Box blade users: What is "level"?

   / Box blade users: What is "level"? #1  

jimgerken

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Box blade users: What is \"level\"?

When setting the angle of the box blade using an adjustable top link (manual or hydraulic), what do we consider as "level", or neutral? In other words, angling it forward/downward in the front gives a more aggressive cut when moving forward, and biasing it upward gives a more smoothing action, correct? What is right in the middle, is it where both the front and rear blades are touching the ground evenly? It really has nothing to do with the angle of the side shields, right?
 
   / Box blade users: What is "level"? #2  
Re: Box blade users: What is \"level\"?

Besides the top link affecting the relationship between the cutting edges and the ground, it also affects the relationship between the scarifiers, the cutting edges, and the ground.

IMO, there is no "neutral" setting, or, at any rate, it isn't useful. You set the top link where you need it for the action you want to take. You can't count on that setting being right for long, because as conditions change your top link must change too.
 
   / Box blade users: What is "level"? #3  
Re: Box blade users: What is

Jim,
I see it the same way you do. When I first start on my road, I have the front blade lower to dig and fill in the potholes.To finish, I adjust both blades to touch, then skim as it seems to result in a smoother finish. Is is level or neutral? Don't know, its just the way I do it.
 
   / Box blade users: What is "level"? #4  
Re: Box blade users: What is \"level\"?

Jim, I start with both blades touching as a reference point then adjust from there. On my box blade (King Kutter 66") the side plates are angled front up with both blades touching on level concrete. It's all trial and error (mostly error) after that /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 
   / Box blade users: What is "level"? #5  
Re: Box blade users: What is

Jim,

I believe you've got it, ol' boy/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. Others who say there is no "neutral" are probably thinking:

forward somehat for digging, more forward, more aggressive digging
Backward somewhat for spreading, more backward, thicker layer spreading faster

I think they left out the middle, or "neutral" position you are asking about - somewhere in-between forward and backward. I have found that "neutral" - when both blades are touching the ground - is great for moving dirt from a pile, over a relatively even surface (like grass), to another location (like a hole or depression in the lawn). Without knowing where neutral is on the top link, I would have to eyeball it every time. Instead, I know (approximately) how many threads should be exposed on the top link, so I can quickly adjust. Soon, I will do that with hydraulics/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
 
 
 
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