Box blade help!

MLB · Jun 22, 2003

If you're starting with a level piece of ground, how do you make one end lower than the other for drainage purposes?
Do you start pulling at the desired "low end" and cut in and then lift the box as you travel to the "high" end? just pull in that one direction?
Or, could you go across (perpendicular) gouging out lines and then dragging vertically to fill up those gouges?
What is the desired technique?

Also to cut drainage swales do you use the 3pt arm adjustments to angle the box and then put the box down while dragging on a center line where you want the swale?

Muchos gracias! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Bird · Jun 22, 2003

( Do you start pulling at the desired "low end" and cut in and then lift the box as you travel to the "high" end? just pull in that one direction? )

I would. If it's for drainage purposes, any cuts across might result in soft spots that will settle in a way you might not like.

( to cut drainage swales do you use the 3pt arm adjustments to angle the box and then put the box down while dragging on a center line )

Yes.

normde2001 · Jun 22, 2003

For the first part, I would drive stakes and run a string at the desired pitch on each side of the area. Then start gouging, at either top or bottom, til the terrain matched the string pitch.
Yes, to the second part.

MLB · Jun 22, 2003

thanks guys

how high off the ground should the string be ?
What would be the proper fall for a 150' back yard?

Thanks again! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

MLB · Jun 22, 2003

one more

are you able to adjust the 3pt arms with the box attached?

normde2001 · Jun 22, 2003

Re: thanks guys

Put the string at ground level at the low end. Get a line level with 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2" per foot graduations, hang it on the line. Stretch the line and see what looks good to you, probably 1/8"- 1/4" per foot or so. 1/8" per foot is 18.75" drop in 150'. Tie off the top end there and see what looks good. That's normal drop for decks, flat roofs, etc. As you dig out the low end you can keep lowering the line to keep it as low to the ground as possible to keep your perspective.
Yes, normally you have an adjustable lift arm link on the right side. Just adjust up or down to suit.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 23, 2003

Re: thanks guys

( What would be the proper fall for a 150' back yard?
)

I always try to go with a minimum slope of 2% (two feet per hundred) on dirt. That's almost exactly 1/4 inch per foot. You'll end up using what works on your property, and if ya ain't got the grade you can't invent it, but 2% minimum works reasonably well. Flatter than that, and you tend to get holes and wet spots.