Grading Box Blade Question

dbdartman · Feb 1, 2007

Looks like a 66" wide it is. Good to know at least SOME of the questions I should ask (rear blade & weight).

Lone, We'll see what kind of price I get from the JD dealer (about 15-20 minutes away). Hope it's around $700!

John, thanx man. Those suggestions are a BIG help!

E-Mike, that's just my "toy", a '68 Dart 2dr sedan. One of these days I'm dumping the flashy wheels for a set of painted stock steel ones & hub caps to complete the "sleeper" look. Da(i)rt was actually built to chase Corvettes through the back roads, so all the "tricks" are in the suspension, steering, & brakes. You can read more about it in http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...d-about-absolutely-nothing-2.html#post1059794

BTW, I've gotten pretty proficient with the FEL, but there remain some areas with really HARD packed dirt that has to come down some more (FEL & back blade won't cut it, already tried), plus clumps of dirt from the hoe used to clear the drainage ditch along the front of the property (some 750+ feet long), & the drainage ditch through the property that needs maintainance.

Well, we'll see what the JD dealer says next week (we're expecting snow here), & I'll report back.

Thanx all!
DB

ExpediteMike · Feb 2, 2007

Well after much contemplation, reading, etc. have decided to go with 66" box blade. The rear width outside to outside of tires is just about 60". Dealer is delivering this afternoon. Great day for this, we had first snow, about an inch or so here in middle Tennessee so wont't get to try it out though. Hope I made the right decision!!

RobJ · Feb 2, 2007

wushaw said:
Yes or some like myself use a drag of some homemade application to level/smooth an area but if it is for road use then a blade can be used for that application.
I myself use my FEL and box blade for my road fixin or making.

IMHO, I just think a BB might have more uses than a straight blade. Going backwards...it is straight..

wushaw · Feb 2, 2007

RobJ said:
IMHO, I just think a BB might have more uses than a straight blade. Going backwards...it is straight..

I'm right there with ya Rob, I got rid of my rear blade just because I found the BB to be way more usefull...I won't keep something around If I can't or don't like the way it works...I already have two ex-wives..

but I'm not buying another rear blade, I may try another wife though.lol

ExpediteMike · Feb 2, 2007

Thanks guys. 66" BB should be delivered in a couple of hrs. Wushaw:Good one about the wives:

dbdartman · Feb 6, 2007

Just back for the JD dealer, with sticker shock. The Frontier BB2065 (5'5" wide HD) lists for $1043!

We agreed that's too much & he's going to see what he can find in the same size & $7-800 range for me.

Any suggestions on other dealers I should check, remembering that I'm in NJ (not interested in a good deal that goes bad with shipping cost).

Partsman2 · Feb 6, 2007

dbdartman said:
Just back for the JD dealer, with sticker shock. The Frontier BB2065 (5'5" wide HD) lists for $1043! We agreed that's too much & he's going to see what he can find in the same size & $7-800 range for me.

Any suggestions on other dealers I should check, remembering that I'm in NJ (not interested in a good deal that goes bad with shipping cost).

Here is a link to A&B Eagleline. They make nice stuff. I bought a super heavy box blade but they make lighter stuff too. Great people to deal with. They will hook you up with their nearest dealer to where you are. A & B EAGLE LINE EQUIPMENT The Shield of Quality

briancd · Feb 6, 2007

ExpediteMike said:
Thanks "Partsman". First use will be grading gravel on new driveway after the dump truck spreads it as he unloads it.

Last summer I regraded my drive (300 yds long) with a new bb on my 26hp new holland. It was my first summer with the tractor and my first project with the boxblade. First step was getting 7 dumptrucks of 5/8" crushed with fines dumped along the drive, spread out by using chains on the dumper and some driving skill by the dump truck operator. However it was very uneven before I used the blade, and it took quite some practice to get it looking good. In fact I recall my wife coming down and "talking loudly" at me that it was a mess, after about two passes. I kept at it, going up one side and back down the other (with the bb on a very slight tilt to put a crown on the road). After about 5 or 6 passes it was fantastic. Even the contractor who built my place was very impressed. It can be done; just be patient and play with the 3ph height and your driving speed. All in all it's pretty relaxing, as far as "work" goes.

Catman1 · Feb 6, 2007

Hi BrianCD. How did the dumper spread out the 5/8 with chains. I am interested on how he did it. I have 600 yards of road.

Also on your BB is your tilt manual or hydraulic to make that crown?