Box Scraper Box Blade Braking on Ice

[CrazyQ]

I'm at some crossroads here on my driveway. The driveway is long and steep in places. I was considering a pto sander but I'm not sure I can justify one even after all the ice last winter. I can make much better use out of a box blade next summer. I'm ok with continuing to sand by hand but am nervous about taking the tractor down the driveway. Has anyone used a box blade to slow/control their way down icy roads before? I could sprinkle a bucket of sand for traction as I go and maybe the BB would help distribute sand behind me??? I realize chains are the best bet here for traction but my budget is only going to allow for one or the other. Any ideas???

 

[JoeL4330]

fill the box blade with sand and go down in reverse?

 

[Reg]

I'm at some crossroads here on my driveway. The driveway is long and steep in places. I was considering a pto sander but I'm not sure I can justify one even after all the ice last winter. I can make much better use out of a box blade next summer. I'm ok with continuing to sand by hand but am nervous about taking the tractor down the driveway. Has anyone used a box blade to slow/control their way down icy roads before? I could sprinkle a bucket of sand for traction as I go and maybe the BB would help distribute sand behind me??? I realize chains are the best bet here for traction but my budget is only going to allow for one or the other. Any ideas???

Yeah, get the chains.
At least you'll have a CHANCE of living long enough to EVENTUALLY be able to afford both.


If you try to use a box blade as a brake.... put the rippers down and suck the top link up as tight as you can.
Open the 3pt lowering speed control knob all the way.
Keep the scarifiers an inch off the driveway, keep your hand on the position control.
I still doubt that you will find the right reflex if/when you get a nasty slide, specially if this will be your first time out with a BB - which brings me back to my first suggestion, just get the chains.

 

[foggy1111]

I have to assume you have a blacktop or pavement driveway? How steep of a grade is it?

Sand is cheap.....add the sand and/or salt....AND.....GET THE CHAINS ON!!

If you can swing it...get the box blade too (I can find em for as little as $300 this time of year) and rig it as said above.

 

[easygo]

As it was posted before a lot would depend on the grade of your driveway. Does it have a curve or two? If the drive is black top the box blade would just hurt it if you used it as a brake. That DK 45 must weigh a lot and it would probably take a lot to stop it if you go sliding. My vote would be for a set of rear chains to save a bit of seed money for the box blade.

 

[CrazyQ]

I have to assume you have a blacktop or pavement driveway? How steep of a grade is it?

Gravel. But it gets real icy. The steepest part is about 3H:1V

 

[Ford850]

That's steep. I would get the chains if you get a lot of ice. Tnother thought would be to use #8 crushed stone sprinkled from your bucket. I think the 8s would last a lot longer on the ice and give deeper bite than sand. That would also top dress your drive through the winter and add some value the rest of the year.

 

[teg]

Chains with "V" bar... The box blade doesn't have down pressure and if the ice is bad, it may just scrape or scratch the surface. Beside, my neighbor bought chains and we have not had Ice since

 

[mbohuntr]

Put on the backblade, and build a box to hold some "ice guard sand", My drive was the same way, and I got tired of sliding into the road w/my 4wd plow truck. Even dropping the plow didn't slow me down. I went to the local crushed stone place that the sanders load up at. This stuff is like miniature gravel, but acts like sandpaper on the ice.. Great stuff!!!

 

[pitt_md]

fill the box blade with sand and go down in reverse?

Have you seen a box blade?