FD thanks for the video, I see where where our engineering experiment went awry.:tong
We drilled and bolted metal plates with U bolts to attach the chains to the top at the center of the track. It pulls from the center of the track instead of the front like your straps. Haven't given it much thought until I saw yours and haven't tried to use it since then.
We though the weight of the track itself would be enough to keep it level but it was not. Anyway, we had a week between jobs getting permitted and I wasn't going to send my guys home with the sun shining so we went to work on that experiment in addition to general service work. Now I know what to try next time.
Oh, I love it.. "engineering".
I am going to invent a real pull drag one day soon. I have a vision of a four part drag made up of a blade like a box blade with a fold down assembly much like a root rake that goes over a regular dozer blade only I'll fabricate five or six shanks that take bobcat teeth. Then behind that maybe a skid steer track drag or similar. Then finally a heavy roller to help seal and compact. Mainly for motocross track maintenance, OHV trails, and general dirt trails and roads. It'd have to be pulled by a dozer. I go ride at these off road parks around here and the main trails haven't been graded in years understandably because it takes a very long time to re grade once you start cutting in. Just a thought and maybe one day I can make it happen. I love the results of pulling like a motor grader does and I'm a fan of back dragging too. It'd have to be a one pass deal. It's probably already been invented I'm sure. You could even scale and size them for four wheelers, UTV's, skid steers, dozers, etc. I've spent my entire life off roading for a hobby and I hope to do it till I'm gone. I have a track out back where I took that video and play around back there all the time changing it up. It's very enjoyable for me. I guess I pretty much spend my life in the dirt but I love it. Maybe I'll create this creation and offer my service to these places. Maybe an attachment like the motor grader skid steer attachment with fold teeth for hard pack and hyd. ripper style rear function that pulls a float. That way you could reverse and turn. :idea:idea
These pretty granite rocks came from the Mall of Georgia where they blasted for months.
I put this together quick and tried to stagger them in the most challenging way but need to make a few changes. It has since poured rain and is off limits till dryer days of course.
Fastdirt, congratulations on your business. It's great to see hard work pay off.
Having done some attempts at videos and pictures I appreciate the time and work that go into that also.
Even if the work has become routine for you, it's still impressive and I do hope you do keep posting pictures.
I might even be inspired to keep my Ford LTL 9000.
3406 c? 1989, 13 spd.
Creature comforts like ac and the radio aren't functioning, but truck has always ran great.
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Man, I REALLY appreciate those comments. I am really fired up about 2016 and ready to make things happen. It does get routine sometimes but it's definitely more fun and challenging than routine. My biggest problem I've had since inception is not being able to keep up and keep my customers as happy as I want to. Heck, even keeping customers when you are so spread thin is a huge challenge that I have not fixed. My fault completely, but I know once I go in like that I'll have to give my life to it for a few years before I can take personal time. I hope to focus on that this year and do whatever it takes to overcome that.
Now, onto that LTL9000... I love those trucks and wish mine was an LTL but like you said it's always ran great. Your whole setup is great. Looks dead serious and ready to go. The hood and grille all look well taken care of the bud wheels are great also.
I've had my truck near five years and use it everyday and it has never failed me. Yes, videos and pictures are very time consuming. The youtube regular uploaders and such have to spend so much time. I tried it but didn't have the drive to continue.
A picture from yesterday. This is how I keep it fun. Had to dig several borrow pits and demo this gazebo. So I dug my pit right there and kept under cutting it. When my hole ran out of good dirt I just pushed the wooden top structure off to back side and then pulled the concrete down in the hole. I was hoping for a cave in but I started wasting time and might have come off like I was playing.
Got everything demolished including all the decking, the entire 20x40 pool, a couple 40" stumps, etc. etc. Found a 2" gas line and a four cable power line to the garage. Shut the main gas meter off at the street and carried on. Owners said they cut the power off but I don't trust anybody and have one of those Cline pocket testers. It was dead. Will dig the new pool as soon as this rain stops. Got two loads of #3 stone ready for the floor and had to push both dump trucks out. We filled the entire hole in and compacted it so this rain wouldn't ruin the hole. Lot of extra work to do that but I think that will pay off.
Here is what we use to drag haul roads didn't know if this was something in a smaller version what you were talking about or not Fastdirt
