Box Scraper Box blade for laying Low Voltage cable

[Squeak n Itch]

I am thinking of using only the middle tine of a box blade to make a shallow furrow for laying a couple of short lengths of low voltage yard lighting cable. Before I go ahead, has anyone done this before and does it work or am I just going to mess up the yard? Advice please.

 

[RadarTech]

There have alot of discussions about this kind of thing in the past.

If it were me, I would go looking for a subsoiler or a middle buster.
Tractor Supply Company - Middle Buster

Tractor Supply Company - Sub-Soiler

you could also check the local rental stores..
I think your idea may work.. but it could make a mess...


good luck!

later,
Jim

 

[kennyd]

As Radartech suggested, the bob blade is not the right implement for the job-those two he referred you to are a much better choice.
I made my own "cable layer" from a box blade ripper...if you search there are a few other who have done the same thing.

 

[KevPH1]

I used a middle buster modified similar to Kenny's. I folded the rops bar halfway and pinned in place. Using a few C-clamps,a couple of scrape 2"-4"'s drilled to allow a piece of 1" black pipe.
(Axle to hold a coil of wire for spooling)

Mount wire spool to black pipe axle, above the middle buster. (Wire to spool freely)Feed wire thru guide PVC tube, worm drive clamped the rear side of Middle Buster tooth shack. Tie the wire to stake into a hand dug hole, at the starting location. Start the Middle Buster from the hand dug start hole. Lower middle buster slowly to depth while moving forward SLOWLY.
Avoid rocks, tree roots, and any other known underground obstacles. No sharp turns!
Operating a Middle Buster, while spooling cable, in reverse is not recommended!

The above instruction will allow for a one man operation. A helper,working from the side, can feed the wire if you cannot mount the wire spool to the tractor. Be very careful!

Good luck!

 

[Squeak n Itch]

As Radartech suggested, the bob blade is not the right implement for the job-those two he referred you to are a much better choice.
I made my own "cable layer" from a box blade ripper...if you search there are a few other who have done the same thing.

This one gets the "People's Choice" award for the best use of Zip ties!!
Thanks for the input.

 

[InspectorGadget]

Martin,
I purchased a piece if 1/2" X 2 1/2" X 24" steel and drilled a hole for mounting in the center tooth position of my box blade and furrowed a trench and burring a 1" PVC conduit 18" deep. I see no reason this would not work for your intended purpose.
This mod cost me a total of $17.00 for the steel purchased from my local welding shop.
Good luck C-YA RL