Straight Blade -vs- Box Blade

[coyote_hills]

Hi all...

I'm trying to figure out whether to purchase a box blade or just a straight blade. All I'm wanting to do is keep the gravel in my driveway fairly smoothed out and to occasionally smooth out some dirt (maybe only once or twice a year for that). Same thing with removing snow (we don't get too much around here, but, occasionally).

I've never used a box blade, but, have used a straight blade before for quite a bit of dirt work around the house and had great luck with that... as you can angle the blade one direction or another. I'd like to not spend the money on a box blade if I really don't need it. What are the advantages a box blade has over a straight/angle blade?

Thanks
Ken
Kubota L3710 hst/fel

 

[bam747]

Although a box blade has definite advantages at specific tasks over a straight blade, I would think it would be less than optimal for removing snow since you can't angle it to deposit snow to the side as you move the box blade forward or backward (with the blade reversed).

One option I've seen for some straight blades are bolt or pin on side plates. Although this doesn't give you a full box blade, you do get side plates to help contain material as you pull it forward or, with a reversed blade, push it backward. I should note that the blades I've seen which offer side plates tend to be heavier duty and more expensive models.

One example of a rear blade with pin on side plates for the Rhino brand can be found here.

Many other blade manufactures offer side plates as an option, so check to see if they are available for any blade you might be interested in.

 

[skipmarcy]

I'll give you my 1 cents' worth - I have never used a grader blade but have used my 6' boxblade very extensively for about 7 years now and I feel the boxblade is much more versatile than a grader blade, except for the fact that it can be angled - could be a big plus for snow. When I bought my Atlas boxblade used, I paid $150 for it and I think at the time they were going for around $350 brand new. It is probably considered a "lightweight" boxblade but let me tell you, it's one tough piece of equipment !! I use it for doing all kinds of grading of course, but it's also a mini-bulldozer in reverse. I have removed all kinds of brush & small stumps with it and moved all kinds of stuff around with it - all without getting off the tractor. You also have the scarifiers for really doing some serious grading and the rigidness to tilt it with your 3pt and do some shallow ditching. Having the ability to drag a load of material lets you fill in the low spots alot quicker. If you don't have an excessive amount of snow plowing to do, I would think you could plow in reverse with the boxblade and angle it off the road/driveway. I can see where alot of plowing like this could get old quick, but if you don't have that much I just think the versatility of the boxblade is much better. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[greg_g]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( All I'm wanting to do is keep the gravel in my driveway fairly smoothed out and to occasionally smooth out some dirt (maybe only once or twice a year for that). )</font>

Maybe you don't need a blade at all. For those two jobs, I hook up either my chain harrow or my landscape rake.

Can't move much snow with a harrow, but there is an attachment you can put inside rake tines to turn it temporarily into a light duty scraper blade. and of course, you can index a landscape rake.

//greg//

 

[coyote_hills]

Thanks for all the input gentlemen. I just think I'm leaning towards a straight/grader blade because of the things i've been able to do with one in the past and the simplicity of it. I already have a front end loader for moving loads of stuff around. I do see the advantage of having an actual 'box' that could drag more material around, but, unless there's something I'm missing dealing w/ box blades, I think a straight blade would work best for me.

Yeah... I realize that had I used a box blade first... I'd most likely feel the other way /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Oh well, everybody wants to change the world, but, we can't change ourselves can we?!? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks
Ken

 

[FL_Cracker]

Don't over look greg g statement about a landscape rake. I have a 3200' gravel drive and the two main tools I use to "DRESS" it is the landscape rake and drag harrow. The landscrape rake is a lot like the scrape blade but with flexible tines. It lets some dirt and gravel pass through and pulls the rest. You can angle it and with the adustment of the tilt arm you can drag the gravel up to the center of the road and renew the crown.

 

[Soundguy]

Untill you mentioned snow removal.. I'd say you could have used the box blade.. but in your case.. sounds like a grader blade it is. ( box is great for moving material. )

Soundguy