I must be doing something wrong........

[steveinmo]

I read with great interest the recent thread about "I suck with a box blade" and learned a lot. Still, having never used one, I just knew that I too would "suck with a box blade".

We just moved into our new house a week and a half ago. The builder did the "final grade" about three weeks ago.....right before we had heavy rain for several days. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Needless to say we ended up with lots of "run off ruts". Plus there were some contours that I wasn't quite happy with. So I new that I would have to do something before I could plant grass. We probably have close to two acres that are torn up from construction (long story).

Anyway, I figured that a box blade would be the first step. The best time to plant grass here is the end of August so I have a couple of months to learn how to use the box blade and to get the seed bed ready for planting. I didn't think I needed a super heavy duty box blade so picked up a Kind Kutter 66" at the local farm supply store last night ($383 plus tax). Yes, it has the captured pins and the wide gussets, so I think I got a pretty good price.

Unhook the finish mower last night, use the loader to hoist the box blade out of the trailer (only a slight dent in the trailer fender /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif) and was anxiously awaiting a trial run tonight. Hooked it up without a hitch (other than the 3 point /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) and went for a test/practice drive. I had the scarafiers about even with the front blade. Set what I thought would be a good height and off I went. Just kind of made some circles around the back yard (out of sight of all neighbors /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). I just set it and didn't really adjust it at all. It did exactly what it was supposed to. Took off the high spots and deposited it in the low spots.

Now granted, I only spent about 45 minutes before I had to knock off, but I was really impressed with what this thing did. I kept the speed down low and just drove. I know it will be tougher when I get to some more severe slopes in the front, but........what am I doing wrong??? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Steve

 

[BoneheadNW]

Steve, Steve, Steve-

You have just experienced one of those rare moments in life when things work correctly the first time. Savor it, bask in it, but don't count on it happening again for a while /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

Especially for the neighbor's sake, pretend that you knew exactly what you were doing the whole time.

Bonehead

 

[RedRocker]

I'd go ahead and start a road building business, you can practice at my place. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dliston]

Might want to mark the toplink somehow so you can find this "sweet spot" again. A change in the toplink length will change how well the boxblade works - digging too deep, not digging at all, etc.

I would say fell into it and came up smelling pretty good. But if anyone asks - you knew exactly what you were doing! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Freds]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Might want to mark the toplink somehow )</font>

I "mark" mine by measuring it when I have a length that works well with a particular implement.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Steve, I had the same euphoria my first day, too. It wears off pretty quick. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Seriously, it isn't real hard, but you'll become more critial of your success and failure as you go along. I am planting zoysia, which is a warm season grass best planted in the early summer. My deadline is this weekend and I am down to a landscape rake putting the final touches on. For both the box blade and the landscape rake, I think a hydraulic top link is a lifesaver. I can make either one sing by tweaking the top link.

 

[willfick]

What you're doing right is working in a spot where there's room to
"Just kind of made some circles around the back yard." When you get to where there's only room to "kind of go back and forth" is when you want to be sure nobody's watching. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Good luck - maybe that time won't come until you're an old hand.
Wm

 

[steveinmo]

Thanks to everyone for their comments and helpful hints. I did mark the top link so that should help me in the future. The bad news is we got about 3 1/2" of rain yesterday morning in a short time. It'll be awhile until I can get back in the "mud pit" to practice again.

Steve

 

[frank_f15]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The bad news is we got about 3 1/2" of rain )</font>

now if you have to much rain send some up here. also seems like you found the sweet spot on your box blade, remember how it was set and also remember that different ground conditions might need you to adjust the blade a bit.

 

[DFW]

Steve, I hope I am as successful as you were. I just got a new Gearmore 60" box blade to maintain my roads. I haven't tried it yet, but if I am as bad with it as the back blade, well, I'll just keep practicing...

Cheers,