Box Blade Gravel What Am I Doing Wrong???

[donconnery]

Hey guys, back for some more box blade help.....

Can't seem to get the hang of the BB on my driveway. I've read (I think) everything on here about BB's but I can't figure this out. Tilted the box all the way with scarifiers down and ripped everything up. Leveled the box out and made a few passes. Tilted the box all the way the other way to level everything out. Ended up with a bunch of windrows which I expected, but, I can't seem to get them to go away. I run over the windrow, and make two more?? I read on here that that's the general idea of it, but what am I doing wrong? Much appreciated.

 

[bcp]

You need to pull something wide and light to knock down those windrows without making more. People use logs, lumber, chain link gates, bedsprings, etc.

Bruce

 

[DMW]

I usually just back drag with the bucket at an angle, and the loader arms in float.

 

[/pine]

Leaving windrows indicates the box is still holding material...

If you do not have a hydraulic top link and are making adjustments manually...one technique that works well is reversing...if the blade is set to cut aggressively moving forward...it will do the opposite (smooth) in reverse...

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Hey guys, back for some more box blade help.....

Can't seem to get the hang of the BB on my driveway. I've read (I think) everything on here about BB's but I can't figure this out. Tilted the box all the way with scarifiers down and ripped everything up. Leveled the box out and made a few passes. Tilted the box all the way the other way to level everything out. Ended up with a bunch of windrows which I expected, but, I can't seem to get them to go away. I run over the windrow, and make two more?? I read on here that that's the general idea of it, but what am I doing wrong? Much appreciated.

Was your driveway level when you started? Did you make those windrows as a result of your box-blading? At what stage did they happen? Assuming your soil is rocky?

I THINK you may have been too aggressive on your first passes.

 

[donconnery]

The windrows happen in the (2nd?) stage, when im dragging the full box down the row. I dragged from end to end, and then turned around and did it again. I didn't have much material left at that point, but even with only the rear blade touching im picking up material and windrowing.

 

[Kubota Possum 2018]

I just purchased my Kubota BX 23 S with the land pride box blade so I haven't used it yet. However, when I used to own my Cub Cadet GT 3200 I utilized a homemade drag system which basically consisted of a sturdy wooden pallet with cinder blocks added to the top for weight. I braced it up with a few pieces of treated lumber for added durability, and used a chain and clevis style hook to pull behind the tractor. My gravel driveway is very steep, and nearly 3/10 of a mile long. It works very well for smoothing out windrows. Hope this helps.

 

[sweettractors]

Hey guys, back for some more box blade help.....

Can't seem to get the hang of the BB on my driveway. I've read (I think) everything on here about BB's but I can't figure this out. Tilted the box all the way with scarifiers down and ripped everything up. Leveled the box out and made a few passes. Tilted the box all the way the other way to level everything out. Ended up with a bunch of windrows which I expected, but, I can't seem to get them to go away. I run over the windrow, and make two more?? I read on here that that's the general idea of it, but what am I doing wrong? Much appreciated.

I keep my hand on the 3 pt lift lever and continually and gradually feather out the rock to prevent ridges on the sides. Ken Sweet

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

The windrows happen in the (2nd?) stage, when im dragging the full box down the row. I dragged from end to end, and then turned around and did it again. I didn't have much material left at that point, but even with only the rear blade touching im picking up material and windrowing.

Sounds like you mean windrows longways to your travel path. You may still have your box blade set too low, or perhaps you have a very thick layer of fine gravel on your driveway and your gravel is very loose and dry, which will basically record every mark you make. In that case even your tires will leave dents. Box blading is best done with just the right amount of moisture in the material, not to dry or too wet. Just some ideas, as I never have this problem.

 

[donconnery]

I should have taken a picture while I was in action, but this is basically what it looked like. The diagram on the left was while my blades were level, the picture on the right is what I was left with after lowering the rear blade. The lines are the windrows.