Grading Reverse with box blade down

schweppes · Sep 17, 2011

good evening, new member here.

I don't know how to ask this question, but when I lower my box blade and going forward it works very well,trust me. but if i go into reverse it feels as though it doesn't have enough power. I have tried it on level ground in reverse and the same happens. I have tried it on a slight grade going in reverse. rear tires just spin also. I don't get it. I have tried to adjust the box blade and the sway, but to no avail, tires spin, no movement. Box blade up and in reverse no problem. 4WD ENGAGED. Appreciate any assistance

General Lee · Sep 17, 2011

Box blades aren't really made to use in reverse. Loose material can be pushed backwards ok, but trying to move virgin ground backwards is no good. I experience the same results as you using mine backwards. Unless your box blade has a hinged rear blade, I wouldn't use it in reverse. Its not good for the BB itself or the 3 point hitch linkage.

massey990 · Sep 17, 2011

Just curious if you've tried adjusting the top link? The toplink adjustment settings are the key to using a BB efficiently.

glc24 · Sep 18, 2011

Hey scheppes
Welcome to TBN

Like massey stated,the angle of the box blade is definitely key. If you want to use the rear blade going in reverse,make sure the box is pretty level.

If the front is raised too much,it will put too much of a down angle on the rear blade and make it want to really dig.

Greg

Piston · Sep 18, 2011

I didn't think it mattered if the box blade was hinged or not going in reverse? I have a hinged box blade and it acts the same as a fixed one when going in reverse.
Operating a box blade in reverse puts a lot of stress on the 3 point hitch that it's not designed for. Many people (including me) do use it in reverse but as stated earlier it's better to use only on loose soil. A box blade is really meant for pulling.

jdwall · Sep 18, 2011

Recently I purchased a used TSC box blade that was not engineered for heavy reverse use and hence has several popped welds. Glad I bought the box and not the tractor that caused the damage. Appears the previous owner had reversed the scarifers also. I would assume this piece has seen abuse as it shows little signs of use.

beenthere · Sep 18, 2011

schweppes said:
good evening, new member here.

I don't know how to ask this question, but when I lower my box blade and going forward it works very well,trust me. but if i go into reverse it feels as though it doesn't have enough power. I have tried it on level ground in reverse and the same happens. I have tried it on a slight grade going in reverse. rear tires just spin also. I don't get it. I have tried to adjust the box blade and the sway, but to no avail, tires spin, no movement. Box blade up and in reverse no problem. 4WD ENGAGED. Appreciate any assistance

In addition, when pushing with the 3 ph arms, they put upward lift on the rear wheels thus less traction. Also, the tread setting of the bars on the rear wheels (unless turfs) likely are set for forward traction. Rarely are they set for reverse traction.

jenkinsph · Sep 18, 2011

jdwall said:
Recently I purchased a used TSC box blade that was not engineered for heavy reverse use and hence has several popped welds. Glad I bought the box and not the tractor that caused the damage. Appears the previous owner had reversed the scarifers also. I would assume this piece has seen abuse as it shows little signs of use.

JD,
While I agree with your assumptions there are some people who reverse the scarifiers in an attempt to get a better smoothing action in forward travel. I never bother with it myself. I would never turn the scarifiers around to attempt pushing and ripping in reverse, would probably tear up hitch parts quickly.

Any reverse work with a box blade is best limited to smoothing loose material for grading purposes. And this is done slowly too.

bcp · Sep 18, 2011

When going forward, the geometry of the hitch tends to raise the blade when it meets resistance. When going in reverse, the same geometry tends to lower the blade when it meets resistance.

Compare pulling a hand truck over a curb to pushing one over a curb.

Bruce