Grading How to feather a 3ph blade up and out of the material using a BX

[RaydaKub]

Today was my first experience really using my blade. I've got a 5 foot behind my BX. I was working on a driveway behind my church. It had ground up pavement put on it a year ago. The blade had a really good bite on a slight angle. I was able to fill in some deep ruts and move a fair amount of material to the low spots. What I discovered however, is that to do the finish grade is really an art form. If there are any bumps or dips, the blade can miss our gouge very easily. I decided to spin the blade backwards to try to get it to not dig in so easily. What I was really frustrated with was trying to complete the grade and feather out the remaining material. I would hold onto the 3ph lever and ease it as slowly as I could. I could hear the system whine, but the blade wouldn't lift at all, then suddenly jump up about 2-3 inches or more, leaving a new ridge.

Does anybody have any ideas about how I could change this setup? There is the 3ph drop control and that seemed to help to start the pass, but I really need is some way to slow down the lift. Is there any way to adjust the lift?

 

[repete]

Have you tried using the blade in reverse. This tends to reduce the up and down motion as the blade levels in front of the tires causing the tires to run on "level" ground.

 

[like2wheel]

Have you tried using the blade in reverse. This tends to reduce the up and down motion as the blade levels in front of the tires causing the tires to run on "level" ground.

I decided to spin the blade backwards to try to get it to not dig in so easily.

I think he did...

 

[mikehaugen]

I took that as he turned blade around but still was driving forward, maybe I was wrong too

 

[mikehaugen]

To answer the question though, the only way I know to slow down the lift (except by moving the lever slower) is to lower the rpm's

 

[like2wheel]

I took that as he turned blade around but still was driving forward, maybe I was wrong too

Now I think you were right, & I didn't read your response throughly.
Sounds like a good idea.

 

[repair1]

Have you tried using the quarter inching valve? If I hold the lever to the left while moving it to lift, the 3 point will lift slowly without jerking. Try it.

 

[TripleR]

I don't believe the BX2230 has a quarter inching valve, our BX2200 doesn't while our BX2660 does.

To OP, I will have to say this is one of the things I dislike about the BX. While I did learn to "feather" my BX2200 to some extent, it never approached the level available with the position control 3PH. I just hit it a little at a time and it would scream and raise a bit, it is noisy and inexact, but it is the best I could do.

I am sure there is someone out there who can do it effectively, but it isn't me, sorry.

 

[CHDinCT]

Have you tried using the quarter inching valve? If I hold the lever to the left while moving it to lift, the 3 point will lift slowly without jerking. Try it.

What he said. Pull the lever in towards the seat while pulling up or down to engage the quarter-inching function. There ard two stops under the fender for the QI valve. Sometimes they have to be adjusted to get the hitch to move just the right amount.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I guess practise is the main thing. I bought a rear blade early on and it wasn't of much value to me like teeth on the front bucket. Myself, I always used the front bucket to do what your talking about since I could see it, twist angle or drop under pressure or drop in float to do what I wanted and mostly in reverse moving. The RatchetRake will do a great finish for surfaces.