Box Scraper Box blades are great, but will they do this?

DaveWilliamsTX · Oct 6, 2009

Hi everyone,

I have a question for the hive mind about preparing fields for native prairie seed.

We have close to 100 acres of former pasture which are currently dominated by KR Bluestem (exotic range grass) I've read that disturbing the roots of these plants is a great way to give new seeds a good chance at establishment.

We have a John Dere 5205 4WD tractor (52 horse, I think

) with a disc, but the disc sucks - its made by Armstrong AG, always clogs, and breaks welds often

.

I'm wondering if a Box Blade with tines (among all the other amazing things it can do) could be a fast and effective way to uproot established bunch-grasses and lay down a relatively flat grade which could be seeded and rolled.

We're not talking about tilling tall grass prairie here, but its a bit more than your average lawn.

There is a chance that we'll be able to burn these pastures before we do this, which i imagine would help, but not having to burn is a lot more flexible.

Is a box blade at all right for the job?

We're going to get one anyway, and need a heavy duty one that can deal with jobs from road grading to de-rocking silty/clay fields, price isn't much of an object - anyone got a recommendation?

I've looked at the John Deere Site, at the BB12 and BB42...

Thanks - Dave

brandoro · Oct 6, 2009

I can't help you with your question about rehabilitating your grass lands but would suggest you check out Land Pride box blades too. A neighbour up the road has one on a bigger tractor than mine and I can hardly believe some of the things he has done with it and doesn't appear to have damaged it at all. I have several other LP attachments and have been impressed by them.

RPW · Oct 6, 2009

I'm surprised about the Armstrong AG as I have one of there boxblades and I have yet to see on built heavier. Not saying that it's not possible but just haven't seen one. As far as pasture renovation you might pose this question in the Ag section.

Good luck.
Richard.

jenkinsph · Oct 6, 2009

I have a Frontier BB1284 7' boxblade with hydraulic scarifier toothbar heavy duty for sure and really like it. this would be a good match for your tractor too.

As far as the pasture goes I think you need a better disk a good pull type disk with large blades and 9" spacings should keep cleared for you.

Steve

DaveWilliamsTX · Oct 6, 2009

Thanks for the suggestions, any others are welcome.

I have tried and tried to find someone who will bring a seed drill out for a couple of days, to no avail. A no-till drill like the one made by Traux would probably be perfect.

Native American Seed has one, but they won't call me back...frustrating.

JKirkwood · Oct 7, 2009

You should check w/ your conservation office. First they can help you in reestablishing methods for native prairies. They may also have an equipment share program that you could get use of a seeder. In Missouri, the conservation office is very active in getting native areas and helping landowners.

Egon · Oct 7, 2009

A cultivator with chisel points may do the job.

MarkV · Oct 7, 2009

I just can't imagine pulling a box blade with the scarifiers down over a 100 acres. I believe it will be clogging up often with pieces of sod.

MarkV

jenkinsph · Oct 7, 2009

I was thinking that the S tine field cultivator may work for this, as Egon brought up. It would certainly be better than using a boxblade. If clogging up is an issue then cut it as low as possible first. Then try the disk you have again.

Steve

pitt_md · Oct 7, 2009

MarkV said:
I just can't imagine pulling a box blade with the scarifiers down over a 100 acres. I believe it will be clogging up often with pieces of sod.

MarkV

I have to agree with Mark on this. This is not a good task to attempt with a box blade. 100 acres is big enough that it should be run over with a chisel plow or regular plow and disked to the finish you want then planted.

IslandTractor · Oct 7, 2009

I'm no expert but before I invested the time and money in a plow and disc I might try the S style field cultivator. That would not turn under the existing grass but would certainly open up soil for new seed. 100 acres is a lot of land to plow and disc so if there is a quicker solution it would be worth trying. I'd guess that you could cultivate a field in about the same time it would take to mow it while plowing and discing would at least quadruple the time commitment. I do agree that a box blade is not close to the right tool though. It would be clogged up constantly. A scarifier might work but it is really just an aggressive field cultivator in a sense and would snag on rocks and roots that a field cultivator would just spring over.

elvi · Oct 7, 2009

DaveWilliamsTX said:
Hi everyone,

There is a chance that we'll be able to burn these pastures before we do this, which i imagine would help, but not having to burn is a lot more flexible.

Thanks - Dave

Dave. Howdy from the Hill country. A controlled burn would be the best to bring that slice of prairie back to life and with the rains this week and cooler weather I would suggest that as your 1st choice.

We do controlled burns with great result, but my land has never seen a plow. It's actually as it was 200 years ago; so I have a good assortment of Blackland prarie and hill county vegetation.

I have not attempted what you suggest. Was this by advice from the State or Forestry Service?

Thanx.

Elvis

charlz · Oct 7, 2009

A good burn would certainly clean up all the 'trash' and likely make the disk more effective.

kossetx · Oct 7, 2009

But a good burn isn't going to rid you of an introduced grass.

I suggest you find a local with a 12'+ disc and turn it under. A lot of native seed might come up with a good tilling. I wouldn't worry about drilling grass seed. Just drag over it.

/pine · Oct 7, 2009

If your lift has position control you may be able to set the scarifier teeth to their lowest point and keep the blade up high enough for the debris to pass under.

sld · Oct 7, 2009

What about a good harrow?

jenkinsph · Oct 7, 2009

John Deere Ag - New Equipment Features for PC10 Series Field Cultivators

For the money and convenience try this field cultivator I have one and it does a good job. About $800 or close to it for the PC 1072 with S tines.

Steve

two_bit_score · Oct 8, 2009

JKirkwood said:
You should check w/ your conservation office. First they can help you in reestablishing methods for native prairies. They may also have an equipment share program that you could get use of a seeder. In Missouri, the conservation office is very active in getting native areas and helping landowners.

That's where I would start. They probably know someone who can do no-till also.

JKirkwood · Oct 8, 2009

Here is a quick note from the Missouri Prairie Foundation website:
"Winter Seeding of Native Grasses and Forbs

If you have sprayed your tall fescue or other unwanted exotic species to prepare your seed bed by the winter, we recommend broadcast planting your native prairie grasses and forb seed in December or the first week of January. A common mistake in native plantings is seeding your expensive prairie species too deep, so let Mother Nature do most of the work. You can use a harrow to rough up the surface and a culti-packer after the seed has been broadcast to insure seed to soil contact. The freezing and thawing action over the winter should work the seed to the proper depth."

Check these links for lots of info:
Missouri Prairie Foundation

MDC Library

Also, check on CRP funds to help pay for reestablishing native fields.