Has anybody built a box blade?

[4570Man]

Has anyone build one, and what are your suggestions? I am looking at building a box blade for a DK40. It needs to be pretty heavy duty, and I haven't seen anything on Craigslist. If I build one where is the cheapest place to buy the cutting edge and and teeth.

 

[Trials]

I honestly don't think you could build one much cheaper then you could buy a new one. But if you are building it just as a personal challenge, it's time to scope out what your local scrap yard has to work with. You are going to need a lot of 1/4" plate steel, some square profile steel, 1/2" plate steel, several pounds of welding rod and a whole bunch of angle grinder cutting wheels.

I can take photos and measurements of mine if that helps, just holler if you need them :|

 

[4570Man]

I'm thinking it will cost an the same to build a heavy duty blade as buying a cheap flimsy blade. Plus I wouldn't have an excuse to play in the shop just buying one. I am always open to pictures and measurements, but I probably won't need them.

 

[100 td]

I have a cheap chinese scarifier similar to this, and wouldn't mind converting it to a box blade, so any pics and measurements anyone cares to post may come in handy when I eventually go this way, if I do! I have a used grader blade cutting edge I thought I may be able to use in it.

 

[ovrszd]

I'd go to your local road maintenance shop for cutting edges, whether that's city or county, not knowing where you live. For scarifier teeth I'd go to your local tractor supply store or it's equivalent.

I drew a set of plans for a BB but just never energized the plan. I thought it would be a fun project, regardless of cost. And you are correct, you can build a Bad A** BB for what it would cost to buy a cheap one.

Don't forget to post pics if you do it!!!!

 

[4570Man]

I will have to run by the road maintenance garage and see about a cutting edge. I hadn't thought of that. If I do it I will post pictures.

 

[ovrszd]

You won't find the length you need so be prepared to buy 6 or 7 ft and cut off what you don't use.

 

[4570Man]

Is the edge hardened steel or anything else special? Would a equally sized piece of regular steel work?

 

[ovrszd]

Nope, won't work. You gotta buy a specific cutting edge. Anything less will wear dramatically fast. Additionally the hardened cutting edge will add a lot of strength to your BB. It won't bend.

Expect to pay around $100 for a 7ft cutting edge.

 

[Trials]

Mine was made by Buhler which I believe is a Canadian manufacturer out of Manitoba. It is far from flimsy I can assure you of that, they are very heavy, so you will need the tractor to move it while you are building it. You are also going to need the ability to drill some very large holes through heavy steel.

The side plates are the first thing to wear down on the leading edge. There are 2 blades, one for grading forwards, the second for backing up. The blades can be turned over once the bottom edge wears down, or reversed front to back, but I haven't needed to do that yet. The blades are pretty tough steel and have square holes with a recessed countersink to accept very heavy carriage bolts.

 

[4570Man]

I can drill holes up to 2" maybe a tad larger with no problem. I have a forklift in the shop so moving it around is no problem. How do the cutting edges mount. So I can expect to spend $200 maybe $250 for the cutting edges. I have a box blade already, so I am not completely clueless on box blade operation. This one is for a different tractor.

 

[4570Man]

Will 1/4 be thick enough for the sides and back or would it be worth the cost for 3/8?

 

[roadhunter]

Nope, won't work. You gotta buy a specific cutting edge. Anything less will wear dramatically fast. Additionally the hardened cutting edge will add a lot of strength to your BB. It won't bend.

Expect to pay around $100 for a 7ft cutting edge.

I built one with a large piece of angel and it worked fine, something like 6x6x1/2" was used for the blade. For occasional homeowner use it's' not absolutely necessary to have a hardened edge for most situations. If it did happen to wear you could just weld on a hardened blade later. If you don't' have access to some good materials try a scrap yard. Sometimes you can find great pieces for projects like this where you don't' want to buy a whole piece. I found all these parts in the boneyard at a past job. I bought a few weld on ears on ebay and a hydraulic cylinder and hoses from surplus center. The hydraulic top link makes all the difference in the world IMO.

 

[LD1]

I think the hardest part of building a box blade for a home shop is gonna be

1. Milling the slots in the box tube for the scarifiers
2. Rolling the steel for the blade

Everything else is pretty straight forward.

Do you have the ability to handle those two?

 

[4570Man]

I have a milling machine, but I was planning on having the slots plasma cut. I didn't think I had to roll any steel for the blade.

 

[jenkinsph]

LD1, I don't see milling the slots as a problem. Rolling the moldboard is the hardest part, everything else is just work.

 

[Walker1]

I built my first one years ago. I built it all out of scrap, including the cutting edge, which was a drop from the heVy equipment guys I know. You don't HAVE TO curve the moldboard, it just helps keep the material boiling. You can always weld several pieces at a slight angle to get the curve if you really want it. Mine was only 5', and 1/4" plate worked fine for the sides. If I was going to build a bigger one I would go with 3/8" plate for the sides. If you use 1/4" plate consider welding a shoe at the bottom. A back blade and a swinging tailgate are nice, but not absolutely needed. Plan on a nice heavy tube for the front, and don't skimp on the 3 point attachment.

 

[LD1]

Milling slots is thought of you ain't got a mill. Just something else to "hire" done.

If you don't plan to roll the back of the box, what were you planning? Just a flat sheet/plate isn't very strong. Lots of inherent strength in the "roll"

 

[Walker1]

Oh, and also, I would do it again. It was an afternoon project, it was fun, and one of the more useful projects I have made. Even with new materials you will have a better tool at less cost.

 

[4570Man]

Milling slots is thought of you ain't got a mill. Just something else to "hire" done. If you don't plan to roll the back of the box, what were you planning? Just a flat sheet/plate isn't very strong. Lots of inherent strength in the "roll"

I was planning on just a rolled store bought cutting edge.