I'm looking at this very neat looking, but kind of spendy, front attachment for my CAT 259D CTL called a Roadrunner. It looks like a Gannon box with a moldboard that is fixed at a 12degree angle side to side, but can be lifted on both ends up/down to make crown. It also can be fitted with a decent size smooth roller that can be lifted to add weight to the front and pushed down to give compaction ( not so sure how that would be). Anybody out there ever used or seen one? I'm no skilled grader and have over 1 mile of gravel road to maintain. This looks like it might be the ticket. Thanks
Check out this thread. One member has one, though he hasn't posted in a couple of years, he has a good description.
I own a roadrunner. Awesome attachment, Worth every penny. I own the 8ft model....
Pa, do you pull it with a tractor or prefer it on a CTL? I have a 1/2 mile of farm road that I maintain with a tractor and rear mounted blade that really does not do the best job. That attachment looks like it would be the ticket..
I push it with the CTL. I used to use a box blade like you and the two can't even be compared. It does. Fantastic job, allows for the creation of a perfect crown. I really great tool. It's rare when you buy a tool and say it was worth the expense, well this one is more than worth it. Very well made, very adjustable. Wish I owned it much sooner....
I have a Land Pride land plane grading blade that I use once in awhile with my tractor. I can't even count how many hours I have on a box blade and can tell you that what takes years to master with a box blade takes hours with a land plane. I'll be purchasing a Roadrunner this year for my CTL...I'm getting tired of tractor-neck.
Pa - Is yours the double screw jack or the screw jack/hydraulic ram model?
I have a roadrunner and it has been great. I got mine with both the 3 point hitch and the quicktach plate to use with both the tractor and the skid steer. I generally use it behind the tractor but it's just a personal preference. It has been great for maintaining gravel or asphalt milling roads but you can also raise the blades and spread (gravel, millings, 3/4 stone etc.) like an asphalt screed. I talked with Bob Horrell before I bought mine and he was spot on with everything he said about it.
How quick is it to adjust the screw jacks? My Land Pride takes a wrench and a backup which makes it a pain. I like the additional weight of the Roadrunner as well. These things seem to work better the heavier they are.
Very quick, there is a "T" handle welded to the top of the screw - just spin them by hand. They have a jam nut on the screw but I never use it.
Kick an old thread back up- you guys with a Roadrunner. Do you have the wheels on it? And- can you get the serrated blades down deep enough to break up around potholes?
Looking at getting a roadrunner boxblade for my skidsteer. Does anyone have any advice if its able to maintain a compacted gravel road? Sales rep says it weights 1200lbs.
I'm interested in one of these too. A lot of the gravel roads in my area are ROUGH! Think a lot of elevation change and washout leaving behind rocks and roots to grade out before adding gravel. How would this attachment work/ last in this environment? Are there any other attachments to consider? thanks
I ended up buying one of these- https://www.grademax.net/skid-max Can't say as I've used it much on a drive/road. Rather I have a large gravel parking lot, that has a drive in it it (equipment sales yard with a driveway going down the middle). It has been good at quickly loosening gravel & filling potholes. I got the power angle one. At an angle it does cut more aggressively. Frankly, I've not needed to work a crown, so can't speak to that. I do know if you get deep enough to get through the 3/4 gravel into the 2-3" popping up, they just mess the process up until you pick them out by hand. But- a power rake on angle may take care of them.
Was wondering if pafarmer who says he has one has the hydraulic adjust or manual adjust for the blades. Was wondering if he has the wheel extensions out front. Simon C