Box Scraper Can someone distinguish a box scraper and a grader

   / Can someone distinguish a box scraper and a grader #1  

adirondacktrac

New member
Joined
Oct 14, 2009
Messages
23
Location
Eastern Adirondacks of NYS
Tractor
JD-855
Have been reading the threads about box scrapers. I have a half mile road to look out for and it is full of washboard. Can anyone distinguish, in layman's terms, the difference between a box scraper (box blade) and a grader. Price comparison helpful too.
Thanks
 
   / Can someone distinguish a box scraper and a grader #2  
Take a ride on the INTERNET and explore the options.:thumbsup:

There are significant differences, prices and requirements to pull them.:)

Then start narrowing down the options that will meet your needs!:D
 
   / Can someone distinguish a box scraper and a grader #3  
A box blade requires more practice/skill than the drag behind scraper graders,which are probably as close to "autopilot" as you can get.
Brian
 
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   / Can someone distinguish a box scraper and a grader #4  
Box scraper AKA box blade is the tool to use for grading out dirt (such as putting in a yard at a new home construction site), spreding NEW gravel on a driveway, cutting a drainage swell across a lot, etc. costs (for a 5-6 ft.) from $500 for an el chepo model, to over $1000 for a heavy duty one. Some skill and practice required, it would work for re-working your drive, but with the advent of graders such as grademaster, it's no contest. A grader tool is pulled behind the tractor, the first blade rips up the crown in the road, large pcs of gravel and "fines" are mixed in the middle, and the rear blade lays everything down nicely. It may take 2-3 passes to get everything perfect, but PERFECT is the end result. No great skill required, just drag the grader around and provided you had enough gravel to start with, you have a like new drive, crowns, washboards, ruts, holes all gone! Several manufacturers have videos (also youtube) Most costs $1000-$1800, mine came from J&I manf. Madill Ok. (called a shermanator ? ) and my 6ft. cost $700. It is the best tractor implement I have!
Jack
 
   / Can someone distinguish a box scraper and a grader #5  
A grader blade such as a GradeMaster is going to be about the best implement that you can get to remove washboarding on your road. It is in my opinion the best implement to maintain a dirt road. I don't know what size an 855 is, but I would get a medium to heavy duty blade not much wider than your tractor and go to work. You will be very happy with the results.

Products
 
   / Can someone distinguish a box scraper and a grader #6  
For maintaining a gravel road I recommend a box blade...

without scarifiers you will never be able to really fix any pot holes...

You described "washboards" as part of your problem....this indicates that the run-off is being allowed to run down the course of the road...when it should be being pitched to a ditch on one side or the other (or both)...

A box blade is the ideal tool ( along with your adjustable side link) to creating and maintaining a crown or pitch to your road...

running a planer/scraper across a road full of washboards and make it nice and smooth...but it won't solve the problem and after enough rainfall the washboards will be back....

I suppose it is a trade off...fix (pitch) the road and get the run-off into ditches and not the road...you end up having to maintain the ditches and culverts...and not so much the road...
 
   / Can someone distinguish a box scraper and a grader #7  
For maintaining a gravel road I recommend a box blade...

without scarifiers you will never be able to really fix any pot holes...

You described "washboards" as part of your problem....this indicates that the run-off is being allowed to run down the course of the road...when it should be being pitched to a ditch on one side or the other (or both)...

A box blade is the ideal tool ( along with your adjustable side link) to creating and maintaining a crown or pitch to your road...

running a planer/scraper across a road full of washboards and make it nice and smooth...but it won't solve the problem and after enough rainfall the washboards will be back....

I suppose it is a trade off...fix (pitch) the road and get the run-off into ditches and not the road...you end up having to maintain the ditches and culverts...and not so much the road...


Don't know where you live , or the ground conditions that you have, but where I am, traffic makes the washboards, not any water.
 
   / Can someone distinguish a box scraper and a grader #8  
Yes rapid velocity of vehicles starts the effect but it is greatly compounded by storm water run-off especially on hills especially curving hills... the only way to prevent the effect on perfectly flat roads is to limit the speed...
 
   / Can someone distinguish a box scraper and a grader #9  
Where I live and the washboard I see is on dirt roads that appear to be very flat. I don't think water could be the cause.
 
 
 
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