Grading Attachment for Skid-Steer Vehicle

Abstract

A grading attachment is provided having a longitudinally spaced apart first and second blade attachment assemblies each extending transversely relative to a longitudinal axis and each having an outer roughing blade and a longitudinally inboard finish blade. The finish blades are spaced from one another to define a collection region therebetween. The lower most edge of the outer roughing blades are spaced above the lower most edge of the inner finishing blades when the unit is placed in a horizontal orientation. A mounting fixture is provided enabling the grading attachment to be removably attached to a motorized vehicle.

1 . Grading attachment removably affixable relative to a motorized vehicle for distributing and leveling soil, aggregate or other granular materials, the grading attachment comprising:
 a pair of longitudinally spaced apart first and second blade assemblies which extend transversely relative to a longitudinal axis when the grading attachment is in a horizontal grading position, each of the blade assemblies having an outer roughing blade and a longitudinally inboard inner finish blade interconnected by a web member, wherein a lowermost edge of each of the outer roughing blades is spaced significantly below the web member and above a lowermost edge of each of the inner finish blades when the inner finish blades are placed upon a horizontal work surface; and   a mounting fixture affixed to the pair of longitudinally spaced apart first and second blade assemblies for removable attachment to the motorized vehicle.   
   
   
       2 . A grading attachment of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of transversely spaced apart end plates interconnecting the end regions of the first and second blade assemblies; wherein the first and second blade assemblies and the spaced apart end blades define a material collection region. 
   
   
       3 . The grading attachment of  claim 2  further comprising three or more struts interconnecting the first and second blade assemblies to the mounting fixture. 
   
   
       4 . The grading attachment of  claim 1  where each of the blade assemblies is provided with an interconnecting web interposed between the outer roughing blade and the inner finish blade forming an open generally U-shape downwardly facing channel. 
   
   
       5 . The grading attachment of  claim 4  wherein each of the first and second blade assemblies is further provided with at least one upwardly extending flange projecting generally upward from the interconnecting web. 
   
   
       6 . The grading attachment of  claim 1  wherein each of the outer roughing blades is spaced longitudinally from the adjacent inner finish blade by four to twenty-four inches. 
   
   
       7 . The grading attachment of  claim 1  wherein the inner finish blades of the first and second blade assemblies are longitudinally spaced apart from one another, 1 to 3 feet to define a collection region therebetween. 
   
   
       8 . The grading attachment of  claim 1  wherein the outer roughing blade is spaced above the level of the lower most edge of the inner finishing blade by 0.25 to 2.0 inches. 
   
   
       9 . The grading attachment of  claim 1  wherein the first and blade assemblies are generally parallel to one another and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       10 . A Grading attachment removably affixable to a skid-steer vehicle for distributing and leveling soil, aggregate or other granular materials, the grading attachment comprising:
 a pair of longitudinally spaced apart first and second blade assemblies which extend transversely relative to a longitudinal axis when the grading attachment is in a horizontal grading position, each of the blade assemblies having an outer roughing blade and a longitudinally inboard inner finish blade interconnected by a web member, wherein a lower most edge of each of the otter roughing blades is spaced significantly below the web member and above a lowermost edge of each of the inner finish blades when the inner finish blades are placed upon a horizontal work surface, and an uppermost edge of each of the outer roughing blades and the inner finish blades extending upwardly from their associated web with the inner finish blades forming a transversely extending open top collection region there between;   a pair of transversely spaced apart end plates interconnecting the end regions of the first and second blade assemblies; wherein the first and second blade assemblies and the spaced apart end blades define a material collection region; and   a mounting flange affixed to the pair of longitudinally spaced apart first and second blade assemblies for removable attachment the skid-steer vehicle.   
   
   
       11 . The grading attachment of  claim 10  wherein each of the pair of in plate members are formed by a generally downwardly facing open U-shape channel member. 
   
   
       12 . The grading attachment of  claim 10  wherein the inner finish blades of the first and second blade assemblies are longitudinally spaced apart from one another, 1 to 3 feet to define a collection region therebetween. 
   
   
       13 . The grading attachment of  claim 10  wherein the outer roughing blade is spaced above the level of the lower most edge of the inner finishing blade by 0.25 to 2.0 inches. 
   
   
       14 . The grading attachment of  claim 10  wherein the first and blade assemblies are generally parallel to one another and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.