Dirt Moving Best size box blade for NX?

[Bob from Maine]

I recently upgraded to an NX 5010H open station and looking at getting a box blade to fix/maintain my driveway and road (approximately 1/4 mile x 20’)
I’m considering the Woods BSM72 and BSM84.
I’d appreciate any feedback and suggestions.

 

[JoelD]

For me my box blade extends just beyond my rear wheels.

Works well for me. Can be a big pull as they load up with material.

Joel

 

[Bob from Maine]

Big advantage to cover your tracks?

 

[Robin Veerman]

Absolutely…

 

[thclimer]

Yes, you will be better off to buy one at least as wide as your tires.

You will get many opinions about box blades, these are mine.

The true benefit of a box blade is its ability to move material, this what it excels at. The use of it is improved dramatically with a hydraulic top-link. There is a learning curve to using one as they require constant adjustments.

You can not beat a land plane for creating a smooth surface with minimal effort. Because they have skid shoes/runners you drop it to the ground and allow it float as it does the rest to create a level surface.

I own a box blade and a land plane. To maintain an established driveway the land plane hands down wins.

If your driveway has deep pot holes you will want to get an implement with scarifier's to dig down to the depth of the hole to be able reestablish a smooth consistent base.

If I could only choose one it would be the land plane as it will move material just not as efficiently as a box blade, but then I always have my FEL to move material as well.

 

[Bob from Maine]

Hmm. Interesting.
I do have a hydraulic top link. Can the land plane be tilted with the side link to create/maintain a crown?
Will it scrape material off the edges and bring it back to the center?

 

[jeff9366]

Big advantage to cover your tracks?

If your BB is much narrower than your tire spread, and you pull in one alley repeatedly, your tires will soon be up on narrow ledges and the centered BB will not touch the ground.

Tractor tire weight will mash down minor differences of 1" to 1-1/2" per side.

In the attached photo, two years old, the 60" wide community burn pit is now 40" below grade. You can't do below grade work like this if your Box Blade is narrower than tractor's tire spread.

Note: Bush Hog (brand) Rollover Box Blade.

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[Bob from Maine]

Makes perfect sense

 

[Bob from Maine]

Outside to outside rear tires (R4s) measures around 73.
Would the 84” BB be overkill?
Would it be too big to maneuver?
The road is fairly straight, but like anything else, I’m sure I’ll find other uses for it.

 

[thclimer]

Hmm. Interesting.
I do have a hydraulic top link. Can the land plane be tilted with the side link to create/maintain a crown?
Will it scrape material off the edges and bring it back to the center?

The land plane can be tilted to create a crown and it is a much better implement at doing so compared to a box blade as within the land plane the scraping blades are angled to purposely move the material to one side. Again its another advantage of a land plane over a box blade for maintaining a driveway.

 

[Xfaxman]

Also consider the style.

Basic:

Floating or Hinged Back

High Back:

 

[jeff9366]

Outside to outside rear tires (R4s) measures around 73.
Would the 84” BB be overkill?
Would it be too big to maneuver?
The road is fairly straight, but like anything else, I’m sure I’ll find other uses for it.

Outside to outside rear tires (R4s) measures around 73".

My recommendation is a 72" width Box Blade.



Give careful consideration to a Land Plane. Especially if your road is gravel.
A Land Plane "recovers" gravel. A Box Blade does not.

MORE: box blade vs land plane

A compact Box Blade makes better Three Point Hitch counterbalance to FEL lifts.

 

[Bob from Maine]

Outside to outside rear tires (R4s) measures around 73".

My recommendation is a 72" width Box Blade.



Give careful consideration to a Land Plane. Especially if your road is gravel.
A Land Plane "recovers" gravel. A Box Blade does not.

MORE: box blade vs land plane

A compact Box Blade makes better Three Point Hitch counterbalance to FEL lifts.

If I’m leaning toward a land plane, again would 72 or 84 be best behind the NX?

 

[jeff9366]

If I’m leaning toward a land plane, again would 72 or 84 be best behind the NX?

Outside to outside rear tires (R4s) measures around 73".

I recommend an 84" width land plane.

 

[scootr]

A lot of people touting the virtues of a land plane never learned to use a Gannon or Box Scraper. The land plane is a one trick pony. The Gannon box scraper is the most versatile attachment you can put on a utility tractor. I own a 72" Gannon for my MX5200 and a 84" Land plane. The landplane excels at weed abatement because it can shear off the weeds and leave the weeds and earth behind.

 

[jeff9366]

YES. The proficiency learning curve for a Box Blade is quite long.

The learning curve for a Land Plane is short.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

LOTS of good land plane conversation and visuals here: Magical Driveway Tool
Travis

 

[jeff9366]

Well, Travis, how nice that they have finally freed you from The Line so you can return to marketing.

jeff9366

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Well, Travis, how nice that they have finally freed you from The Line so you can return to marketing.

jeff9366

Thanks! Yeah, I am able to stray from my cage every now and then.
Hey, I was even able to make a little vid last Friday!
Travis

 

[Threepoint]

Outside to outside rear tires (R4s) measures around 73.
Would the 84” BB be overkill?
Would it be too big to maneuver?
The road is fairly straight, but like anything else, I’m sure I’ll find other uses for it.

Bob, I've used the Woods BSM84 on my NX4510HST/cab for the last 6-1/2 years to maintain about a mile of gravel (crusher run) access road and lateral driveways. It's 750 lbs, so is also a good counterweight for loader and grapple work. For snow removal, I use a Woods HBL84-2, 550 lbs.

I have no problems with maneuverability with either blade, and don't think you would either. My tires, though, are the Titan R3s (turfs), so their rear width is nearly 84". I agree with others that being able to cover your tracks is desirable. BTW, I do most of my maintenance grading in medium range, even with a full box of wet material. With your NX5010HST, you'll likely do the same.