Adding weight to box scraper???

[JRP]

I have the free use of an almost new 6' box scraper, but it is the cheapes thing you could call a box scraper. It is made of 1/4" plate and 3" x 3" x 1/8" sq tubing.

I don't know the weight, but it seems to light. It just slides on the top surface. I also have a 6' concrete parking lot stop and thought about adding some steel angle iron to the box scraper to hold the stop so the stop could be used to add weight.

Has anyone had to add weight to a box scraper? Will more weight help?

jrpoux

 

[beenthere]

Will it also be "free" if you tear it up?

 

[Estif]

No need to add weight to my box - it's pretty substantial on its own. Not that I haven't thought about welding on some holders for weights. I'd guess that heavier would be better, right up to where the tractor can't move it. But the way you describe the problem, I'd first ask if you've tried going over with scarifiers down? And have you tried adjusting the top link? It could be you just need to adjust for a more agressive cut.

Did have the need yesterday to weight down a middle buster...one of those impromptu things...threaded some rebar through the triangle where the 3pt attaches, hung weightlifting weights on that and wrapped chain all up and around to make it steady. Worked great. Took pictures to show off the contraption.

Steve

 

[Harv]

jrpoux -

I'm thinking along the same lines as Steve -- your soil might be too hard to do any simple scraping without breaking it up a little first. I have a lot of soil like that. Unless it has been previously worked, the box blade doesn't do much digging, even when tilted aggressively. A couple of passes with the rippers lowered, however, and it's a whole different story. I suppose more weight would make some difference, but I believe box blades are really for moving loose stuff.

This raises the obvious question, though -- does your box scraper have scarifiers, or is it just the box and blades (corral scraper)? You'll need a tool specifically designed for busting up the soil.

 

[JRP]

Free even if I tear it up, but I would fix it. With 68 HP I guess I could do a number on it. It belongs to an employee club where I work. I'm an officer and also take care of the tractor repairs.

A photo of my weight addition is attached. It took about 30 minutes to add this afternoon. It seems to help so far. The scraper sides are only 3/16 thick, not 1/4". This scraper came with "thrown in" with a tractor.

The scarrifiers are pretty short and don't dig in the way I have the top link set right now. I think if I set the top like short that they might dig in.

 

[Estif]

Ahh - in the picture it looks like you're pushing, what I call dozer mode and don't use much. Just can't seem to get it to work well for me. Then, too, I haven't yet added hydraulic top and tilt, so it's a manual adjustment to change from "box mode" to "dozer mode", and with a loader I don't feel the urge to do that when it means lots of manual cranking.

Good deal you've got with the free access. And the mod looks good.

Steve