Grading BB OR BOX BLADE

[ericbx]

can anybody list different duties they use there back blade and box blade for. looking for input on which one to purchase. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[kubby]

I only have a box blade, and use it for two basic functions: leveling ground and pushing material. The unique thing about a box blade is that it has a front facing and a rear facing blade. Depending on the adjustment of the top link, the box is tilted so one or the other blade is lower. If both blades are set to an equal height, they float on the surface and just push loose material rather than cutting much. For instance, going forward, the rear facing blade floats over the ground, preventing the front blade from digging in. This is real handy for moving loose material without gouging the surface. For leveling an uneven surface, I find it most useful to back up with the rear facing blade set slightly lower. The front facing blade floats on the surface and limits the depth of cut to something manageable. Meanwhile the rear blade cuts off the high spots and provides a flat surface for the tractor tires to follow. Whereas when going forward, the tires roll over the bumps ahead of the blade which makes the blade cut unevenly.
-Bill

 

[BossBill]

I have some different projects ahead of me.
One is maintain the present 250ft gravel drive.
Another is to curve the top of the drive. The drive is now straight and I want to curve the top so that there is no straight sight path to my house. I've built up the curve with packed dirt from another project. I also need to break up the current top section and turn that into planting area.
Sounds like a box blade project for the later, but does a box do final gravel dressing?

On another project I have to create flat paths on a hilly grass slope. This means I'll be cutting into the hillside. The tractor will be even with the terrain, so can I situate the box so that it cuts into the hill? I don't see any adjustments on most box blades, so I do this by shortening one length on the 3 pt?

 

[RayH]

I cant say for sure about the the gravel drive because Ive never used my box blade on gravel but I cant see why it wouldnt work. As far as cutting the hill, you can adjust your 3pt to tilt one side of the blade into the hill. Ive done grading jobs that required this and it works well. It just takes some time and repeated trips over the same area.

 

[valleydweller1]

Dressing gravel is maybe best done with the FEL.

 

[dieseltoys]

I have both a 5'BB and 4'box. The BB I use primarily in the winter for snow but also find it better for handling loose gravel on my drive and final grading where one might want to windrow some rocks off a cleared area. You can also create a road with a crown in the center easier with the angling ability of a BB. The Box blade with it's scarifier teeth works much better in packed soils especially clay. A BB will just ride over hardpacked soil. The box has the weight and more aggressive cutting angles on the blades to bite more. The boxblade is also nice for pulling material over a distance since it stays with you until you lift. I went for a long time with just a BB but when I got my Box blade I wondered how I ever managed without it.

 

[jhbusa]

I have a box blade but considered buying a rear blade. I can say the box blade has been able to do everything I've needed. This ranges from readying / breaking 40 - 50 ft. foundations to spreading gravel. I've used it to cut out driveways through creeks of Arkansas rocks and push around large fallen trees. It's a mini bulldozer once you get used to driving backwards.

If you get one, I stongly recommend you get one with a manual or hydraulic lever to raise and lower the tines. You won't regret it and it is WELL worth the extra cost. Mine is manual but it is very simple to use and I can reach it from the tractor seat. I got the box blade as I knew I'd be cutting ground.