Is anyone else missing the magic of a land plane over a box blade?

[Piston]

I feel that land planes are highly over rated. I’m curious if others feel the same way too? I’m looking for some feedback before I decide if I’m going to put my land plane up for sale or not.

Knowing how much people love their land planes, it would be no surprise to me if I’m the oddball out here, but as much as I’ve tried to love them, I just don’t see any real advantage of them over the use of a box blade (when being used by an experienced operator).

I’ve had a medium duty Landpride GS2584, and now have a 7’ commercial duty Road Boss. The Road Boss is the cream of the crop at 1,100 lbs, so I know it’s not the equipment that I’m using. I’ve used both of them for smoothing driveways and open (freshly cleared) areas.

I find I prefer using the box blade more than the land plane, and can get just as good results (if not better) with the box blade.

Does anyone else feel the same or am I just missing something here?

I should mention that I’ve used these implements for everything from smoothing out forest land after clearing, to putting in logging roads, to smoothing/grading roads and driveways especially after bad weather. Only mentioning this to put into perspective that I have use both types of implements for many tasks over the years, not just grading a perfect driveway once in a blue moon.

Any thoughts or advice?

 

[KennyG]

I have a box blade and a home made land plane. the box blade is great for moving dirt and getting a rough level, but the land plane quickly gets things really flat with no skill required. I just drag it around. Maybe I'm just not good enough with the box blade?

Although my land plane is designed with opposing angles to level ground, the commercial units with blades angled the same way probably do a much better job of crowning a road than you can easily do with a box blade.

 

[oldnslo]

Both tools have their purpose and if you ask 100 people you will get 100 opinions that maybe similar or vastly different.

My take box blade is designed to pull or carry dirt from one spot to another and has limited to no skids for depth control

Land plane is designed to plane or smooth dirt with long skids for depth control. They will move limited quantity of dirt from one spot to the next. Less prone to follow washboard movements than box blade.

 

[thclimer]

Piston, it looks like your tractor has a number of rear remotes to hydraulicly adjust your tilt and angle. With these I’d say you are at a huge advantage to the average smaller tractor owner that does not have these when trying to use a box blade.

As others have said with a land plane there is really almost no learning curve. Just drop it and with its skids it will level the ground with little operator input. I’d also have to agree that its speed for leveling a long (1/2 mile+) driveway or road can not be matched by a box blade.

 

[oosik]

I have both. Both have scarifiers. I use the land plane ten times more often than the box blade. I consider the box blade as an implement designed to move dirt. I simply do not have the need to move large amounts of dirt - very often. My skills with the box blade are lacking - probably because I use it so infrequently.

 

[Tinhack]

Ever since I picked up a used Ford 782A Back Blade, it's been my go-to implement for maintaining my clay-dirt driveway. And having TnT makes it quick and easy. I can make it dig-in or float just by changing the angle of attack (3PH Top cylinder). I've been thinking about adding a cylinder to it for swing. I currently need to get down off the tractor, pull a pin and swing it by hand. I'm getting lazy in my old age. However, the swing allows me to spin the blade 180 degrees. I can use it as a push blade going backwards or a leveler going forwards. Adding a cylinder would make that more involved.

 

[Torvy]

I guess I see the land plane as a uni-tasker. It does its one thing well, but when making purchasing decisions both cost and storage space come into play. If you only have room ($ or space) for one, the box blade seems to make more sense.

Of course, there are situational factors that may mean you would never have need of a box blade, so the utility of it is zero if you only need to level and have a land plane.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I don't have a land plane but have used a box blade for 20 years. For me it can be difficult to get long rolling waves out of a driveway. It takes time and concentration but it can be done. Sometimes after major work I won't know if it's right until I drive a car down it and will end up working on it again the next day. I've always thought a land plane would take some of the guesswork out of the job but since I can do the job without one I've never bought one. A weighted drag works for potholes too.

 

[nyone]

I have never used a LP.
I maintain a gravel driveway that's mostly flat but has a turn on it with BB. Neither the BB or a LP can drag the pushed out gravel back into the track...I use a landscape rake for that. Once I do that I drop the sacrifices on the BB and drag. It comes out very smooth. I just dont see how a LP would help.

So no your not the only one. Although I have never used one a box blade does everything I need to do. Even making a new driveway I back drag my bucket and make things way smoother than a LP is capable of doing.

 

[Omega Woods]

Using a box blade well requires a high degree of skill. Using a land plane well does not. A large box blade in the hands of a skilled operator can do everything the land plane can do and much more. Many operators, including me, do not have ninja-like skill with a box blade so I prefer the land plane since it's so much less frustrating and much quicker. I think that's the difference.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

All I can say is that I have 4 different implements that I can use on my over mile long drive. A half mile is shared with 4 neighbors and often has wash boarding. I have what I consider above-average operator skills. All of these implements range from 800lb - 1400lbs. For general road maintanance, I can get the same results with any of the 4 implements. I easily complete this task in less than half the time with the LPGS (land plane) vs the box blade, rear blade or landscape rake. They each accel at certain specific tasks.

Unlike most people, I do not consider the LPGS a one-trick pony, but that is another topic. It excels at road maintenance and I can't even imagine not having it for this task after having used one.

Heck, I have 2, a 7 footer at 1400lbs and a 5 footer at 800lbs for my smaller tractor.

 

[Piston]

...My take box blade is designed to pull or carry dirt from one spot to another and has limited to no skids for depth control

Land plane is designed to plane or smooth dirt with long skids for depth control. They will move limited quantity of dirt from one spot to the next. Less prone to follow washboard movements than box blade.

I think the vast majority of people who have a hard time smoothing with the box blade over rough terrain, is because they try to hold the box blade in the perfect position while the tractor goes up/down the bumps, causing the box blade to follow, and making it almost impossible to get a smooth surface without going painstakingly slow.
If the box blade is allowed to 'float' with the 3 point hitch all the way down, this doesn't happen. The box blade stays on the ground and the tractor pitches as needed over the bumps. The trick here is getting the top link set right so that it keeps the rear trailing blade of the box blade on the ground, acting as a gauge wheel, and allowing the front blade to just barely skim the surface. When the box is full, all the weight of the dirt inside it, also help to keep that back trailing blade tight to the ground, resulting in a packing action and smoothing the surface even more.

Using a box blade well requires a high degree of skill. Using a land plane well does not. A large box blade in the hands of a skilled operator can do everything the land plane can do and much more. Many operators, including me, do not have ninja-like skill with a box blade so I prefer the land plane since it's so much less frustrating and much quicker. I think that's the difference.

Very well said. I think this is what I'm noticing and perhaps the reason I don't see the huge advantage of the land plane.

All I can say is that I have 4 different implements that I can use on my over mile long drive. A half mile is shared with 4 neighbors and often has wash boarding. I have what I consider above-average operator skills. All of these implements range from 800lb - 1400lbs. For general road maintanance, I can get the same results with any of the 4 implements. I easily complete this task in less than half the time with the LPGS (land plane) vs the box blade, rear blade or landscape rake. They each accel at certain specific tasks.

Unlike most people, I do not consider the LPGS a one-trick pony, but that is another topic. It excels at road maintenance and I can't even imagine not having it for this task after having used one.

Heck, I have 2, a 7 footer at 1400lbs and a 5 footer at 800lbs for my smaller tractor.

A couple issues in my situation that complicates things are: My road is very steep. When using the land plane, the dirt just flows over the blades and loosely falls onto the surface of the road. With the box blade, and a full box of dirt, the dirt flows UNDER the rear blade and results in more of a packed down surface. If we get a decent rain after I grade it, all the dirt is washed down the road if done with the land plane. Even with the box blade the dirt won't last a downpour, but it does hold up better than the loose finish of the land plane.
The other issue is rocks. If I dig up a rock with the box blade, it 'usually' will get caught in the box and I can drop it at the end of the run where I please. With the land plane, the rocks will get pushed over the blades and just sit on the surface of the road, then I go back and hand pick them off.

The reason I still have the land plane is because I really like it, it's a quality piece of equipment that's hard to come by in this size/weight if buying used. I want to love it, I really do, I just haven't found that emotional attachment to it yet

I think speed is likely the answer I'm looking for. I can be lazier, and quicker, using the land plane in the right situations. I'm not giving up yet, I'll do some experimenting. I appreciate the other points of view from all.

 

[Piston]

Piston, it looks like your tractor has a number of rear remotes to hydraulicly adjust your tilt and angle. With these I’d say you are at a huge advantage to the average smaller tractor owner that does not have these when trying to use a box blade.

As others have said with a land plane there is really almost no learning curve. Just drop it and with its skids it will level the ground with little operator input. I’d also have to agree that its speed for leveling a long (1/2 mile+) driveway or road can not be matched by a box blade.

Yes, the ability to hydraulically adjust the box blade is absolutely crucial in my opinion. Also, a lot cheaper to buy hydraulic cylinders than buy a land plane if that's a consideration.

 

[/pine]

I have a saying paraphrased from a line from the movie 'The Karate Kid'...
"a man who can master a box blade can do anything"

A box blade has a distinct learning curve...a land plane you just pull behind something...!

IMO...there is no other (non hydraulic) 3PH attachment that can do more than a BB when it comes to what all can be done with one...

With a LP you can groom an existing gravel lane...with a BB you build a road or dig out a basement...nuf sed...!

 

[Yander]

I have both and find myself using my box blade most of the time even on applications a land plain is made for.

I have a rear remote and a hydraulic top link with a float function on the remote. I don't consider myself expert with a box blade at all but those two things make me an expert

 

[MtnViewRanch]

For those of you who think that you just drop a LPGS and pull, well good luck to you.
While that works, it does not work the best, changing the top link length just ever so slightly can make a HUGE difference. Having "just the right moisture content" is very helpful, but not always convenient if even possible. As far as rocks, yes they need to be dealt with separately.
Try grading with the implement suspended, not just riding on the ground.

If you have a tractor with draft control, make use of that feature. Any of these grading implements easily put enough load on the tractor to make good use of that feature.

Matt, you have what is probably the best LPGS currently made. Keep it and use it as-where needed. Even if you prefer the box blade, keep the LPGS and use as needed. I use mine for many other grading applications other than my roads.

 

[shooterdon]

I don't have a land plane but have used a box blade for 20 years. For me it can be difficult to get long rolling waves out of a driveway. It takes time and concentration but it can be done. Sometimes after major work I won't know if it's right until I drive a car down it and will end up working on it again the next day. I've always thought a land plane would take some of the guesswork out of the job but since I can do the job without one I've never bought one. A weighted drag works for potholes too.

My land plane is next to useless on "long rolling waves" on my driveway.

I am going to try the suggestion to use it "suspended" instead of letting it ride on the skid shoes.

I have not been able to get a level driveway with the attachments I have. Rear blade or landscape rake. I got so frustrated I have looked at adding "skid shoes" that are 10 ft long and made from 2x8 lumber but there is no easy way to mount them on the land plane.

 

[bcp]

Most land planes I've seen are about 4 feet long. That seems good for washboarded and potholed roads but not for long dips and rises.

Priefert used to sell one about 7-8 feet long.
(Looks like they are again. Don't know if it's the same size, but is still longer than most.)

Priefert Manufacturing

Short planes are good for smoothing. Long ones are good for leveling(flattening).

You don't want this long, but it gives an example of what I mean about length.

Bruce

 

[scootr]

Top and tilt hydraulic controls are needed with both attachments. As mentioned several times the box carries material and the LP lets the material flow out the rear.
Both can fill low spots if you use the top tilt. Push down to dig and lift up to unload. Lift just the front or the whole thing. The adjustment is subtle. Bump the lever once and again if more is needed... try to change the elevation by 1/2 or less each bump. Keep an eye on either of these attachments and constantly change the angle of attack as needed to get pro results. If your neck is sore afterwards you are not paying enough attention to the results. lol
I have both and would never sell either of them.

 

[Torvy]

Most land planes I've seen are about 4 feet long. That seems good for washboarded and potholed roads but not for long dips and rises.

Priefert used to sell one about 7-8 feet long.
(Looks like they are again. Don't know if it's the same size, but is still longer than most.)

Priefert Manufacturing

Short planes are good for smoothing. Long ones are good for leveling(flattening).

You don't want this long, but it gives an example of what I mean about length.

Bruce

They are literally right down the street from me. They have an outlet store, but no idea if anything like that is there. Mostly they sell fence panels and cattle chutes and the like.