I was all set to buy a BB (Box Blade) until I learned that a hydraulic top link is almost a necessity to accomplish what I need to do. And my JD dealer will not install one on my JD855 as "factory parts are no longer available". So that means I need to plumb it up myself. And I think /pine is right about having to eyeball what is going on or it is not going to work very well. I may require neck surgery as is (will know in a few weeks), and that puts another nail in the BB coffin for me.
Others here have advised getting a land plane. Much easier to use and does not require a hydraulic top link. But it will not move material like a BB and it is about twice the price of an economy BB for the model without scarifiers...nearly three times the price of a BB for a LP with the scarifiers.
Another option is to add extensions to the BB to turn it into something more like a LP. There was a post here about a guy who was going to try doing that. It is the option I currently like the best...if it would work. If I knew someone with a BB, I would borrow it, clamp on some 2x8 lumber and try it out.
