Installing new gravel driveway & parking spot with Ventrac tractor 

A 4-In-1 version of the power bucket would make this job so easy. With the bucket set in the “scraper position” the bucket cant dive into the ground and the material rolls up into the bucket until full. Then roll the bucket back and close the clam shell. The depth of cut is controlled by how far the clam shell is opened, so removing a consistent depth of material from the surface is easy. The 4-in-1 can also be used for laying down a consistent layer of gravel. Fill the bucket and open the clam shell to the required gap to distribute the gravel. I hope Ventrac has a look at this option.

Excellent review and very accurate description of strengths and weaknesses of the ventrac system. I have almost every implement (short of super specialty stuff). The basic bucket is inexpensive and amazing. Couldn’t help but yell “power rake” to you during the video. If you’re doing any significant amount of grading, the power rake is the ULTIMATE tool. I don’t think there’s anything better on the planet than a ventrac with the power rake for sculpting the earth. Steep learning curve but once proficient a person could go out and carve a pro golf course with nothing more needed. Thanks for the video. Great info here

One of my favourite attachments. Totally agree with you. If you have a Ventrac then its a must. 👍👍

Both of our ventracs have the seat switches disconnected so that we can stand up and better see what we’re doing with the bucket, or really any attachment at all honestly. With the roof on, that’s probably not a great idea however

Good morning, Brad! Inexperience aside, you did a great job!

I'd suggest it's better to use feel b/c removing soft-dirt might produce a better end-product if you replace that soft spot with better material, like concrete-sand or structural-sand (beach-sand).

Great content, video and commentary! Love the channel! Liked, Viewed, Shared, Subscribed! Love the Ventrack and the driveway way work. Love the spreading of gravel! Great Video!

Great job

Take a look at those antennae that people use on snow plows; set them on level ground and they might work to helping gauge the angle of the bucket.

Great Video

Nice job Brad!!

A minim skid stand on one would work great for you. But it wouldn’t do some of the other work you do. So I think what you have now works best for you. I’m wanting a mini skid steer I could use a lot. But they aren’t cheap either.

Get a box grader to do the finish work.

It’s hard to tell from the video but on most buckets the small top lip on the top is the same level as the bottom. So try and just keep an eye on the top corner of the bucket and that will help you get it level. I’ve never had a bucket on the ventrac but I hope that helps. But you being able to feel is also always a factor to make corrections in grading. Also towards the end of the video when you’re pushing the pile. Just lift the bucket and tilt it all the way forward and use it more like a dozer blade.

Fantastisch Good work copper you te best te famey te House te tractor parking thans te video fried Top weekend 🚚🪤🚜🌾🌤🧢🧤🌾✌️🧹🍹🌿🚧

This is honestly one of those examples of a spot that the Ventrac just isn't optimal. The Ventrac has a *ton* of extremely strong points, but loader work just isn't a high spot for it compared to a standard compact tractor.

I’ve seen people run the bucket in the back for better visibility. But I’m sure it will wear your neck out.

I have the same problem with level grading with my compact tractor, but worse. There is so much play and missing stiffness in the loader arm that i dig instantly 15-20cm deep. Only way is to put it in lowest gear, practically snail speed, and look if the bucket grabs and than play with the hydraulics, which are too abrupt for smooth operation😅 it's not fun🙄

Didnt put any weed mat down? Weeds and grass is gonna grow right through and take over

7:03 ouch, my county doesn't allow organic-backfill & we must use a structural-product qualified as a back-fill material. Which is usually washed-sand that can maintain structure instead of soup-out like organics might. .

I was curious about your friend's rum runner, too!

Brards lookin good are you a jw

Alot of wasted time not even scooping anything

That Ventrac bucket is terrible. Ventrac does make a real loader for their machines. I would never recommend someone using a bucket like that for what your doing. It doesn't give enough reach and it puts you extremely close to the pile. Thats a bucket for light duty use, not for what you're doing. A mini skid steer (or stand on skid whatever you want to call them) would have been the best for this job. Much better than the Ventrac and would have provided you the visibility. Most minis have a ground pressure of only 3-4 psi. Thats much less than the Ventrac your on. A full size skid steer with tracks wouldn't tear up peoples yard. Even the full size machines only have about 5-7 psi of ground pressure. Thats less than your footprint. I think you have the right idea, but that Ventrac isn't the right machine for the job. I guess there is a reason they are not common at all in my area. What is your justification for charging your neighbor $125 an hour to haul dirt with that? The operating costs and overhead aren't that expensive and not to be rude, but your skill doesn't justify that cost. For that cost they could have hired an expert operator with a full size skid steer who would have hauled, spread and graded the dirt in about the same time as you hauled it. I'm not trying to discourage you and you definately need to charge what your worth, but coming up with rates like that when they aren't justified is going to get you a bad rep. I have a Kubota L2501 with a loader and back hoe and its a much larger machine than that Ventrac and I don't even charge that rate. Charge what your actually worth, not what you think your worth. That should have been a $60 an hour job max.