772GP operator view how to blade a road

[@jerryferrell517]

I started operating a Caterpillar 12E mechanical grader in 1977 when I was 19. Through the years I've ran all sorts of equipment but the grader is my specialty. I just retired in 2019 and after being a grader guy for 40 plus years it's still fun to watch others and their expertise. I see you use a Slope Meter too. Grade on Sir.

[@graderman140m]

Sounds like you had an awesome career of operating I started when I was 14 and learned on a 1973 cat 120 all mechanical controls it’s amazing how the equipment has changed over the years thanks for watching and enjoy your retirement.

[@a-bar-b5196]

Nice job ! You’re right about the throttle ! We have a lot of gravel here in Montana!

[@adriannettlefold9084]

Some great info there Mate. Good to see you on our side of the road too. Maybe you should practice your Aussie Slang and Accent when driving on the left side LOL!!! Good show Mark.

[@trevorfillmore698]

I wish I had nice roads like yours to grade I just got the grader position last summer and all my roads have wind rows on the side and bushes growing in them. I fine it hard I'm learning how to grade and have to fight with that i have been trying to work the wind row back into the road and try to bring a crown back without just rolling it into the ditch but its hard usually the wind row has big rock in it its taking me a lot longer to do a road supervisor isn't pushing me he sees what I'm trying to do but I can tell he would like to see the road done quicker.

[@graderman140m]

I can tell you this much it took me a couple of years to get my roads to look like they do now blading township roads just takes a lot of tile when my dad taught me he said sometimes you got to make a big mess before the road gets better.

[@trevorfillmore698]

@@graderman140m I've been told that and for many years the guys that were grading were only keeping it smooth not grading. I know I'm new and very little experience but love doing it and hopefully in time I can get a better handle on how and what to do and get my roads back thanks for confirming that I might be on the right track. Ive drove truck for the last 20 years so this is all new to me.

[@graderman140m]

@@trevorfillmore698 I will have a bunch of videos this spring on how I rework some of my roads hopefully you get a few tips on how I do it. I can tell you takes a lot of patience and time in the seat to get a good finished project.

[@trevorfillmore698]

@@graderman140m thank you I will definitely be watching I do videos as well none of grading roads but I did a video of pushing back the snow banks for spring I do a little bit of anything I do last year was mostly building our new home and moose hunting.

[@cooperwilkes7219]

Thanks for the video man

[@graderman140m]

Your welcome thanks for watching!

[@benn1851]

do you ever do a 2 pass? in our county it seems like the only way we can keep up doing all the roads is cut one way, then come back and spread your windrow. this time of year its slower so I've been doing a cutting pass on each side then spread. thanks for the videos!

[@graderman140m]

I generally just 2 pass all my roads but this time of year I like cutting the whole road and relaying it

[@benn1851]

@@graderman140m same for me

[@briangraham540]

How do you blade curves as far as cutting the low part and blading the hight or when you are losing material to the low side ? ( from Canada )

[@graderman140m]

I only have two curves on the roads I do but obviously you don’t want a crown in the curve so should be a bank like on a race track also when I go around the curve blading the bottom I articulate around the curve so machine doesn’t fall in the ditch I will do a video of how I go about it next time I’m on my route

[@jeromeherrmann478]

Can you make a video smoothing out the slope and ditches

[@graderman140m]

I did a couple of videos on that this fall check them out I believe the one is called cat 140 moving dirt thanks for watching

[@brandonpadget5515]

How do you cut your shoulders and not under cut them? Do you just hang over in the grass little bit ?

[@graderman140m]

I don’t hang my blade over the grass just run right up against the grass just have to be careful not to undercut the shoulder leaving and edge and if I do I generally hit it with the shouldering disc getting rid of the high shoulder hope that answers your questions thanks for watching.

[@Dunlap-uj5zl]

👍

[@bryanbrooks4005]

What do you do on rainy days? I know it's a slow day but do you open up trenches?

[@graderman140m]

I pretty much don’t do much on rain days if I have maintenance to do on the blades I do that but otherwise don’t do much it’s pretty much a day off for me if I don’t have anything I need to do

[@Robert-lb2zv]

Could you share information on your slope gauge, you stated your running around 4% and I see the gauge is toward your left, is that because your on that side of road? Your time is greatly appreciated, Thanks.

[@graderman140m]

So the gauge is to left because I’m on the left side of my center line building my 4% crown from the left shoulder to the centerline of the road then I build my 4% crown from centerline to the right shoulder hopefully that helps you out

[@Robert-lb2zv]

Your information and replies are really appreciated and very helpful. Thanks

[@Robert-lb2zv]

Also, the Motor Grader I use 772gp doesn’t have a mechanical slope meter like you have on your machines. My question is what meter could you recommend.

[@graderman140m]

@@Robert-lb2zv this is the one I have in my Deere machine I got it off Industrial Lev-o-Gage 9 - Glass Tube Inclinometer (Model 1112-I) www.amazon.com/dp/B0746QXNBH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_14ZGDG607ECD4F4BGC4M

[@Robert-lb2zv]

Thanks again, just ordered it from the link you provide.

[@benn1851]

how do you normally deal with frost boils in the middle?

[@graderman140m]

When it comes to frost boils i generally just leave them alone If I can help it pretty must just try and keep a good crown on them and hope they dry up

[@brandonpadget5515]

How do you know what the 4 percent would be if you don't have grade control?

[@graderman140m]

Get your self a crown gauge like I have in the front window I mounted mine in the center of the machine just park your machine on a level surface then use a hand level and zero it out then that will show you when you have 4% crown on your road here is a link to the one I have levogage.com/products/product_45936a3e-790f-e1be-8d3c-6d3d466a249c

[@brandonpadget5515]

@@graderman140m do you have a video on how to zero one out. I got one in my machine.

[@graderman140m]

@@brandonpadget5515 I will get a video of how I do it this week and post it for you

[@brandonpadget5515]

@@graderman140m thanks

[@ralphsawyer2797]

Is that the same thing as Flashing

[@graderman140m]

I am not sure what you are asking can you clarify?

[@ralphsawyer2797]

@@graderman140m they call it Blade flashing

[@graderman140m]

@@ralphsawyer2797 I gotcha I’ve never heard of that before

[@ralphsawyer2797]

@@graderman140m ok I am not sure either I am New operator and I had a company offer me a job to train me on road work saying radio flashing he called it blade flashing

[@graderman140m]

@@ralphsawyer2797 I see this video is of me doing township gravel road maintenance