Marooned
Bronze Member
What are the advantages / disadvantages to having a hinged tailboard vs. fixed tailboard on a box blade? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Fixed vs. Hinged Tailboard for Box-Blade
- Thread starter Marooned
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bjr
Veteran Member
I asked the same question about a year ago. What I was told is:
The little flip tail keeps dirt from buiding up between the two blades. When dirt and rocks builds up the box tends to raise. I had to order my 6' KK as the local dealer just kept the fixed blade style, it took them 3 mo. to get kk to put it on the truck at the factory. It's been a good blade, lost one scarfier tooth tip but it's been earnin' it's keep. Now I'm watchin' this forum about the China Chipper's, I want one of those now. bjr
The little flip tail keeps dirt from buiding up between the two blades. When dirt and rocks builds up the box tends to raise. I had to order my 6' KK as the local dealer just kept the fixed blade style, it took them 3 mo. to get kk to put it on the truck at the factory. It's been a good blade, lost one scarfier tooth tip but it's been earnin' it's keep. Now I'm watchin' this forum about the China Chipper's, I want one of those now. bjr
WVBill
Veteran Member
I have a small old Gannon box blade for my B6100. It has a Hinged tailboard that can be pinned in place to make it fixed. Here's what I've found.
In the fixed position, with the box tilted back so that the tailboard touches the ground before the front edge of the box, the tailboard can be used to smooth the ground much like a blade in reverse. The fixed position can help control how aggressive a cut you're taking - much like a gauge-wheel might work. However, it also limits how aggressive you can get the cut.
In the hinged free position, the tailboard does not limit the aggressiveness of the cut. In this position, it can "gently" smooth the spoils from a gradual dump/spread of the loaded box.
In the fixed position, with the box tilted back so that the tailboard touches the ground before the front edge of the box, the tailboard can be used to smooth the ground much like a blade in reverse. The fixed position can help control how aggressive a cut you're taking - much like a gauge-wheel might work. However, it also limits how aggressive you can get the cut.
In the hinged free position, the tailboard does not limit the aggressiveness of the cut. In this position, it can "gently" smooth the spoils from a gradual dump/spread of the loaded box.
stevenf
Platinum Member
Marooned, I have a Woods XB84 it is very heavy and has a swing back blade, when I was deciding whether fixed or swing someone made an interesting comment/idea, I haven't done it yet but get the swing gate and then you have the best of both worlds, when you don't want it to swing pin it closed. Mine didn't come like the prior poster with the pins adapted already so I'll have to drill it to insert pins but its nothing a 5/8" drill bit and two pins wouldn't solve in less then an hour, now if I can find the time while the sun is still up to drill it like I intended to a year ago.
Steve
Steve
I bought a Landpride BB that has a Fixed/Floating tailgate. I use it most of the time unpinned, so I can more easlily fill my box up when I am taking material off of a pile. The only time I pin the tailgate is when I am doing a final grade at the end of a job. I tilt the box all the way back and set the back blade on the ground.
