Box Scraper box blade, landscape rake, or rear blade

[greenxblue]

Morning everyone! I just joined this morning but I've been reading your posts for some time now. The wisdom here is awesome! I can't tell you how many posts I read to help me make the decision about which tractor to buy for my property. I finally settled on a JD 3520 and I should have it in a couple weeks. I bought it mostly for mowing the 11 out of 23 acres that I want to maintain. I bought the MX5 cutter for my long weeds and grasses. But, of course, now that I see all that this tractor can do, I want to do more.

I have a gravel driveway that is around 400' long. It's in dire need of regrading. Also, my house is basically in the middle of a field and I'd like to level some of the ground around the house and plant some nice buffalo grass there. Problem is, since this is my first tractor, I'm still learning about all the attachments and how to use them. Do you recommend a box blade, landscape rake, or rear blade?? I don't really understand the difference between a box blade and landscape rake. Also, I've read that a box blade can be used for snow removal but I don't really understand how that would work. Seems like it would just collect snow and level it.

Thanks for being patient. I know I'm a little long winded.

Michele

[jb62901]

I prefer the rear blade for a 900' drive and landscaping, not yet used for snow. Used a box blade and like the rear for my use. Home made...

[gordyy]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/a...box-blade.html

a must see thread for anyone looking at getting a boxblade
I learned more from this thread then I did using mine for 10 hours
after reading this I went and redid 10 hrs of work in 2
a box blade is an awesome tool for many things

[Knight]

I was considering selling my box grader for lack of use. ( you can do most of this work with the FEL). I just touched on this subject yesterday. The problem with grading with an non-angled attachment is the build up of material. As you pull material starts to pile up to a point that lifts the attachment( box scraper, rake, etc. By angling, you can flow the material out the side. An attachment that angles tends to keep the finish flat. Box scrapers don't angle, therefore build up material, discharge, create a hump then the process starts all over again. You end up with humps. For a long driveway, maybe pulling a homemade drag. like they do on snowmobile trails. The material will not build up.
Or a rake that is turned on a angle.
I would look into making a drag, using chain link fence or some kind of agressive teeth with weight.

[jenkinsph]

I would consider the 1184 landplane for your tractor very easy to use with good results.
John Deere Ag - New Equipment Features for LP11 Series Land Planes


You could add this to your tractor order



Steve

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

Well, I've got 17 years of experience with all three implements. Of the implements you mentioned the box blade by far is the most versitile implement and would be the best for the chores you need to complete.

[greenxblue]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I reviewed the thread at http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/a...box-blade.html and it has a ton of information. Being brand new to all of this, I'm a little intimidated by all of the info there and I'm worried that I'll make my drive more of a mess than it already is if I don't adjust the links just right. Maybe I'll wait on the box blade until I'm more confident with the tractor. Although I've heard over and over again that it's one of the very best tools to have around. If I get one, I'll just have to take a few days off of work and make sure no one is watching while I'm learning how to use it so that I can screw up in private!

The land plane looks very doable. I'm guessing though that it doesn't do a great job on taking out ruts in the drive. It seems like it would just pull gravel into them, which is good, but I don't know if that solves the underlying problem. I noted in the picture that it has blades. I'm assuming that they scrape instead of cut the high points? Also, I'm assuming that by angling it one way or another, I could create a little bit of a crown in the middle. Is the plane something I could use on the land around my house to level it too or is it just for a driveway type job?

As far as making my own plane goes, I'm not sharp enough for that job. The land plane and the box cutter JD sells isn't all that expensive and I just know that whatever sort of home made monster I would create would send shivers up my spine. I wish I was more handy, but I'm just not. I'm the kind of person that needs and reads the instruction manual.

The rear blade seems like the best for finishing everything off and creating a crown for drainage. I don't know what else I would use a rear blade for though. Would I be able to do the same thing with a front blade?

Again, thanks for all the tips.

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

The rear blade seems like the best for finishing everything off and creating a crown for drainage. I don't know what else I would use a rear blade for though. Would I be able to do the same thing with a front blade?

.

Nope...the box blade is the best for those tasks

[shakin]

the box blade will not work well for snow removal, everything else there's nothing that compares. i bucket the snow out of my drive and then scrape it clean with the box, as said above the box quicklley fill and then it's not real effective i'm going to buy a rear blade they angle and try that this winter.

[timswi]

Well, I have about 850 ft of gravel driveway to deal with. The landscape rake has been the best attachment for dealing with it. It doesn't remove the gravel like a rear blade, just kinda spreads it around and smooths out the road. The blade and box grader do have their place for landscaping and "tool of ignorance" work...The FEL is a godsend for this kind of mainenance as well.

Was going to buy a plow for the BX for snow removal, but the wife said no, so I bought an RTV500 with a snowplow instead...She's happy and I'm happy