cdaigle430
Veteran Member
Jus thought i'd share my experience as a newby on using the tractor with a boxblade. I purchased a 48" BB from the Tractor Supply Store-Cycle Country I think its called.
First off-please don't do what I did-do read the owners manual on removing the BH and installing the BH. I missed two important parts-raise the PTO shield and adjust the bottom turn buckles.
When installing the BB you need to adjust the bottom turn bucles so that the BB is level(unless you want to dig a trench) and so that the BB doesnt sway causing the 3PH to hit the BH frame (I learned this the hard way) and cause the 3PH to spread open and bend the BB lower attachment brackets. Yes I bent the BB lower attachment outwards by about an inch even though the metal is 3\8 thick.
During usage-check all the pins, clips and bolts, I lost a clip and realized that most of the bolts were loose only after I removed the BB for the winter. Raising the BB was not smooth on my tractor so you'll have to tap it to height, lowering was no problem thanks to the adjustment knob.
Using the BB is a sciene in its own-got about 18 hours on mine and I still have alot of learning to do. My BB has a front and rear blade so adjustments on how quickly it digs in when pulling or pushing is done by the upper link. I moved about 15-14 yard truckloads of sand and found the BB a little cumbersome at times-the tractor had plenty of power but I always had traction problems thanks partly to the turf tires and the soft sand. Maybe chains would have helped?
When raising the 3PH with the ROPS down-be careful because the top linkage will hit the ROPS, hopefully I learned my lesson there now
Finally, when installing the BH, of course-raise the PTO shield IAW the manual and tilt the BH forward so that the bottom pins sit in the cradle first.
I think with alot more practice I will be able to use the BB more effectivley and hopefully shy away from using the FEL to back drag or push dirt to reduce damage to the pistons.
Feel free to comment or add any advice to the thread-its more than welcomed.
First off-please don't do what I did-do read the owners manual on removing the BH and installing the BH. I missed two important parts-raise the PTO shield and adjust the bottom turn buckles.
When installing the BB you need to adjust the bottom turn bucles so that the BB is level(unless you want to dig a trench) and so that the BB doesnt sway causing the 3PH to hit the BH frame (I learned this the hard way) and cause the 3PH to spread open and bend the BB lower attachment brackets. Yes I bent the BB lower attachment outwards by about an inch even though the metal is 3\8 thick.
During usage-check all the pins, clips and bolts, I lost a clip and realized that most of the bolts were loose only after I removed the BB for the winter. Raising the BB was not smooth on my tractor so you'll have to tap it to height, lowering was no problem thanks to the adjustment knob.
Using the BB is a sciene in its own-got about 18 hours on mine and I still have alot of learning to do. My BB has a front and rear blade so adjustments on how quickly it digs in when pulling or pushing is done by the upper link. I moved about 15-14 yard truckloads of sand and found the BB a little cumbersome at times-the tractor had plenty of power but I always had traction problems thanks partly to the turf tires and the soft sand. Maybe chains would have helped?
When raising the 3PH with the ROPS down-be careful because the top linkage will hit the ROPS, hopefully I learned my lesson there now
Finally, when installing the BH, of course-raise the PTO shield IAW the manual and tilt the BH forward so that the bottom pins sit in the cradle first.
I think with alot more practice I will be able to use the BB more effectivley and hopefully shy away from using the FEL to back drag or push dirt to reduce damage to the pistons.
Feel free to comment or add any advice to the thread-its more than welcomed.
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