stevenchalmers.com
Gravely
Utility Scoop
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stevenchalmers.com
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16 HP Tractor
Blizzard of 1997 Circular and chain saw Chain Saw in Action Push cart Quick Hitches Quick hitch cart Snowblower on a 16HP Two Hitches Utility Scoop 
Vee Plow Wheelbarrow Wide Sod Cutter |
Utility ScoopThe utility scoop is one of the handiest and most unique attachments Gravely ever made. My dad, brother, sister and I have used the scoop to build roads, terrace yards and haul firewood amoung other things.It is highly maneuverable and can thus be used where larger skidsteer tractors cannot. I have moved many cubic yards of dirt from my residential lot quite effectively and easily. I usually combine the use of the utility scoop with a cultivator on a second tractor. The cultivator breaks up the soil and the scoop picks it up. I even run the tractor with the scoop fully loaded up a set of ramps and in to my utility trailer. Dump the load, back up and go get another one. We found the scoop really handy when collecting firewood. Other people would always look for wood uphill from the road so that they could roll the logs downhill. We grabbed the downhill stuff, loaded it in the scoop and ran the tractor uphill. Worked like a charm. There are a couple of key elements to understand when using the utility scoop. It is great for moving dirt and lousy for carrying gravel. The dirt stays together in the scoop and the gravel has a tendency to slide out. Also, the scoop is best utilized to move dirt a short distance. Think of it as less of a front end loader and more as a bulldozer that can carry dirt. We built a road at my dad's place by scooping the dirt out of the ditches, pushing it up on to the road then spreading it on the top of the road. The scoop excelled in this application. The challenge is not wearing yourself out too much by pushing down on the handles enough to pick up the dirt. It is ideal if you can slide the load along the ground rather than picking it up. The dozer blade could be used in a similar manner but falls short for two reasons: 1) It cannot carry the dirt at all. The dirt is always being pushed, and as such can fall to the sides of the blade. 2) The dozer blade can not cut in to the dirt as effectively as the scoop. Partially loaded, the scoop can actually cut in to the dirt and add to the load. If you ever have the chance to buy one of these, do it! Here is a picture of one in an old instruction manual. |
Letters Lucky FindClose-ups Actuator LeverLatch pin close up Latch pin close up, 2 Latch pin hole Latch pins engaged Mounting Pivot point Release lever Return spring Return spring 2 |
