Buck
Platinum Member
Two weeks ago, having read most of the discussions about box blades, I was very unsure that it was a tool that I could use effectively. As several threads have detailed, box blade popularity appears to be a function of geography and geology. I spoke to several dealers (upstate NY, near Lake Ontario) who told me that they sell very few box blades and that they questioned their usefulness. My local John Deere dealer told me that he never sold a box blade. Therefore, I was unsure whether this thing would do what I wanted in my location.
I went ahead and bought one anyway. I am very happy.
It works beyond my expectations. I had been clearing an area of thick brush, using a chain saw for small saplings and smoothing the underbrush with my FEL. I can now literally clear these areas with a couple of passes with the box blade. The soil becomes very loose and I can easily pick it up if needed with my FEL. Better than this, the roots of the saplings are effortlessly pulled out yielding a superb finish. And yes, the soil has stones, glacial till, but they do not cause any problems.
When I bought by tractor, about six weeks ago, I was somewhat disappointed in the effort needed to get soil up with my FEL. Now I am very happy. Within a couple of hours, I was able to amass a huge pile of topsoil from a hard, but topsoil rich area of my property. I was also able to contour the area in very esthetically pleasing way.
I am writing this because I know there are others around here that must be debating the wisdom of this purchase. It is easy to understand when the locals tell you one thing and forums such as this tell you something different. My recommendation: Go ahead and do it! My box blade has dramatically increased the utility of my tractor.
Downsides:
1) Be careful if you have a mid-mount mower.
2) Make sure you have time to use it. You won’t want to stop. I don’t want you to miss work!
Buck
I went ahead and bought one anyway. I am very happy.
It works beyond my expectations. I had been clearing an area of thick brush, using a chain saw for small saplings and smoothing the underbrush with my FEL. I can now literally clear these areas with a couple of passes with the box blade. The soil becomes very loose and I can easily pick it up if needed with my FEL. Better than this, the roots of the saplings are effortlessly pulled out yielding a superb finish. And yes, the soil has stones, glacial till, but they do not cause any problems.
When I bought by tractor, about six weeks ago, I was somewhat disappointed in the effort needed to get soil up with my FEL. Now I am very happy. Within a couple of hours, I was able to amass a huge pile of topsoil from a hard, but topsoil rich area of my property. I was also able to contour the area in very esthetically pleasing way.
I am writing this because I know there are others around here that must be debating the wisdom of this purchase. It is easy to understand when the locals tell you one thing and forums such as this tell you something different. My recommendation: Go ahead and do it! My box blade has dramatically increased the utility of my tractor.
Downsides:
1) Be careful if you have a mid-mount mower.
2) Make sure you have time to use it. You won’t want to stop. I don’t want you to miss work!
Buck
