Box Scraper Are my Box Blade expectations too high?

[tony123]

I've been using my box blade now for about a month. It's a 48" United. I've tried every setup adjustment I have, but can't find any way to get it to bite in more than an inch or two.

Specifically, I'd like to get the teeth to dig in several inches deep before the blade. Almost in a plow sort of fashion.

Maybe I need a really short toplink?

Am I trying to get it to do too much?

 

[wushaw]

You are not asking too much. It should dig real well if you just use the teeth while using the box as weight.
I had a 48" KK BB and it dug just fine with the rippers all the way down to break up the soil.

If the rippers are ridding up on the soil then you may need to add weight to the BB.

 

[SnowRidge]

It may simply be too lightweight a BB. As wushaw suggested, try piling weight on it and see if that makes a difference.

 

[gumtree]

I am not to familiar with your type of box blade, but if it is like mine the sides keep it from digging in to deep. I don't know were Travelers Rest is but if you have the red clay like I do, combined with the lack of rain, that could be a factor. The dirt around my house is close to being as hard as concrete.

 

[gordon21]

The rippers will probably be adjustable. Make sure they are in the lowest position. Shorten up your top link. You will be visually able to see that the rippers are angled correctly. Then the most important thing, add a minimum of 200# of weight on top of the boxblade.

You can probably rig up something temporary to verify this is your problem. Span a 6' 2x4 across the top and thread some concrete blocks on it. 5 blocks will give you over 200#. Now try going over a spot where you previously had no results. I can almost guarantee that you will be aggresssively digging.

Another way to test is to have two people stand on the boxblade top edge, have them lean forward and hold the ROPS. Then SLOWLY drive with them standing on it. If you do this, PLEASE be careful. Use 1st gear only. It will only take about 5' to verify that the lack of weight is your problem.

The typical 3PT does NOT apply downward pressure. Without enough weight, the boxblade will skitter across the top and not dig in.

Once you verify weight is the issue, then you can make some weights that can be attached as needed. I have six JD suitcase weights that drop over the edges of my boxblade. What a difference they make. I can add them to one side only if I am working on a ditch at the side of a road. That side will really dig and then you raise the rippers that would be out in the middle of the road.

 

[john_bud]

I think that box is about 250 pounds. For comparison, my 66" box is about 900". Yours has about 65 pounds per foot of width. Mine has 165. I still need more weight in some cases, especially on hard packed dry dirt or clay.

I don't think you could use my box, but you will do well to beef yours up to 4-500#. It will make a night and day difference. The down side is that the box may be damaged by the extra stresses. Typically the blade may bend or the 3pt connection will crack / bend.

Don't sweat it, it's a great excuse to buy a welder!!

The set up you are needing is to have the front of the box lower than the back by shortening the top link. You want the back to be about 3" high for a scarifier only application. Your light box might require more tilt to accomodate the lighter weight. Adjusted correctly, the scarifier's angle will help draw the box down. Well, once they penetrate the ground.

 

[Rara Avis]

I've been using my box blade now for about a month. It's a 48" United. I've tried every setup adjustment I have, but can't find any way to get it to bite in more than an inch or two.

Specifically, I'd like to get the teeth to dig in several inches deep before the blade. Almost in a plow sort of fashion.

Maybe I need a really short toplink?

Am I trying to get it to do too much?

When you give up on your bb...

The Absolute Innovations line of Arena Drags: Featuring the TR3™ Rake!

 

[sandman2234]

I don't know what my box blade weighs, but it is too heavy for me to move around when trying to hook up. It is a six footer, and I haven't managed to tear it up, so it must be at least heavier than light duty.
As everyone has said, weight is probably the answer. Try it with just one scarifier extended and see if that will break into the soil. If one goes through it, then it is just weight and horsepower to make the rest do it.
David from jax

 

[N80]

As mentioned, living here in the northern part of SC the soil, at least in Rock Hill and Winnsboro is like concrete. Weight will surely help, but rain will help more.

The difference is that you might get some weight but you're not likely to get any rain.

Also as mentioned, get the top-link as short as possible.

 

[Tig]

I found the top n tilt helps a lot to figure out what works. Like others have mentioned, a bit of rain may help soften things up. My BB is 48" and 350 lbs. If at all possible I wait until the day after it has rained.