Box Scraper Box Blade Question

[602466]

I am looking to purchase a box blade. I found a used one for $150.00. It is a five footer. I have not seen it yet, so I do not know make, model or condition. All I know it needs a weld on the 3 point hitch? The guy said it should only cost $50.00 to be welded. What should I be looking or questions to ask when I see the used box blade?

I will be using to smooth out clay soil and to clear out trails in the woods.

Thanks for the help

Wally

 

[dtd24]

The weight of the box blade would be my input. The heavier the better I would think in your clay. You can always add weight, but I would think the heavier unit is made to hold it's weight!

 

[john_bud]

I am looking to purchase a box blade. I found a used one for $150.00. It is a five footer. I have not seen it yet, so I do not know make, model or condition. All I know it needs a weld on the 3 point hitch? The guy said it should only cost $50.00 to be welded. What should I be looking or questions to ask when I see the used box blade?

I will be using to smooth out clay soil and to clear out trails in the woods.

Thanks for the help

Wally

Wally,

It depends on you budget, but I don't think you will be happy with it. First off, it's only a 5' box and I think you will need a 6' to cover your wheel width. Next, you have a lot of tractor and if it needs repair already it is probably just a very light duty unit. Probably would be twisted into a pretzel in no time at all.

A bigger stronger tractor requires a higher quality box - else it will turn into scrap iron.

Higher quality box will have thick end plates (3/8 to 1/2"), the scarifiers will be easy to adjust. The rear blade will be bolted down or can swing freely. Weight in the 500-700-1000# range. Industrial versions are at the top end of the weights listed. For a 6' box, anything below 500# is way too fragile for your tractor. 500# is infact very marginal. Clay is a bugger to deal with and if you don't have enough weight it will just skid across the top.


Just my opinion - freely given and worth every cent....


jb

 

[VABlue]

I'll agree with John - clay requires boatloads of weight. I had to run a PTO tiller across my backyard in March and the clay fought valiantly. Had to make several passes to get anything deep enough for a decent seedbed, and the yard had only been sitting for ~1.5 yrs since it was first cleared. The amount of compaction in clay is ridiculous...

 

[jbrumberg]

602466:

Welcome to TBN ! I completely agree with all the posts so far. Jay

 

[greg_g]

If you're lookin' for something to cut new trails through existing foliage and root systems, I'm gonna say that particular is the wrong tool for the job. Compaction in the woods won't be as severe, the roots will have seen to that. I'm thinking small bulldozer to initially carve out the trails, then perhaps a boxblade in the future to maintain them

//greg//

 

[VA Rebel]

I think I paid around $300 for my TSC box blade give or take. With the weld your looking at $200 for a used one that may have other weld issues. I would check new ones before buying this old one.

 

[602466]

Thanks guys for your information. I am going to pass on the used box blade and start looking at a new one.

Wally