned from my mistakes and changed my life and now marrying my lovely wife-to-be in November and got a head start on my own business doing what I love. Life is pretty dang good right now. So in all-a-do, Thanks and we'll said.
This is where it all started for me, understand driveway work, grading, usage of excavator, etc... you sir started this obsession for me with these type of videos. Thanks for teaching and sharing your wealth of knowledge!
I watched this video a number of times before I jumped on my 2501 and got at it. I've only got a 5 ft Hardee BB but I managed to get the job done. I should have video taped it and sent it to you so you could see the complete opposite end of the spectrum. I appreciate the videos and commentary. I especially like when you say what not to do, it keeps me from making those mistakes and understanding why they're mistakes. Hail DigginLife21
Excellent tutorial, I disagree with your title of "grading basics", this was more of a "doctoral thesis" of driveway grading, not a Bubba slinging a load of stone. Great description of the box blade, the different tools it consists of and how to achieve your desired outcome. Maybe a camera shot of the bottom side of the cutting edges so people new to the box blade can get a visual of by adjusting the top link you can mimic a grader cutting or a dozer back dragging in either direction. I ordered my new E.A. 96", 125 HP box blade with the 8" Viper cutting edge and the large shanks yesterday, yikes... 4K. A little sticker shock considering my last one was a 6' Kodiak, but this'll be the last one I ever need to buy. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction for this beast, now the wait, things are a bit backed up at the present time. Great job on the driveway, looking forward to the finished product.
High "VALUE"! It's so awesome that your are doing these. I worked summers with my grandfaher who did it all. Roads, pads, septic systems ect. unfortunaly he retired when i was 12. Did not realaize how interested I was in his work. I've had small trasctors for 20 years. Now at 57 I bought my first backhoe and am enjoying learing how to use it to it's fullest and already have tackled a few paying jobs with it. Keep up the good work!
Those 425s will make it a little stiffer to steer i put 385 on ny kenworth made it a little easier i owned 3 macks if you buy anything from mack its high dollar you can get stuff a little cheaper if you buy aftermarket most of the stuff is just as good.
Hey! I appreciate your knowledge gained. And your willingness to share with others. Seems like it could be exhausting. Never the less. Thanks and God bless ya!
I've got about 500m of gravel driveway in South Western Australia, I've been considering a grader scraper with the two angled cutting blades do you have any comment comparing this implement and the box blade? I don't have a hydraulic top link.
Definitely a lot a value in this Todd. Appreciate your tutorials. I just always hated the idea of continually having to look backwards when using a box blade. Me personally I think I would opt for a grading attachment on a skid steer so I’m not looking backwards(physical limitations from being hit by a drunk driver). Not sure if you have used one or know if one method is better than the other?
I echo all the positive comments below and thank you for taking time to help others. While your skill level would not require it, I was wondering what thoughts you might have about us mere mortal box blade handlers installing hydraulic gauge wheels immediately behind the box.
Viewing and commenting from the operator perspective is most helpful for the new tractor owner.. the commentary on sounds and the feel of the machine is also something missing on other videos..
Like you say- this video is aimed at the novice... and is an excellent example of how a tutorial should be done... Well Done!
Great instructional video! I have a 1300 ft gravel driveway and maintain it with a Kubota compact tractor. I have a box and angle blades and a landscape rake. I know what I want to do but sometimes struggle to make it happen with the tractor. Love the in depth commentary.
Best educational video I have watched for using a box blade correctly. I also see where a hydraulic top link would come in mighty handy. Personally, I think this project would have been easier if you also had a rear blade in your arsenal. Keep the great videos coming!!
My driveway is a third the length of yours. House is on a high, drive contoured and curve uphill in a stretched z 50 feet. Or a backwards s. Whatever.
A downpour will start a cut across the driveway.
Your description of trying to visualize our goals, on top of the basics of the operation of the implement/tractor; the tactile elements of feels and sounds; the allowable maximum distance to extend the blade while still maintaining grade. how to create a sheet flow across the driveway instead of channeling, all while maintaining proper drainage above and below.
Integrating the transitions of the driveway into the surrounding grade, fall of the land, from crowning to as best as I can describe it, high siding and then back to crowning.
Now it's getting me to be able to make the machine do it.
Thanks for the lessons.
Lessons, because you tried to explain every step more than one time and in several different ways. One of them might have sinked in.
Value! Thank you for the videos as a new tractor owner and having a heart interest in land development around my area. Thank you! Liked and subscribed!!!
Value, absolutely! Thanks for taking the time and effort to make this video.
Thanks for the in depth explaining you do. Great job!
Great value! I feel like I'm always learning something from your videos.
6 min into this “grading basics” video I have learned nothing about grading but I am an expert on this guys second truck.
So much value in all your videos!
Lots of value!
Learned a lot thanks for explaining it step by step.
Great video with valuable insight
Value 👍
Thanks, I found Value in this.
Great to hear David!!! Thanks for watching🙏🏻
Very much value! Thank you brother
Absolutely valuable!
Great value for sure, great video
I'm telling you if you get a power rake Holly makes them I'm telling you you will love it
I’m sure I’ll get one for my skidsteer one day
given you have a culvert, why choose crowned versus insloped for your drainage? just relieving water pressure on the edge of the road?
Excellent tutorial, thanks! But for your sake, could you keep the money rolling in and spend a bit on an air suspension seat for the truck?
I've been watching your videos for a while now. I get compliments all the time about my tractor work gravel driveways and grading. I just want you to know I am quite the rookie, I have learned and practiced a lot of your content I think you are great at explaining the dos and don't s of the business. I pretty much learned everything I know from watching your videos and just jumping on the tractor and doing it. I realy believe you have helped a lot of people. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to sharing your knowledge with so many people. Keep it up.
Thanks for the kind words Destry🙏🏻
Great Value !
Great value. Thanks
Value- thank you
How many hp is your tractor and the length of your box blade? Is 8’ to long for most driveways?
I wonder how much it would cost to add an air ride seat to the F-750...
value
Value.
Hey man, I’m looking to start my own business with a mini excavator. Any advice on the type of work I should be looking to take on ?
Just putting my thought in I own a landscape company been open 5 or so yrs. Depending on your experience but I would start out with easy jobs like drainage , French drains , doing garage pads or stick frame , just have a way to move material off site if need be dump trailer ect. Hope helps some . Another easy one is septic systems depending on your location that is. Hope the best and wish you luck.
@@TheBradhanna my plan was to start off doing drainage and utilities trenches, small land clearing and maybe some small demo jobs. Everyone I’ve spoke to says go for it, worse you can do is fail and said you tried. Thank you for your response brother, I appreciate it.
Feel free to email us at tkindy.slm@gmail.com to set up a consultation. We can talk about your skill set, location and such to determine what would be best!
What kind of box blade is that.
Just a tractor supply brand I believe
Value
I'm sure glad you posted this video it was a good reminder on how to fine tune the blade to make it do what you want. I just pulled the trigger on a kubota l3901 to start my own little business. your videos on shaping a driveway are hands down the best in footage of what the blade is doin and your explanation what you want it to do.
Value
The question that's been the bane of my driveway box blading experience (which is about 2 months) is, how in the world do you get rid of the dips and bumps when the dang blade moves up and down with the tractor which moves up and down with the dips and bumps?? Then with one very unassuming, innocent sounding sentence, the clouds opened up, my weary eyes saw a flash of light and I felt the warm, calming blanket of wisdom gently cover me.. "If your ground is super uneven, you've actually got to cut going backwards so that you can cut the highs and lows out." This needs to be shouted from the rooftops because I'd bet my last tube of grease it's a major frustration for many newbies besides myself. 😂🤣
Edit: VALUE!! 😁👍
Lol. Glad to help
Lots of value my friend. I worked on a strip coal mining for over 20 years and got to run a 16 Caterpillar grader and I was trained just like you are teaching here. Thanks Todd for sharing these informative videos. A lot to learn here if you want to learn how to crown a road.
Amazing
I’ve got a quarter mile long driveway thats just been turning into mud. I’ve been trying to find good videos for years on how to grade and create drainage on the side of the road. You’re the first channel that’s really help me to understand how it needs to be done properly.
Thank you and keep the great videos coming
Glad you found it helpful!!! There will be plenty more future videos
outstanding value. once you install hydraulic tilt, make a new video on that to illustrate the advantage and how to use it.
how would you do that if the road were 2 lanes wide? do you have to reduce the cutting angle in the middle of the road and make it more aggressive on the ditch side? and if so would you work out from the middle or in from the ditch? Thank you!
Angie would be the same. It depends where the material needs to go as far as where I start from
Been binge watching all your videos! Losing a lot of sleep just to watch ha! Love all the videos. Thank you!
Some of the best box blading skills I’ve ever see Todd very impressive.
High value, learned a lot from this video. I’ve always loved running equipment, even looking to get into a business for myself.
Glad it was helpful! I say go for it Wyatt!!!
Absolutely most definitely going to. I appreciate the craftsmanship you put into your work, how you take the time to explain and break things down to show people how to correctly and meticulously construct a grade. Learned a lot and enjoy watching your videos, you make a great teacher. Proud to be a subscriber of your channel.
anyone with a box blade will learn something ftrom this thank you
Value!
I knew I would like this video when I realized you name all of your vehicles.
I love my box blade, and enjoy getting more proficient each time I use it (still a rookie). Your video was super helpful with taking me to the next level of "unlevelness". Seems that my crowns aren't as crowned as they should be because I'm not keeping the tractor "on-grade" well enough when forming my crown (a duh moment). Keep the tractor level with your desired grade while taking smaller bites, is one lesson I took from this video. Doing a better job of "feeling and listening" to my work is another.
Still pondering how you can be doing this work (backwards), animating the camera perspective, and not driving off the cliff or destroying the flower bed. I guess experience is the answer.
Thanks for your shared knowledge, I'll be checking out some of your other videos!
Glad you enjoyed it Keutz!!! It takes a lot of practice and occasionally editing out the flower bed carnage🤪
Value in spades! Amazing video, your techniques are impressively honed and you are an excellent teacher. Thanks for taking the time to impart your wisdom Todd!
Todd a Mack is like a Harley break out the $100 bills every time you want 2 buy something . Keep up all the good videos
Good video. I have an 8 ft hydraulic three point hitch grader blade that I use for driveways. It works Awesome. I have an 8 ft box blade but rarely ever use it because of the grader blade. Keep showing me the videos friend. 🙋
Seems like a lot of dicking around. I would put depth gauge wheels on it and tilt your top Link out so you in effect are back blading
Excellent video, thanks to your narration. Without your commentary, given the length of the video, it could be deadly. But you keep us involved and interested. It’s obvious you know your subject and you have a marvelous way of communicating it. I wonder how many people who want to get into the business are inspired by your teaching. From the way your channel is growing I would say quite a few. In the final analysis, these machines cost money and to get the most out of them, a good how-to video is necessary. That’s what you provide. If I were going into the business you’d better believe I would be closely watching your videos and taking notes, because there’s a big difference between doing something and doing it right.
I am. Just got bought a tractor of my own and started my own business as well a month ago and his videos inspired me to go for it. I'm an operator by nature and many have given me the controls to do the work for them just due to my experience plus know how on operating plus my confidence in my work. Big thumbs up here and a big thanks to you Todd for giving me the confidence to chase my dreams. 25 years old, have my own business and moving up in the world. 2 years ago I was a severe alcoholic and did my time, learned from my mistakes and changed my life and now marrying my lovely wife-to-be in November and got a head start on my own business doing what I love. Life is pretty dang good right now. So in all-a-do, Thanks and we'll said.
Value heck this is why I started watching and then subscribed. Great content well explained. And I hope to start my own business like this soon.
Value for sure will have to watch more but I like it ! Best dirt man I know
This is where it all started for me, understand driveway work, grading, usage of excavator, etc... you sir started this obsession for me with these type of videos. Thanks for teaching and sharing your wealth of knowledge!
I watched this video a number of times before I jumped on my 2501 and got at it. I've only got a 5 ft Hardee BB but I managed to get the job done. I should have video taped it and sent it to you so you could see the complete opposite end of the spectrum. I appreciate the videos and commentary. I especially like when you say what not to do, it keeps me from making those mistakes and understanding why they're mistakes. Hail DigginLife21
Excellent tutorial, I disagree with your title of "grading basics", this was more of a "doctoral thesis" of driveway grading, not a Bubba slinging a load of stone. Great description of the box blade, the different tools it consists of and how to achieve your desired outcome. Maybe a camera shot of the bottom side of the cutting edges so people new to the box blade can get a visual of by adjusting the top link you can mimic a grader cutting or a dozer back dragging in either direction. I ordered my new E.A. 96", 125 HP box blade with the 8" Viper cutting edge and the large shanks yesterday, yikes... 4K. A little sticker shock considering my last one was a 6' Kodiak, but this'll be the last one I ever need to buy. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction for this beast, now the wait, things are a bit backed up at the present time. Great job on the driveway, looking forward to the finished product.
Absolute value. The best teaching channel ever! Thank you
Wow, thank you!
High "VALUE"! It's so awesome that your are doing these. I worked summers with my grandfaher who did it all. Roads, pads, septic systems ect. unfortunaly he retired when i was 12. Did not realaize how interested I was in his work. I've had small trasctors for 20 years. Now at 57 I bought my first backhoe and am enjoying learing how to use it to it's fullest and already have tackled a few paying jobs with it.
Keep up the good work!
Those 425s will make it a little stiffer to steer i put 385 on ny kenworth made it a little easier i owned 3 macks if you buy anything from mack its high dollar you can get stuff a little cheaper if you buy aftermarket most of the stuff is just as good.
Hey! I appreciate your knowledge gained. And your willingness to share with others. Seems like it could be exhausting. Never the less. Thanks and God bless ya!
There is no way that job should take so many passes to complete. You are just trying to make a longer video for UA-cam.
Get it done already!
I injoyed the heck out of this video, you are an excellent teacher and spend the time going into much detail, you are awesome
Just bought 40 acres with 1/2 mile long driveway. Going to be needing a lot of instructional videos to keep that thing smooth.
Now more sure than ever that I’m getting rear remote for side and top link. Try of crawling on and off the tractor at my age.
Value, keep them coming for us new/inexperienced people.
Another great video, after watching this I definitely need a hydraulic top link
BROTHER YOU ARE THE GOAT! 🤣 AMAZING JOB AND YOU MAKE IT LOOK SUPER EASY! 💯
If it takes you 67 minutes to explain this video you better try a different profession.
Gotta spend money to make money buddy. Keep up the good work 👍
Great content! Detailed commentary and video.
Want what am awesome job you did explaining this I've never done this but I wanna do my own drive what🎉
52:20 52:21 52:23
Thank you and best of luck!!! Have fun and take your time
That looks good from here , a lot of helpful value 😀
Great work as always Todd and I am looking forward to seeing part 2 of this particular project.
Good stuff my friend! VALUE here!!
I've got about 500m of gravel driveway in South Western Australia, I've been considering a grader scraper with the two angled cutting blades do you have any comment comparing this implement and the box blade? I don't have a hydraulic top link.
If you have a lot of potholes box blade is better at moving material. Washboarding is easy with both. Crowning is easier with a scrape blade
wandering what your thoughts are on LAND LEVELER Keep up the great videos!
I’ve never used one
Definitely a lot a value in this Todd. Appreciate your tutorials. I just always hated the idea of continually having to look backwards when using a box blade. Me personally I think I would opt for a grading attachment on a skid steer so I’m not looking backwards(physical limitations from being hit by a drunk driver). Not sure if you have used one or know if one method is better than the other?
Skidsteer is definitely easier on the neck
I'm learning a lot so keep the videos coming
Not sure. They gonna hook me up with a doc soon.
I would love too see you get a skip loader.
Lots of value, brother. Keep it up!
I value everything from you your great 👍
Value
I love doing driveways
It’s like Icing a Cake 🎂😁
value overload !... i hope the ppl new to the business is taking advantage of your teachings..thumbs up my friend !
I hope so too
Definitely got value!
Thank you
VALUE. And lots of it my friend!
Driveway University. 🚜
Value. I'd really like to get a hydraulically adjustable too link soon though!
Me too red!!!
Where is your service area? There is no information for location or to contact your business in description. Thanks
We currently serve Western NC. You can find our business on Facebook. Southeastern Land Specialists, LLC
Value
Value
Very helpful, thank you!
Really helps thanks for the content
Value
Value
Big value. Watched it all, and backed it up several time :D
Glad it helped Adam!
I echo all the positive comments below and thank you for taking time to help others. While your skill level would not require it, I was wondering what thoughts you might have about us mere mortal box blade handlers installing hydraulic gauge wheels immediately behind the box.
Thanks Brad🙏🏻. I think wheels would be an excellent upgrade
@@DigginLife21 great I am just finishing some up and will show you a pic when complete
I may have to watch a few more times
Really excited to upmy own box grader,
👍👍👍
Value, I'm learning a lot
value - thanks
do you still have the L9000?I am looking for one to buy
Nah we sold it already