Soil Moisture for Box Blading

[rps]

I am about to start my first box blade project, repairing my gravel driveway. I have read several "how to" threads and am glad I read them before starting. Several folks said that to work dirt with a box blade the dirt needs to be "not too wet and not to dry." Can you give me an idea about how to tell when the dirt is in this "just right" range?

Thanks for your help.

Robert

 

[bgott]

We have a lot of clay around here. I haven't seen it too dry to work but, if you fill the blade and it stays full when you raise it all the way up, the dirt is too wet. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[CTyler]

You can work it up as long as it isn't muddy otherwise it sticks unless you carefull. I have used my BB to pull off top mud to spread and dry it. Just don't pack it in the box.

You can work it when its really dry as well however it doesn't seem to pack all that great. Of course you can always spray it down and pack.

I'm not an expert on this but slightly damp seemed to be about the best. Take a hand full of dirt and sqeeze it. If it kinda sticks together you got it made. At least that is what my dirt is like. Mostly black top soil and brown dirt in areas. My driveway was built mostly with the brown dirt.

 

[cstocks]

I heard that! Just keeps rolling up and makes a giant clay/gumbo jellyroll inside the box that won't come out unless you subject it to "shaken boxblade syndrome!"

 

[rps]

Thanks for your help.

It sounds like there is a wide range that will work as long as it is not muddy. Now I just need the weather to cooperate. After four years of drought, this year it has been hard to put a few dry days together. I am not complaining. I just want to be able to get on my tractor. I am going to have to use the bush hog on my yard to get it into shape for the finishing mower.

Again, thanks.

Robert

 

[MLB]

Too dry makes for a lot of dust. Wear a mask.