Box Scraper Box Blade for Digging Foundation`

[witterbound]

I've got a 40 x 30 spot to clear for a foundation. I've probably got to cut 4' from the high side to even it out. Then I've got to dig down around the premiter a couple of more feet for the footings. I'm going to buy a 72" box blade. Thinking of a heavy duty type, not a KK TS type. I've got a 55 hp tractor. Can I do this with a box blade?

 

[flusher]

I've got a 40 x 30 spot to clear for a foundation. I've probably got to cut 4' from the high side to even it out. Then I've got to dig down around the premiter a couple of more feet for the footings. I'm going to buy a 72" box blade. Thinking of a heavy duty type, not a KK TS type. I've got a 55 hp tractor. Can I do this with a box blade?

Maybe you could. I couldn't since I suck at box blade work. If you're hard over on doing it with a box blade, I'd recommend a Top n Tilt attachment so you can tilt the box blade for level cuts while your tractor is on the slope.

With the equipment I have on hand I would use a plow (moldboard, middle buster) to dig into the soil on the high side and then use my FEL to remove the loose stuff.

 

[ScottAR]

I don't see why not... I lowered a house pad about 12" on one end and raised it a couple feet on the other end. I don't remember the size but the house was about 1500'
when finished. Took a pretty long day with a 33hp tractor 6ft box and FEL.

Hydraulic top link would make it nice but not necessary.
Heavier blade the better so long as the tractor will lift it. Make sure the blade will cover your tracks so you don't have to over dig so much.

FEL will help in the corners if any and shaping the spoil site. Toothbar would be nice as well.

I'd do it different now as I have more toys to play with.

 

[3RRL]

You can surely do it with a good boxblade,
Use the rippers to tear up and your fel bucket AND boxblade to move soil from high to low end. Compact well.
You should see all the work I've done with my boxblade.
And yes, for sure a hydraulic top link is a great asset for boxblade work...so are hydraulic side links.

 

[davitk]

No, you can't.

You can level the pad, but the footings must be on undisturbed soil. Won't happen with a box blade, but if you're ambitious you could get close and then finish by hand.

 

[SamWalton]

The box blade many be good for general leveling of area, but it is typically a backhoe job to dig the footing and Davitk is correct about the importants of placement on virgin or undisturbed soil. Unless you plan to place your footings directly on the undisturbed soil from your passes with the box rake.

 

[witterbound]

Thanks for everyone's quick input.

I was thinking that I could level everything, then cut trenches around the outside an additonal 2 ft deep and set my footings on the bottom of these trenches. I realize the trenches around the outside would be 6 to 8 foot wide, which would give me quite a bit to back fill, but if I put most of that on the outside I ought to be able to do that fill with the FEL.

I've got a shovel for the fine tuning.

I've got the time, and I'm trying to justify paying for a nice box blade.