Rear Blade Will a boxblade do this?

[S3man]

Hey all, wanting to know if a boxblade on a 40hp 2 wheel drive tractor will push over saplings "dozer style" in reverse? Soil conditions are N AL not sandy or red clay just standard soil. The saplings are actually small trees 1 -3 inch in diameter. I hate to spend $450 on an experiment and don't really have much need for a BB other than that. Thanks

 

[MESSMAKER]

It depends on the tree. Those with small root structure will pop right out but a 3" tree with strong roots will stop you in your tracks.

 

[KYDan]

Save your money and hire it done. 3 point hitches are not designed to handle reverse pressure forces and traction is questionable using 2WD.

 

[swick1]

I'd consider renting a mini excavator. It can do a lot more than push them over and it will only cost about $300-400 for the weekend.

 

[MrChris]

The 3pt is really designed for pulling not pushing. Your much more likely to bend or break something pushing.

 

[stingray1]

No,I'd try something else.

 

[S3man]

Thanks for the answers, never thought about the 3pt hitch and it not being designed for reverse work. How about forward as long as I don't have anything exposed on the under carriage? I agree there are better tools for the job. I just want to hit a few at a time as time allows so that rules out the rentals for now. Would a compact 4 wd with a front end loader fare any better?

 

[Deere Dude]

My experience with a BB. Backed into a fresh dirt pile with 4WD and really pushing and bent a lift arm. Backed into a big tree accidentally and bent another one. Was pulling forward with a big load of dirt and the 45 HP 3720 was grunting and I hit a 4" cut off stump just below the surface and bent the center of the Box Blade enough to where I had to get it straightened. So just be careful when pulling or pushing around that will stop you abruptly.

 

[nybirdman]

As stated;good way to break something expensive.Wrong tool for the job.Do you have a FEL?

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for the answers, never thought about the 3pt hitch and it not being designed for reverse work. How about forward as long as I don't have anything exposed on the under carriage? I agree there are better tools for the job. I just want to hit a few at a time as time allows so that rules out the rentals for now. Would a compact 4 wd with a front end loader fare any better?

As mentioned, it is just the wrong tool for the job and I love a box blade. I've tried this with our 2WD Fords and while I didn't break anything, it can happen and just isn't a good idea. Driving over them can work, but the trees aren't going to just pop out and a 3" is just going to stop you and on the others you are just going to mangle them. These results won't improve much with 4WD and FEL.

Our method is to cut them down with larger tractors and appropriately rated rotary cutters. When I was able, I just used a chain saw and used the box blade to push them into a pile.

Good luck.