Box Blading in reverse

[3RRL]

3RRL,

Do you by chance have any pictures you could post of the reinforcement. Also, how did you go about straightening the links, I'm assuming torch and anvil? Mine did not bend bad enough to stop using, but I look at it and it drives me nuts! I'd like to reinforce it like you have described and have access to welding equipment and a welder, once I get the link straight. I have no intention of getting too confident once it's reinforced and will still take it cautiously, but would like to have it look right in the meantime. I'll need an answer soon....winter is on it's way, ha! Dyer, retired

John, Here is a link to when I bent them and straightened them out.

Pushing In New Roads and Trails

It was while I was cutting in some new roads and trails. I used a hydraulic press and a little heat to straighten back. Then I used some old scarifiers from my boxblade and welded them onto the bottom. The scarifiers are slightly heat treated so they are very strong. They are just under 3/4" thick or so, and about 2-1/2" wide. I put them where the links would most likely bend.

Here are some photos of the links before the repair.



These show them straightened out and the "T" reinforcement. I put several heavy duty beads of weld on them. No problems since that repair.

 

[Highbeam]

Here's a funny thought. If you are in reverse backing up and loading the rear blade of the BB, isn't the top link in tension? If you pretzel your top link then it was done going forward. The top link is in tension while reversing since the draft arms attach to the BB above the box. The lower links of the 3ph would be in compression and no doubt more likely to be damaged than when used in tension.

I have used the heck out of my BB in reverse. I find that it works similarly to a bulldozer in pushing a nice level path out for the tractor to drive over. Filling stump holes, smoothing terrain, pushing trees over, etc.

 

[Dyer retired]

John, Here is a link to when I bent them and straightened them out.

Pushing In New Roads and Trails

It was while I was cutting in some new roads and trails. I used a hydraulic press and a little heat to straighten back. Then I used some old scarifiers from my boxblade and welded them onto the bottom. The scarifiers are slightly heat treated so they are very strong. They are just under 3/4" thick or so, and about 2-1/2" wide. I put them where the links would most likely bend.

Rob,

Thanks for the info. and pictures. You wouldn't think your description was confusing and, it turns out, it wasn't, but I base everything I look at on my tractor design. The reason I was not understanding how you did it was becasue my links are bent from the factory in two spots to give them more width (almost like yours ended up after you bent yours, only made that way.) Amazingly, my lower link didn't bend at the factory bend, but on the long straight piece, which surprised me. I think I've figured out how I might do mine based on your pictures and will let you know how they hold up. I appreciate you taking the time to post the photos and further description....I'm guessing you won't have any problems with those links bending again! Thanks, John

 

[3RRL]

John, glad the pictures and thread helped you.
Mine bent at the straight section too. Right where the stabilizers connect to the straight part. And you are right, I've had no further problems at all with them since doing that reinforcement "T".

 

[Leejohn]

Highbeam Right on!!!

 

[Dyer retired]

John, glad the pictures and thread helped you.
Mine bent at the straight section too. Right where the stabilizers connect to the straight part. And you are right, I've had no further problems at all with them since doing that reinforcement "T".

I went to the dealer this morning and ordered up two new drag links for the tractor. I'm going to use sections of the old links to reinforce the new ones in much the way you did. I will still take it easy....my fear is getting too comfortable with reinforced links and destroying something else a lot more costly to replace. I also found out today that Saturdays are not the best time to hit the parts counter at my dealer (they are only open until noon,) because one person ahead of me was ordering an umbrella for his tractor, but couldn't do it without first calling his wife at the counter. The next guy ahead of me just wanted to get a price check on several items to see if he could get them cheaper from the internet....and told the parts person this. Ultimately, he took up 30 minutes of everyone's time and walked out the door without spending a penny. I did find the prices for my order to be in line with Messick's, but I won't be paying the shipping, so I saved a few dollars on that end. Dyer, retired

 

[Dyer retired]

I must have double clutched that last post and inserted your quote twice. Another 20 years and I'll have this all figured out. Dyer, retired

 

[3RRL]

Hahaha, yeah, I saw that.
I thought you did it for me, because I might have forgotten what I said right after you quoted it?
You know how old age is.
Pretty soon I'll be able to hide my own Easter eggs.

 

[Dyer retired]

Hahaha, yeah, I saw that.
I thought you did it for me, because I might have forgotten what I said right after you quoted it?
You know how old age is.
Pretty soon I'll be able to hide my own Easter eggs.

Let's hope we're not hiding our own Easter eggs too soon, ha! I don't feel that old, but I do notice that a lot of people my age are and younger are showing up in the Obits. My Obituary will read: "He loved his wife, kids, tractor, sailing, and at the end.....hiding his own Easter eggs." Dyer, retired

 

[Bird]

I must have double clutched that last post and inserted your quote twice. Another 20 years and I'll have this all figured out. Dyer, retired

OK, so I took the duplicate quote out, so people can wonder what you're talking about. Now if I could just remember what an Easter egg is . . .