Using a boxblade?

[tdenny]

bebster,

You can use your box blade for picking up some stray roots but the teeth on your box are usually wider than those on your tooth bar so there's most likely to be some remaining. You might actually have to get off your tractor and yank on one or two to get them out (believe me I hate to say that). I use my box blade to help me do tons of clearing. I find it to be a fantastic tool for that. I do my clearing in phases. Phase 1 with rippers down drive through anything where a stump won't stop process, burn all the big stuff, and don't worry about grading at this point. Once all the big stuff is picked up I run around the cleared area with the rippers set at the highest level (barely diggin' in) and then finally I cover the low spots with the rippers no longer engaged. It takes a while but eventually the area is "parked" out very nicely. I would much rather use a Cat for this task but hey I get more seat time this way. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bebster]

That's a very logical approach. Does 3 passes usually get it done for you? We just had snow here today and it's down in the 30's so I'll give it a try when it warms a little. Thanks for the advice.

 

[tdenny]

Yeah you bring up a good point. I didn't really mean to indicate that it can get done in 3 simple passes. I was really meaning 3 phases. Each of those phases could have several passes. It doesn't take that long to accomplish this as long as you don't get dejected after the first clearing attempt. You'll stop, turn around (or look in your mirror /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) and think to yourself that you didn't' really do anything but drive through some brush. After a few passes and some good burning you'll eventually start thinking you are getting somewhere. I usually take on fairly small areas at a time (approximately .25 acre or so). Once I get to the third phase or just running the box around with the rippers not engaged you'll be amazed at what you've accomplished. The grading part is the funnest part for me. Now if I just had a backhoe to dig out all those darn stumps. Best of luck.