Grading Anybody make any type of weight box to mount on box blade?

[LS Tractor Owner]

I was grading an area today with the box blade and found there were some spots that the box blade would barely scrape. I even went over those areas with just the scarifiers, they dug in, but just left deep grooves. Even going across again at an angle, just left more grooves. At most, the blade would take off maybe a half inch. It is a 60 inch, heavy box blade at 480 #.

Just wondering if any more weight would help, if so, wondering how you guys added some.

 

[s219]

I once threw some logs on top of mine to add more weight. Worked well. If I was going to make something more permanent, I would get thick steel cut to match the size of the box blade's end plates, and hang them on the ends.

 

[Threepoint]

I'm assuming you've already tried shortening the top link more to be certain you have the most effective orientation of the forward cutting edge. In any case though, more weight would help. A simple wood frame with two 8x8x16 solid concrete block will get you another 100 lbs.

Also, here's an old TBN thread with some ideas, including asking a 250 lb buddy to ride on top as you grade.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/249062-adding-weight-underweight-box-blade-2.html

 

[Fallon]

I chained some random steel to the top of mine. Happened to be several heavy grader blades for my LPGS project. I ended up replacing everything with a really old much heavier Gannon box blade. Weight is a good proxy for strength, especially on blades. If you put to much weight on them they cut to well & end up pretzeled if you have to much traction or momentum.

 

[Richard]

My BB bounces on some of our areas.... so, we grabbed some "boulders" (about as heavy as a single person can BARELY lift) and wedged that on top of the BB, then put a strap around it to hold into place. To be blunt, it's worked like a charm.

Prior to putting the strap around it, every now & then (not often) one of them (we had three "boulders" on top of it) might roll off and have to be hoisted back up. To do that once, I had to back to it, roll it up on some dirt, I think I used some 2x4's to get some leverage.... would have been easier to get a second person as it was all I could do to lift the rock but.....persistence I am and I got it up there.

My wife's cousin came up with the (brilliant) idea of using a ratchet strap to secure the rocks.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I've seen guys set cut pieces of railroad rail on top. Used to be able to fine scrap railroad rail around, but seems to be hard to fine these days. I wouldn't mind a few pieces myself for such purposes.

 

[Threepoint]

My BB bounces on some of our areas.... so, we grabbed some "boulders" (about as heavy as a single person can BARELY lift)[snip]

That works too!

Richard, when I was a single person (many years ago), I could lift way more than I can now. :laughing:

 

[stuckmotor]

I've seen guys set cut pieces of railroad rail on top. Used to be able to fine scrap railroad rail around, but seems to be hard to fine these days. I wouldn't mind a few pieces myself for such purposes.

I imagine the rail quit lying around back when China was paying outrageous prices for scrap metal. I heard one story about scavengers stealing the siding off a vacant mobile home.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I took 4 cinder blocks and filled them with concrete to make them heavier. If I had to guess I'd say they were about 70-80 lbs each. I welded a bracket on the back inside of my box blade to hold them. So I added 4 x 80 lbs=320 pounds to my box blade. Not a huge amount but it is better than nothing. I use it as my ballast right now. Yes I know I need to make a better ballast. I have a barrel but I have not made it happen yet. I like the rail idea. I know where some rail is laying in the bushes.

 

[WranglerX]

Look at yard and garage sales and get 25 and 50 pound barbell weights.... You can add or remove weight as necessary... All you need to really add to BB is some vertical rod of sorts to keep them mounted...

Dale

 

[310-510]

I welded a 1" bar, drilled holes in the ends for the lynch pins, made 12"x12"x1" thick steel plates with a 1 1/16" hole and handle and it works for me.

 

[jeff9366]

You are in New Mexico where moist soil will be an infrequent condition.

Buy HEAVY ground engagement implements.

 

[flashpuppy]

I just cut some 1 1/2” plate that fits in the end caps of my LPGS. We have a plasma table at work so I just burned them to fit from some scrap leftovers. Think I added about 600lbd to my 7’ LPGS. Works like a dream now.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Thanks for all the ideas. I don稚 have any Rails , nor do I think anyone around here sells them. Great idea though! I considered the filled block, but I didn稚 think they weighed that much. I do have a bunch of 3x3 angle, so maybe make some holders out of them. Problem with that is how the box blade is built (see pic), I can稚 go straight across the back of it. I might be able to get 1 1/2 blocks on each side, maybe 2 each side if they are vertical. I will have to get some measurements....

I also like the idea about getting some used barbell weights, but have not seen any around here in a long time.... I think most have gone to the scrap yard long ago.... you can cannot even find any used tractor implements around here!

 

[bcp]

... you can cannot even find any used tractor implements around here!

I used to live in the SW and saw many semi-trailer loads of rusty implements headed for the border.

Bruce

 

[Fallon]

Thanks for all the ideas. I don稚 have any Rails , nor do I think anyone around here sells them. Great idea though! I considered the filled block, but I didn稚 think they weighed that much. I do have a bunch of 3x3 angle, so maybe make some holders out of them. Problem with that is how the box blade is built (see pic), I can稚 go straight across the back of it. I might be able to get 1 1/2 blocks on each side, maybe 2 each side if they are vertical. I will have to get some measurements....

I also like the idea about getting some used barbell weights, but have not seen any around here in a long time.... I think most have gone to the scrap yard long ago.... you can cannot even find any used tractor implements around here!

Ya, it's not rocket surgery. There are just 2 factors, is it heavy & can you strap, chain or attach it well enough so it wont fall off. Even a stack of lumber or rocks can meet that most of the time.

That tower brace does make things a bit harder.

 

[Deere Dude]

I used a weight lifting bar and put on all the weights I could find, one at a time obviously, maybe 400# and was able to lay it across the bracing on the rear of the blade.

Weights are easy to find fairly cheap because not many people want them laying around.

 

[mwayne]

Look at yard and garage sales and get 25 and 50 pound barbell weights.... You can add or remove weight as necessary... All you need to really add to BB is some vertical rod of sorts to keep them mounted...

Dale

This is exactly what I did. Welded a piece of 1 1/2" pipe vertical on the back of the box blade and stacked up the plates. Works well with Olympic style weights.

 

[Richard]

That works too!

Richard, when I was a single person (many years ago), I could lift way more than I can now. :laughing:

Indeed! Tis why the last time I did it, I had to build a bit of a ramp and use some levers. I was the one who originally hoisted them up but, age, shoulder surgery on one arm, broken arm in the other since then... I don't have the back strength (age) nor arm strength in either arm. Sort of a double whammy!!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I think the welded rod / barbell weights will be the easiest option. As long as I can find some. Most of the ones I have seen in passing are the plastic filled kind. That type is what I gave away years ago. The yard / garage sale search is next to impossible unless I go 30+ miles down into the city.... even then no guarantee.... I might try craigslist.