Grading Box Blade Adjustments and Crowning Road

mswlogo · Jul 5, 2009

How much should you allow the box blade to swing freely side to side with the side links? I've had it swing side ways on my route to storage and bang into things. But I thought it would be best to give it slack for when pulling a U-turn when loaded.

Also has anyone tried to crown a crushed bank road (sand, clay, gravel mix) by manually tilting the boxblade. Does it make sense to try and crown a road like that? It's flat as a pancake now and when it rains it gets little puddles and folks drive over the puddles and make pot holes. I was wondering if a slight crown would prevent this problem.

I know a TNT is best but that will have to wait until tractor is paid off. Maybe end of next year. I've been manually setting angle with no problem at all. Might have to change it 3-4 times per job.

Tig · Jul 5, 2009

I'm no expert but I keep my implements snugged down. They still sway a few inches but are easier to control.
A crown is the way to go for the reasons you mentioned. Box blade will do it for you. The other thing you may need to do is cut down any shoulders at the side of the road. Water is the enemy. You have to make sure water will flow off the road quickly.
I found it best to work the road after rain has softened it up a bit. The moisture also allows the material to compact well after wards. Try to avoid working when there are puddles. They just become a soupy mess and the first car to drive over them just splashes them out.
Just by crowning and fixing drainage issues on my road has made a world of difference.
I use a boxblade with a grader like modification for most maintenance. The FEL cuts the shoulders down. I have also used my back blade to carve out gutters last fall.