Box Scraper Box Blade

[jshbryan]

Hello,

I purchased a 6' HD BB along with my tractor.

I have seen other post by people who feel that their box blade is their favorite and most useful attachment. I feel like I am missing something. All I see that it is good for is pushing/pulling dirt, and at that, it seems impossible to level an area with it. Seems like I can do a better job much quicker with the FEL.

Is there a web site or anything that tells you what all you can do with a BB and how to use it effectively?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Tact]

Hello,

I purchased a 6' HD BB along with my tractor.

I have seen other post by people who feel that their box blade is their favorite and most useful attachment. I feel like I am missing something. All I see that it is good for is pushing/pulling dirt, and at that, it seems impossible to level an area with it. Seems like I can do a better job much quicker with the FEL.

Is there a web site or anything that tells you what all you can do with a BB and how to use it effectively?

Thanks,
Jason

All I can say is that it takes time behind the wheel (ie. practice) before you can become proficient with a box blade. I have always used a box blade to prep a lot for sod to be laid. Is there another efficient way to do this? If you're speaking of extreme amounts of dirt mounds to be moved then a dozer or skid steer might be considered.

 

[greg_g]

All I see that it is good for is pushing/pulling dirt, and at that, it seems impossible to level an area with it. Seems like I can do a better job much quicker with the FEL.

I have both, and use them for what they were intended; BB for digging/grading/leveling, FEL for loading/lifting. I don't waste any time trying to make one do the other's job. I've seen folks with loader equipped tractors who do not own a BB do some minor leveling by dragging the bucket in reverse. In the absence of a BB, it works - just not as efficiently.

Both take considerable practice to master. Rather than lose faith in your BB, just practice more. Short of that, you can get a few manufacturer's tips by Googling for boxblade operator's manual

//greg//

 

[N80]

A box blade looks like a very simple device, but in reality it has quite a few variables to account for all of which affect its performance and capabilities. Things that have a major impact are 1) the angle of the front blade as determined by the top link length, 2) the depth of the teeth 3) the height setting based on the 3 pt hitch lift arms 4) the weight of the BB and or added weight. All of these have a major impact on how the BB behaves. And they are all variables that have to be taken together!

It is beyond me to explain each variable and how they interact, but as someone mentioned, practice is key and it takes a while.

Having said that, I find my BB to be extraordinarily useful and versatile. The only thing that I have better luck with the FEL is some back filling of small amounts of loose material, especially if it has to be precise.

I have used my BB to 'plow', I've used it to move material, I've used it to landscape (bring down high areas and fill low areas), I used it for precise leveling too but find it pretty difficult if the surface involved isn't already a bit level.

I don't think a BB is all that great for road maintanence though. Maybe for roughing things in it is okay, but I've heard a back blade is better for crowning, moving gravel etc.

Edited to add: I leave my BB on at all times other than when I'm using my mower. It makes an excellent counter weight to the FEL and now my tractor feels less stable without it

 

[3RRL]

I have done quite a lot of boxblade work on my rural property explaining different techniques to accomplish grading, cutting and such. If you are interested, here is a thread describing my latest project.
Home and Barn Grading

This is another thread where I plowed and prepared a food plot with it.
Plowing Food Plot

And another where I pushed in roads and trails where there was nothing.
Pushing in Roads and Trails

They make for interesting reading and what you can do with your boxblade.

 

[thcri]

The boxblade is the next item on my list of stuff to get. I borrowed one last fall and was amazed what one could do with it. I think if you just get out there and play with it you will learn to love it. The one I used was mostly for cutting down a steep embankment. My loader would not have touched that hill nor could I have done it as smoothly.

Just hang in there, you will learn to love it.

 

[jshbryan]

OK... had some pretty good success with it leveling an old burn site that had clusters of dirt mounds. I was able to get it pretty darn level. I extended the top link which rolled the blades cutting edge way back. Now it's getting fun .

 

[greg_g]

OK... had some pretty good success with it leveling an old burn site that had clusters of dirt mounds. I was able to get it pretty darn level. I extended the top link which rolled the blades cutting edge way back. Now it's getting fun .

To add to this testimony, hydraulic toplink capability will multiply considerably anybody's appreciation for what a boxblade can do. $180 for a HTL is the best tractor accessory money I've ever spent. And I see your Branson has draft control. Even though this opinion is not universal - draft control can add even more versatility to boxblade use.

//greg//

 

[Tig]

.....it seems impossible to level an area with it.

I'm new at this too so I don't have any experience to share, but while reseaching the issue in the forums it became clear to me that I should have guage wheels on my BB. I'm currently working on rear remotes and top & tilt. I hope to be doing some grading this weekend.

 

[greg_g]

I'm new at this too so I don't have any experience to share, but while reseaching the issue in the forums it became clear to me that I should have guage wheels on my BB. I'm currently working on rear remotes and top & tilt. I hope to be doing some grading this weekend.

If you have T&T (draft control capability can help too), gauge wheels on a BB are sorta redundant. Unless - and don't take this the wrong way - unless your idea is to use them like training wheels, and remove them when you get the hang of things.

The way I see it - some folks who think they need gauge wheels on a boxblade - probably should have bought a backblade instead

//greg//