Advice on box blade LS S3010

[doakster2]

Hi. I have an LS s3010 tractor that is 28hp. I need to fix up my gravel driveway what has a lot of potholes. It is more pothole than driveway at this point. I have dug up and dmoothed out some of the worst potholes with the FEL, which is better, but nowhere near ideal. So, i think it is time to get a box blade.

My question is, what size would be best. A couple of considerations here. The distance between the rear tires (outside to outside) is 64". I was thinking a 5 ft box blade, but my driveway is raised up and I would like to be able to scrape the sides in toward the middle and crown it, but I don't think that would be possible with a blade narrrower than the tires. Would a 6ft blade be too much for the size of tractor that I have?

 

[RjCorazza]

I personally would cover the tracks with a 6' box blade, but you're a little light on weight and horsepower. Loose gravel won't be a problem, and you could always set the shanks higher or alternate them up / down.

 

[oosik]

Five foot or six foot. The telling condition will be - how deep are you cutting and how deep are the shanks set.

If I take too deep a cut with my six foot box blade or set the shanks at max depth - there will be a time that my M6040 will be digging four wheel holes.

The "art" is learning how to use the implement skillfully.

 

[Citydude]

With either width, it's not really necessary to deploy all of the shanks for ripping if the road base is especially hard. I've used only one when ripping out potholes and leaving the rest of the area intact.

 

[doakster2]

Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate the help. I have never used a box blade before, so all my knowledge comes from youtube. Am I correct in assuming the hardest part is ripping up the hard gravel? I don't mind using less shanks and making more passes to loosen it. If I go with the 6ft, will I have enough power to pull that when it is full of gravel, or would that be a problem? The tractor is 4WD, by the way.

 

[scootr]

I honestly think a 6ft gannon aka box blade is too much for a 28 hp tractor in any material.

 

[big bubba]

agree, a 28 hp machine would be stressed w/a 6' blade, as well as light on it's feet.
whichever blade you chose, consider loading rear tires if they're not already.
good luck

 

[MtnViewRanch]

There are a few manufacturers that have 65" box blades. That IMO would be ideal for your tractor.
So have that in mind when you are looking.

 

[doakster2]

Just wanted to post a follow up in case someone is in the same situation and wants to know what I ended up doing.

I got a BECO 6' box blade from my "local" dealer. They are an hour away from me, but were able to deliver it for free while doing another delivery.

First impressions look good. I used it tonight breifly on a 15ft section of pothole. I got the 6 ft because I really wanted to be able to cover my wheel tracks. I figured if it just doesn't work out, I can probably sell it without too much of a hit and get a shorter one. Seemed to work well, and no major problem pulling it yet, but I wasn't taking a huge bite. I currently have my woodpile along the edge of my driveway, so the major repair will have to wait until fall after I have the wood in the basement. I will post my final thoughts then when I've had a chance to give it a good workout.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Williy]

IMHO you should be looking at a land plane

willy

 

[doakster2]

Well, it took a while, but I finally had a chance to use my box blade to fix my driveway. I was unsure how my little 28hp tractor would work with it, but I was amazed at how well it handled it. If anyone is in my situation and wondering if 28hp is enough for a 6ft blade, it is. I had all 6 scarifiers down, and the blade tilted quite aggressively to do the initial tearing up, and had no issues. It did bog down some in high range, which was no surprise, but worked great in low range.

I did 20 passes with the scarifiers to rip everything up, then about 10 passes with the blade to distribute everything more evenly. Things were a little wet, so I beat it all down by driving over it, and waited until the next day. Then I went over it another 10-15 times to smooth everything out, and I'm pretty happy with the results. Definitely better than it was or has been for years.

Below are pictures of before and after.

Thank you to everyone for your help and advice. I hope this conclusion may be useful to someone else in the same situation.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Well, it took a while, but I finally had a chance to use my box blade to fix my driveway. I was unsure how my little 28hp tractor would work with it, but I was amazed at how well it handled it. If anyone is in my situation and wondering if 28hp is enough for a 6ft blade, it is. I had all 6 scarifiers down, and the blade tilted quite aggressively to do the initial tearing up, and had no issues. It did bog down some in high range, which was no surprise, but worked great in low range.

I did 20 passes with the scarifiers to rip everything up, then about 10 passes with the blade to distribute everything more evenly. Things were a little wet, so I beat it all down by driving over it, and waited until the next day. Then I went over it another 10-15 times to smooth everything out, and I'm pretty happy with the results. Definitely better than it was or has been for years.

Below are pictures of before and after.

Thank you to everyone for your help and advice. I hope this conclusion may be useful to someone else in the same situation.

Looks good, thanks for the followup.

 

[IndyIan]

Well, it took a while, but I finally had a chance to use my box blade to fix my driveway. I was unsure how my little 28hp tractor would work with it, but I was amazed at how well it handled it. If anyone is in my situation and wondering if 28hp is enough for a 6ft blade, it is. I had all 6 scarifiers down, and the blade tilted quite aggressively to do the initial tearing up, and had no issues. It did bog down some in high range, which was no surprise, but worked great in low range.

I did 20 passes with the scarifiers to rip everything up, then about 10 passes with the blade to distribute everything more evenly. Things were a little wet, so I beat it all down by driving over it, and waited until the next day. Then I went over it another 10-15 times to smooth everything out, and I'm pretty happy with the results. Definitely better than it was or has been for years.

Below are pictures of before and after.

Thank you to everyone for your help and advice. I hope this conclusion may be useful to someone else in the same situation.

Looks great, my driveway is similar and the bigger rocks are a bit of a pain, but its much better than mud! I would use the box blade just in low range, pushing the HST near or above the pressure relief by running to high a range, isn't the greatest idea to make it last for the long run.

 

[oosik]

I should hope to say - that's a really fine job. Much more level and smooth - you could play pool on it.

I always use my land engagement implements in low range. Takes a tad longer but far less strain on everything.

You have every right to be very proud. First use of a new implement. Excellent results.