Basic Box Blade Operation

donconnery · May 22, 2018

Hey guys,

I know I'm doing something wrong here. If you've seen any of my other posts you'd know I'm a complete beginner.

Picked up a box blade yesterday to try and level some spots in our yard. We live on the water so the entire yard slopes downward.

I started at the high side, dropped the blade, and drove towards the river. This is what I ended up with. What am I supposed to do now? Should I be adjusting the height the whole time I am going down? Should I move this stuff back to the top and pull it down again? I turned around, leveled and dragged back to the top, and then I realized why that wouldn't work....I attached a picture as well.

/pine · May 22, 2018

I suggest looking at some youtube videos of basic bb operation...the key is being able to adjust the angle of the cutting edges (forward/backward)...

Without a hydraulic toplink trying to grade uneven terrain is going to be very frustrating and you will be spending more time out of the seat making top link adjustments than actual running...

TripleR · May 22, 2018

See if this od thread helps and agree with recommendation on top link: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/214590-how-use-box-blade.html

donconnery · May 22, 2018

I watched a lot of videos on youtube, but they are all working on nice level land

/pine · May 22, 2018

find a level spot (paved area)...and from the side observe the forward/backward) cutting edges of the blade in relation to the surface...adjust the length of the top link and observe again...

shortening the top link will make the blade cut aggressively going forward and will smooth in reverse...
To efficiently use a box blade the angle of the blade must be constantly changed to adapt to what is happening at the cutting edge...

M5farms · May 22, 2018

Buy trying to use existing grass and soil your going to tear up alot of that grass . if thats not a concern then keep doing what your doing and you will find what works best . If you needing to fill areas in I would suggest getting a load of topsoil or sand and scoop it in the areas you want to fill then drag these areas with the blade skimming the grass it will pull the new dirt into the voids and allow the grass to be saved .

donconnery · May 22, 2018

I have a load of topsoil right next to that for an unrelated project. I think I'm going to try that.

oosik · May 22, 2018

When I first tried to use my ROBB it was tough. I was all the time with the top link - shorten to dig, lengthen to drop load. Then I got a FitRite hydraulic top link. A golden day dawned upon my operation. Now using the ROBB successfully is almost as easy as using my land plane grading scraper. I can actually correct situations rather than exacerbating them.