Considering a box blade

   / Considering a box blade #1  

namyessam

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I am considering a box blade. I have a moldboard plow, rear blade and single gang disc. Can someone explain the advantages of a box blade over a standard rear blade? I need to move dirt from one area to build up a building site and create the proper drainage ditch away from the building. Would this one attachment save a lot of time rather than break up the area with a moldboard plow and disc then move and shape with the rear blade. Whats the quality of King Kutter? We have Tractor Supply close for now. We will have a Mills Fleet Farm open soon in the area, but am not familiar with the brands they carry. Thanks
 
   / Considering a box blade #2  
It sounds like a box blade would be good for you. Here is a link with a video on how to use a box blade (scroll to bottom) as well as some box blades.


http://www.(Temporarily blocked due to reports of company closure)/Box-Blade-Box-Scraper-s/85.htm
 
   / Considering a box blade #3  
Box blades are good for moving earth. Don't get one too big for your tractor or you'll bog down. They can drag a few cubic feet of dirt at a time because they don't shed it like a regular blade. I'm guessing you don't have a FEL or you could just use it. I am very fond of a BB for many things... I have smoothed out and moved gardens, and - by angling it with teeth down - tilled too. Do look around for a used BB. They are practically indestructible and you can sometimes find them for half of what you spend for one new. There is a big disparity among BB prices. Some are obviously very heavy and others are less weight and less cost. I have had King Kutters and never had reason to complain. They have taken all the work I can give them without problem. Once backed into a tree with one and bent the hitch support, but just had a nearby farmer straighten them out and it was good as new.
 
   / Considering a box blade #4  
I bought a 66" King Kutter box blade for my little montana a couple of years ago, strickly to smooth gravel on about 1/4 mile of driveway, which was a pain with a back blade. Now it stays on the tractor most all the time now. Gotta be one of the most useful implements I own, which are a bunch. The rippers are already there, so no need to switch implements to loosen soil or dig up roots or turf. Great counter weight for the FEL, as they are heavy and short. Good for spreading and carrying material short distances and filling low spots as the material is contained within the "box" and can't spill off the end of the blade enroute. Watch the video in the post above this and you'll be convinced. I have had no problems with the King Cutter brand at all, but I believe any good quality (heavy) one will work as well.....Dan.
 
   / Considering a box blade #5  
I would get one atleast as wide as your tractor. I have a 7' wide box blade for my Mahindra 5035. Some folks mention about getting not getting one too big. If moving heavy clay I do have to adjust bite angle and scarifer depths or the tractor bogs down. But wider is really nice for moving gravel or lighter material. Good luck. Hope this may help. Go to the everything attachments website and watch the box blade videos. Very helpful website.
 
   / Considering a box blade #6  
I rooted around for years without a box blade....... Doing what you described switching between implements to do different tasks, That did work but I am REALLY glad I finally broke down and bought a box blade. The time saved by more aggressive scarification with the ability to move material in one pass was greatly underestimated by me

For me the box blade GREAT time saver, very low maintenance, very versatile and excellent ballast. My box is on the tractor almost as much as the loader:D

Buy a "heavy duty" model because those tend to be heavier and weight is how they work. Plus, the build of a heavy duty model will give better life expectancy.
 
   / Considering a box blade #7  
It is pretty hard to offer advice without know tractor and soil specifics. You really need information tailored to your tractor and soil.
 
   / Considering a box blade #8  
In 1989 I had to do the final grading on the yard for my newly constructed house. My FIL didn't have a box blade. That was the first implement I purchased and I didn't own a tractor! It has been a heavily used implement on the farm since. Drive ways, grading for a slab foundation, cleaning the barn out, fixing waterways/swales, smoothing ruts in the pastures and fixing washes in the fields have all been among the uses. My neighbor used it to dig a basement UNDER his existing house! I don't know how but he said the BB made it possible. I didn't watch but I saw his finished basement later.

So yes you will see lots of uses for a BB and it will be a good investment. Mine was $275 new back then! I can't stand near a new one as good for that price! Shop for a good used one!
 
   / Considering a box blade
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Well, I pullled the trigger. Bought a new King Kutter 72 inch box blade. I have a new pole barn on order and need to get the site ready. The earlier the site is ready the sooner construction can start. So that kind of ruled out a used one. I looked on CL a few days and none were listed, so I started calling around and getting prices. I picked it up this past Friday and if the weather continues, I should start moving dirt next weekend. Thanks to all for the advice and info. It looks I can keep it pretty busy with a number of projects. Thanks again.
 
   / Considering a box blade
  • Thread Starter
#10  
I gave the box blade a good workout this past weekend. I put 4.8 hours on the tacometer on the 135 Massey. I think I had more like 7 hours in the seat though. I can not believe the excellent job the box blade did. All this was hard packed black dirt. I was able to create a drainage ditch through the yard and around the building. I I used all the dirt from the ditch to level out the building site. Although it seems crazy, I estimate that I moved about 14 cubic yards of dirt. I know I moved a lot of dirt. It doesn't seem possible but based on the fill needed, thats what it figures out to be. The six rippers were level with the bottom of the box, so I took someones advice and shortened the top link and tipped the front of the box down to engage the rippers more. It worked great! Once I got through the sod, I was able to peel off layer by layer and drop the dirt where I needed it. I had no problem with horsepower with the 135 gasser, only a few times when I had the box full, one tire would start to spin in the loose fill, but differential lock kept me moving. Once construction is complete, I will use it to clean up and put the final grade before seeding the new lawn.

Its worth every dollar I spent.
Thanks again for everyones advice.
Dan
 
 
 
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