Box Scraper Box blades are great, but will they do this?

[DaveWilliamsTX]

Hi everyone,

I have a question for the hive mind about preparing fields for native prairie seed.

We have close to 100 acres of former pasture which are currently dominated by KR Bluestem (exotic range grass) I've read that disturbing the roots of these plants is a great way to give new seeds a good chance at establishment.

We have a John Dere 5205 4WD tractor (52 horse, I think ) with a disc, but the disc sucks - its made by Armstrong AG, always clogs, and breaks welds often.

I'm wondering if a Box Blade with tines (among all the other amazing things it can do) could be a fast and effective way to uproot established bunch-grasses and lay down a relatively flat grade which could be seeded and rolled.

We're not talking about tilling tall grass prairie here, but its a bit more than your average lawn.

There is a chance that we'll be able to burn these pastures before we do this, which i imagine would help, but not having to burn is a lot more flexible.

Is a box blade at all right for the job?

We're going to get one anyway, and need a heavy duty one that can deal with jobs from road grading to de-rocking silty/clay fields, price isn't much of an object - anyone got a recommendation?

I've looked at the John Deere Site, at the BB12 and BB42...

Thanks - Dave

 

[brandoro]

I can't help you with your question about rehabilitating your grass lands but would suggest you check out Land Pride box blades too. A neighbour up the road has one on a bigger tractor than mine and I can hardly believe some of the things he has done with it and doesn't appear to have damaged it at all. I have several other LP attachments and have been impressed by them.

 

[RPW]

I'm surprised about the Armstrong AG as I have one of there boxblades and I have yet to see on built heavier. Not saying that it's not possible but just haven't seen one. As far as pasture renovation you might pose this question in the Ag section.

Good luck.
Richard.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have a Frontier BB1284 7' boxblade with hydraulic scarifier toothbar heavy duty for sure and really like it. this would be a good match for your tractor too.

As far as the pasture goes I think you need a better disk a good pull type disk with large blades and 9" spacings should keep cleared for you.


Steve

 

[DaveWilliamsTX]

Thanks for the suggestions, any others are welcome.

I have tried and tried to find someone who will bring a seed drill out for a couple of days, to no avail. A no-till drill like the one made by Traux would probably be perfect.

Native American Seed has one, but they won't call me back...frustrating.

 

[JKirkwood]

You should check w/ your conservation office. First they can help you in reestablishing methods for native prairies. They may also have an equipment share program that you could get use of a seeder. In Missouri, the conservation office is very active in getting native areas and helping landowners.

 

[Egon]

A cultivator with chisel points may do the job.

 

[MarkV]

I just can't imagine pulling a box blade with the scarifiers down over a 100 acres. I believe it will be clogging up often with pieces of sod.

MarkV

 

[jenkinsph]

I was thinking that the S tine field cultivator may work for this, as Egon brought up. It would certainly be better than using a boxblade. If clogging up is an issue then cut it as low as possible first. Then try the disk you have again.


Steve

 

[pitt_md]

I just can't imagine pulling a box blade with the scarifiers down over a 100 acres. I believe it will be clogging up often with pieces of sod.

MarkV

I have to agree with Mark on this. This is not a good task to attempt with a box blade. 100 acres is big enough that it should be run over with a chisel plow or regular plow and disked to the finish you want then planted.