Box Scraper Box Scraper with Hinged Rear Blade

[aquetrac]

I just got my Box Scraper, its a 54" Kubota model 7554 with a hinged rear blade on it. I tried it out on my B1750HSD today and the tractor handled it fine (I also have a B21 which will handle it even better). What I am not sure about is the rear hinged blade. When I want to take less of a bite in the soil, normally you would angle the box backwards (raise the front) which lifts the front cutting blade up and lowers the rear blade which smooths the dirt. What happens with the hindged rear blade is as you raise the front blade the rear one goes down but then pivots upward. This puts no pressure on the rear blade and the front blade does not raise and still takes a large bite of the soil.
I'm thinking of just welding the hinged blade shut so it operates like a standard box scraper. Am I doing something wrong here? Has anyone out there experienced this lack of depth control with a hinged rear blade? Please let me know if you have any fixes for this.

[seapea]

What you just described is the reason I don't plan on getting a hinged box blade. I think for the skilled tractor user (and possibly with the addition of position control), there may be advantages to a hinged blade. For the novice, I think having a fixed back blade probably makes things easier. I still have to get my box blade, so I haven't put any of this to the test yet.

BTW, how much did you pay for yours?

[aquetrac]

I paid about the same as a Woods 60" blade. I wanted the 54" because I did not think my B1750 would handle one that big. BTW Kubota is getting away from the landscape attachment business, that's why they partnered with Landpride.
I reviewed many posts abort the hinged blade and most describe the problems I am having. Somehow I will bolt the back blade shut and still have the option the use the hinges if the need arises.

[DuaneW]

Aqua,
I believe that in order to take less bite you would need to shorten the top link, not lengthen it. Think of shredding cheese with a knife, you would tilt the knife forward to take a small bite and get a sliver, tilt the knife back, and it will dig in and give you a nice thick slice. The swinging rear blade allows the box blade to pivot on the front blade at all angles ( if going in the forward direction ), It also allows you to flip it up for finish work by back dragging, something very difficult to do with a fixed rear blade ( will want to cut, not slide ). You will gain experience with the blade, and then you will be GLAD you bought a better blade with the swinging rear knife.

DuaneW.

[aquetrac]

Duane,

Thanks for the ideas. I did try both making the top link longer and then shorter. The soil I was working in was very soft so it still took a big bite. By shortening the top link the box sides lower and the cutting blade in the box raises but on soft soil the sides penetrate and the blade still bites big. I'll try again, maybe its me!

[mojoinco]

The swinging rear blade is great to help smooth things out. Just a simple drag then. I like mine as it is.

[blagg]

I just used mine today for the first time. It is a 72" fixed back blade. The project was a 1 year old gravel driveway 600 plus feet long. High in the middle and outside edges, low in the tire grooves. I had the box set level, took a swipe right down the middle. Then tilted the blade low to outside edge and made a pass down both sides of road. Removed the box scraper and installed a 72" landscape rake and angled it to pull to the center of the road. Made a pass down both sides and then the middle. Left a nice crown and deposited gravel to some small low areas where the blade missed. I think the two worked well together. I dont know if a hinged back would have been any better or not. I do know a fixed back did a very nice job!!!