OP
Novice Brit
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2014
- Messages
- 57
- Tractor
- JD 2032R
Curious what other uses you have for the box blade and rake?
I use all of these mentioned attachments and get good results out of them. For a novice a box blade has the longest learning curve when attempting to get a good finish. I use a box blade more often when I need to change grade on a field, for instance when I need to reshape areas requiring a cut and fill. If you need to make larger cuts and move the dirt into low areas to make corrections the box blade is a good choice.
Where I need to perform smoothing tasks where the dirt is moved a minimal distance such as you describe a land plane grader scraper(lpgs) or fel bucket is my choice. I use a fel bucket when it is a small job because it is handy and or available without the need to change rear implements. The lpgs is much easier to use on larger areas, does a good job of smoothing over bumps and holes and is an easy attachment to utilize for a novice. Most people use a lpgs to smooth driveways and gravel roads, I find that they are also good for smoothing lawn and field areas too.
I use landscape rakes primarily when I need to collect surface debris and perform minor smoothing. Great tool to have when you need to do clean up tasks. I find I use them more when starting a job and need to clear the debris such as sticks, vegetation and surface rocks that deter finish grading. While you can use them to smooth a field they are not as good for this as a lpgs which is more precise.
I find that having top and tilt for the 3 ph is very beneficial, particularly for box blade work. I would buy the tnt before any of the secondary use implements on my list.
If it were me and starting from scratch I would buy a tractor with fel, landscape rake if there is lots of surface debris, lpgs and a tiller. I would consider whether I could get by with steel posts and simple post driver for the fencing and hold out for a hydraulic auger buy or rent when needed. A seeder or broadcast spreader is another useful tool, depending on the need you may be able to get by with a walk behind while getting started. I am fortunate to have a good variety of implements to work with but I did build these up over the years. If money is tight you really need to think about which implements are the most useful and save you the most time and labor.
Here are a few pics of the implements I use the most for lawn and pasture smoothing and grading along with a post hole digger. While I have a large and small landscape rake, box blade, tiller, lpgs, and seeder the ones pictured get the most use.
Thanks a lot, really appreciate the time you have given this. The box blade is intended for boar affected areas, other uneven areas and aiding restoration of a short gravel driveway. The landscape rake for maintaining the driveway when renovated and gathering of waste material as i clear brambles. There are a lot, I had blackberries that concealed large fruit trees! The fruit trees are now exposed but there are a lot of blackberries elsewhere. Points taken re lpgs, suspect the landscape rake if heavy duty enough can aid restoration of the driveway. Like the sound of ease of use of the lpgs, sounds the way to go for a complete novice like myself, thanks. Ordering a FEL with the tractor so looks like I have planned something right.
I think you are right re landscape rake, lpgs and tiller for starters (also getting a flail mower for grassland and keeping the scrub down after initial cut) along with probably a seeder as it looks like I'll end up re-doing the lawn and want to seed a couple of acres with wild flowers. Was hoping to avoid the tiller initially but might have to bite the bullet.
Thanks for the piccies, nice, you certainly have some gear.
Dave