Box Blade Shanks and Ripper Tips

[JohnnyMX]

After many years of maintaining a 1/2 mile driveway I realized that I was spending too much time fussing around with shanks and ripper teeth. My box blade is a light weight LandPride unit and the teeth connect via a dimple. After popping about 5 tips off I gave up on the dimple method and just buzzed two small tack welds. Not sure if I didn't have the correct method or lack of tools to heat up the metal to make it easier. I also started laying hard facing down each ripper tip in rows to cover the entire ripper face. They are now staying on great and lasting much longer in my gravel driveway. I did a side-by-side comparison of one that didn't get hard faced and there was no comparison.

Was I missing something on the dimpling(press) process or does everyone else get to this point as well?

 

[p0opstlnksal0t]

you might invest in a new EA box blade with the wicked tines! ive watched the video of them tearing up asphalt with it. looks impressive and they are one piece, no more pressed on tips.

 

[JohnnyMX]

Started off with a 22hp Kubota 245DT and had some trouble pulling the 5' box blade with it. Once I moved to my MX5200, I have no issues pulling the old box blade, but am more worried about tearing things up. IF I ever get a new one it will certainly be more HD than the first, and those rippers look good. My new method however has seemed to have solved my issues with replacing tips and tips wearing down really fast. I can now buy the cheapest replacement tips and they last a VERY long time. Cheaper than a new $2K box blade for sure.