Box blade versus grader

[jmt1271]

I'm putting together my order for a b2650 and loader.

We own 10 acres and between the main driveway and a second driveway to the barn, I have about 1200 feet of gravel to maintain.

On my last tractor, at my previous property I had a box blade. It would get the job done but I never felt it was easy to use.

For those that have used both, from a moving rock and grading perspective, which implement do you think would be most efficient for managing my driveways?

Any particular models I should consider? Would prefer to stay with landpride if possible to simplify the ordering process through kubota dealer. Thanks.

 

[oosik]

I have a mile long gravel driveway. I own a roll over box blade, rear blade and land plane grading scraper. By far - either the robb or the rear blade is the most difficult land engagement implement to master. Conversely - the LPGS is one of the easiest to master. I use all three on my driveway.

Rear blade - winter snow removal and to pull material up and out of the driveway ditches
ROBB - move material from here to there
LPGS - to make things really smooth, take out the ripples, fill small potholes

If I had only one implement it would have to be the rear blade. As difficult as it is - it WILL do more tasks than either of the other two. AND with continued use I WILL become more proficient.

 

[prichard]

I have only a box blade. It is not easy to use but I'm getting better. Since I am still building roads I think it's the best implement for me right now. I plan to get or build a plane down the road for maintenance.

I can't see ever wanting just one since they have different uses. If I had good roads that just needed maintenance I'd get the land plane and watch for a used bb or blade. I frequently see decent used options for those 2, I don't remember ever seeing a used plane around here.

 

[skipperbrown]

If you going with a box blade, order the rear remotes because you will want a tnt. Also be sure to order the telescoping links. They aren't standard on the open station.

 

[oosik]

BLAAAAT - you guys East of the Mississippi and all the used equipment that's available. I've been here in Ea WA state for 36 years and used agricultural equipment has been ZERO. I gave up looking about 25 years ago and just resigned myself to buying new.

I will definitely second skipperbrown on the rear remotes. I have a hydraulic top link and its probably the best addition to my tractor. Hydraulic top link adjustment for your ground engagement implement overcomes frustration and time wasted and allows perfect alignment of the implement. Definitely well worth the money.

 

[beowulf]

Initially I only had a box blade and tried to make that work to maintain the 850' gravel driveway. It got the job done - sort of, but not really, and was a bit frustrating to use for maintaining a driveway. Later I popped for a rear blade and it works so much better. I cannot only tilt the blade (have TNT) but can also put it at an angle and thus can grade/sweep the gravel to the middle of the road and create a nice crown which is the key to maintaining a nice driveway. Now when I go to maintain the driveway I don't even think about using the box blade.

The box blade has it uses, but in my opinion is not ideal for maintaining a driveway and the rear blade works so much better. A land planner would be even better but they are not cheap. A rear blade is inexpensive and works for me.

 

[747driver]

I have both the box and grader blades. Both each serve separate functions. I like the BB for digging up material with the rippers and letting the box get full to where I can move it to the place I need the material at. It does take some time to learn how much to adjust the box angle. I have a sliding grader blade, which really makes it nice to make and maintain ditches. With a sliding blade it lets you get the blade offset to either side so as to get the rear wheel away from the edge. I don't have R Remotes...just a few manual turns on my top link or a few turns on my telescoping lower right link sets my angle. I maintain 1/4 mile stone mountain road.

 

[fried1765]

I have both the box and grader blades. Both each serve separate functions. I like the BB for digging up material with the rippers and letting the box get full to where I can move it to the place I need the material at. It does take some time to learn how much to adjust the box angle. I have a sliding grader blade, which really makes it nice to make and maintain ditches. With a sliding blade it lets you get the blade offset to either side so as to get the rear wheel away from the edge. I don't have R Remotes...just a few manual turns on my top link or a few turns on my telescoping lower right link sets my angle. I maintain 1/4 mile stone mountain road.

You can loosen (with ripper teeth), and move, material with a box blade.
You can SHAPE material with a rear blade.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I'm putting together my order for a b2650 and loader.

We own 10 acres and between the main driveway and a second driveway to the barn, I have about 1200 feet of gravel to maintain.

On my last tractor, at my previous property I had a box blade. It would get the job done but I never felt it was easy to use.

For those that have used both, from a moving rock and grading perspective, which implement do you think would be most efficient for managing my driveways?

Any particular models I should consider? Would prefer to stay with landpride if possible to simplify the ordering process through kubota dealer. Thanks.

In my opinion, the ETA units are the best in the size range for your tractor. Longer, taller, heavier than the competition

But if you want to stay with Land Pride, I'm sure that it will work well for you also. :thumbsup:

 

[bdhsfz6]

I maintain 1 1/4 miles of private road and several 200+' driveways. 35 years ago, the road was red shale and I used a box blade for maintenance. Red shale is soft and prone to washouts which made the box blade useful in moving large amounts of material to fill ruts and potholes. Unfortunately, this needed to be done several times per year and after every heavy rainstorm.

20 years back, I spent the money and topped the red shale with a 6 inch layer of modified gravel. The project required 2000 tons of material. My neighbor and I did the work ourselves. He used the box blade behind his tractor and I used a landscape rake behind mine. The two implements complemented each other nicely. After the stone was down, I quickly found the landscape rake was a much better tool for the job. Equipped with gauge wheels, scarifier, grader blade and T&T kit, it's the only tool I need for road maintenance. After not using the box blade for several years, I sold it.