wagne223
Platinum Member
It is often said that the learning curve is long on a box blade. Because of this many users simply use it for a counterweight.
I wanted to share my experience with learning to use a box blade. Maybe it will help someone new to this versatile tool or maybe fellow TBNers just may enjoy the read.
I am a hobby tractor user in that I really only use my tractor to maintain my hunting property. I am typically on the tractor for 50 -75 hours per year. My tasks are primarily mowing and pulling a disc harrow. Occasionally I need to repair roads, clean ditches and clear tree debris from logging operations.
I started by borrowing a friend's B series Kubota. It had a 4ft BB on it. I know nothing other than that about the BB. The tractor had the typical manual adjustments for the 3PH. I read some and watched some videos on BB use. Got on site and tried to move some material around. What a daunting task. The only real control is raising and lowering the 3PH. Angle of attack adjustments were difficult and time consuming.
I was able to move a pile of material from one location to another, however the material had to be piled already. I was also able to scrape a logging area of tree debris mainly by using the rippers as a rake. What I could not do was get the BB to effectively scrape and smooth the roads that are made of sandy clay. I also could not make any repairs to the roads. I would simply make them worse.
After a few sessions, I labeled the BB as good for nothing but a counterweight and simply did what I could with the FEL.
A few years went by and I decided to buy my own tractor so I started researching. While researching I noticed people talking about Top and Tilt.
So after figuring out what that was, I researched how that helps with a box blade. I had also read discussions on Weight for a BB and took the advice to get the heaviest one that was in budget.
So I ordered my L2501 with top and tilt, and I ordered the Landpride BB2566 box blade.
I used the tractor for mowing and disc work, but still had not really tried the BB. It has rained a lot since last summer and the roads a camp are getting bad. So I decided to watch some videos on how to use a BB. One guy named Dave Knows How on you tube gives a great instruction video.
I went out this past weekend to implement some of what I have learned. The most important thing I learned was.......
With a hydraulic top link, a box blade is a completely different tool! Being able to easily make adjustments in angle of attack while operating makes a huge difference in how the BB works and my ability to make it do what I want.
Angle forward a bit to put the rippers in the clay and the box fills right up. Once full, tilt back a little to stop cutting and just drag the material where needed. To evenly spread material, set the 3ph arms where they just start to raise the BB, then drive forward while tilting the BB forward (shorting the top link) and the material just evenly flows out. To pack and smooth, I tilted the BB all the way back (full extending the top link) and drive across the area.
Now I still have a lot to learn, but I'm really happy that I now can use this tool for what it was designed for.
My recommendation to anyone that wants to use a BB is get hydraulic top and tilt for your tractor and get a heavy Box Blade, It truly makes a world of difference.
I wanted to share my experience with learning to use a box blade. Maybe it will help someone new to this versatile tool or maybe fellow TBNers just may enjoy the read.
I am a hobby tractor user in that I really only use my tractor to maintain my hunting property. I am typically on the tractor for 50 -75 hours per year. My tasks are primarily mowing and pulling a disc harrow. Occasionally I need to repair roads, clean ditches and clear tree debris from logging operations.
I started by borrowing a friend's B series Kubota. It had a 4ft BB on it. I know nothing other than that about the BB. The tractor had the typical manual adjustments for the 3PH. I read some and watched some videos on BB use. Got on site and tried to move some material around. What a daunting task. The only real control is raising and lowering the 3PH. Angle of attack adjustments were difficult and time consuming.
I was able to move a pile of material from one location to another, however the material had to be piled already. I was also able to scrape a logging area of tree debris mainly by using the rippers as a rake. What I could not do was get the BB to effectively scrape and smooth the roads that are made of sandy clay. I also could not make any repairs to the roads. I would simply make them worse.
After a few sessions, I labeled the BB as good for nothing but a counterweight and simply did what I could with the FEL.
A few years went by and I decided to buy my own tractor so I started researching. While researching I noticed people talking about Top and Tilt.
So after figuring out what that was, I researched how that helps with a box blade. I had also read discussions on Weight for a BB and took the advice to get the heaviest one that was in budget.
So I ordered my L2501 with top and tilt, and I ordered the Landpride BB2566 box blade.
I used the tractor for mowing and disc work, but still had not really tried the BB. It has rained a lot since last summer and the roads a camp are getting bad. So I decided to watch some videos on how to use a BB. One guy named Dave Knows How on you tube gives a great instruction video.
I went out this past weekend to implement some of what I have learned. The most important thing I learned was.......
With a hydraulic top link, a box blade is a completely different tool! Being able to easily make adjustments in angle of attack while operating makes a huge difference in how the BB works and my ability to make it do what I want.
Angle forward a bit to put the rippers in the clay and the box fills right up. Once full, tilt back a little to stop cutting and just drag the material where needed. To evenly spread material, set the 3ph arms where they just start to raise the BB, then drive forward while tilting the BB forward (shorting the top link) and the material just evenly flows out. To pack and smooth, I tilted the BB all the way back (full extending the top link) and drive across the area.
Now I still have a lot to learn, but I'm really happy that I now can use this tool for what it was designed for.
My recommendation to anyone that wants to use a BB is get hydraulic top and tilt for your tractor and get a heavy Box Blade, It truly makes a world of difference.
