Box blade or york rake?

grandall4 · Feb 17, 2016

I have 2 projects I'm looking to complete once the ground thaws. First, will be to spread about 40 yards of loam for lawn repair from heavy equipment damage and regrading. My second project is to build a bmx pump track.

I think the box blade is the best tool for both projects, but would appreciate opinions.

My reasoning is that the box will drag the soil leaving it level and ready for seed on the lawn. The rippers will be useful for the first cut of the bmx track and the box will drag the soil to where I want to place the rollers and jumps.

Any thoughts on the box blade being best or should I consider other options?

Thanks

newbury · Feb 17, 2016

First question - do you have either one?
The box blade seems a lot more useful than a york rake.

Here's a couple of good BB links
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/116316-various-boxblade-uses.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/122762-beginners-guide-using-box-blade.html

Backwoods Welding · Feb 17, 2016

Box blade hands down!

npalen · Feb 17, 2016

I have both box blade and york rake and both seem to have their place. The rake has the drop down blade but also has the advantage of angling. The angle action of dragging soil seems to have a good leveling effect like a road grader. I do notice that some of the newer landscape rakes have very wide tooth spacing which may not be as effective.
My old york has 3/4" width teeth with only 3/4" spacing between and will move quite a bit of soil even with the blade dropped down.
I've also added hydraulic gauge wheels to the back of the box blade and a long tongue which basically converts it into a soil mover or speed mover type tool. The cut can be precisely controlled by the gage wheels to facilitate leveling. The york rake also has gauge wheels which makes it more useful.

TSO · Feb 17, 2016

box blade, hands down

roadhunter · Feb 17, 2016

I recently upgraded to a heavier box blade with hydraulic rippers. I am in the process of repairing some heavy equipment damage as well as improve the existing soil with some amendments and I am finding it works quite well. My last box blade was manual and now that I have TnT and hydraulic rippers I am getting the full function of the tool. Also works great as a counterweight for loader work. Box blade is a really versatile tool right in there with forks as one of the most useful attachments for a tractor.

DKCDKC · Feb 18, 2016

A suggestion might be both... If you look around, you can sometimes find used BBs and rakes. These things are strong and durable. It's also easy to spot damage. All of my equipment was bought used for a fraction of new price, and works well. Going used means you get a lot more for the money.

4570Man · Feb 18, 2016

Box blade.

grandall4 · Feb 18, 2016

Thanks for the replies. I don't own either yet, but have access to, and have extensive time using, a York rake. Great tool, just single purpose in my opinion.