Box Blading in reverse

[Airic]

When using your box blade is it OK to push dirt in reverse? I have a blade on the back so, I assumed it was intended for this. I have found that I have bent my upper 3 point link and it could of only been done by going in reverse. I don't feel I done anything excessively when pushing and I don't believe I致e hit a solid object. It's always a slow push anyway and I would think the force would be applied to the whole 3-point and not just the upper link.

I've been cutting in for a turnaround driveway and the edges stay high because of when going forward on outside of the turnaround bend the box does not stay up on the cut in edge. The way I've handling this is doing the outside edge by going in reverse and I can then keep the box along the cut in edge.

Is this wrong to do? Of anything to be the week point I prefer it to be this top link.

 

[Bird]

Is it wrong to push dirt in reverse? Well, I've read here on TBN of people bending the two lower links as well as the top link. I think it's pretty obvious that the 3-point hitch is designed for pulling, not pushing, so you just might damage something pushing; it happens. So . . ., would I recommend it? Nope. But did I do it myself? Yep, lots of times. Maybe I was just lucky, but I never damaged anything and I've even tried to push when it just wouldn't go anymore; just spin the wheels, but of course I never charged into something and hit with a hard, sudden impact.

 

[Dyer retired]

Airic,

I got away with pushing a 5 foot blade in reverse for 3 years. Since they make the blade on a swivel with several angle adjustment holes for pulling or pushing, I thought it was o.k. too. I also had a degree of comfort when I looked at the thickness of the lower links and would not have believed there would be a force strong enough to bend them, but........I was pushing snow with it and hit a hard packed snow bank this winter pushing the blade in reverse and bent my lower link. Of course, this all happened before I discovered TBN and started reading about how many others have done this.

I haven't learned much, I still push snow with it, but I'm more cautious (OCD and paranoid about it really) and I don't ram the snow banks anymore with it in reverse.

I guess my answer to your question is that it can be done, but I can't find anywhere, or anyone, that recommends it.

Dyer, retired

 

[Drylander]

I pushed over 25 Cedar trees in the pasture this weekend with a rear blade. Raise it up high and the tree will tip and the roots will kick out of the ground. When the roots are up, then hook under them and push up and back. Pops them right out. I too watch it carefully, but I know that steel will yield when the appropriate load is applied. I have pushed tons of manure as a youngster on the farm. Just be careful and don't act suprised if it breaks.

John

 

[3RRL]

Some guys refer to the lower links as "drag links" and that's what they're designed for. I push a lot in reverse and ended up bending mine too. I found it quite an excellent technique however. So I straightened them out and welded a thick reinforcement plate on the bottoms to keep them from bending. They now look like and upside down "T". Nevertheless, I would be careful as to how much pressure you put pushing in reverse.

 

[TrippleT]

I would concur with the other posters on here. If your just pushing soft loose dirt you probably won't bend anything but if you hit something solid you might bend it again. The hitch is for pulling for the most part.

 

[Rara Avis]

TR3 Rake For Gravel Driveway Maintenance >>> ABI Property Owner


Watch the food plot preparation video or the vegetation removal video...

 

[john_bud]

Sure you can push, but do be careful.

Also, you need to change the angle of attack (front to back tilt) as it is different pulling vs pushing. Pushing you want the box dead level to slightly butt high. Pulling you want it the other way - level to nose high.

A hydraulic top link is worth it if you are going from pull to push to pull to push!

jb

 

[Dyer retired]

Some guys refer to the lower links as "drag links" and that's what they're designed for. I push a lot in reverse and ended up bending mine too. I found it quite an excellent technique however. So I straightened them out and welded a thick reinforcement plate on the bottoms to keep them from bending. They now look like and upside down "T". Nevertheless, I would be careful as to how much pressure you put pushing in reverse.

3RRL,

Do you by chance have any pictures you could post of the reinforcement. Also, how did you go about straightening the links, I'm assuming torch and anvil? Mine did not bend bad enough to stop using, but I look at it and it drives me nuts! I'd like to reinforce it like you have described and have access to welding equipment and a welder, once I get the link straight. I have no intention of getting too confident once it's reinforced and will still take it cautiously, but would like to have it look right in the meantime. I'll need an answer soon....winter is on it's way, ha! Dyer, retired

 

[schmism]

ive pushed with mine. but i was trying to skim an area that i couldnt drag through and it chattered a lot. (i also have a fairly light weight box blade)

 

[3RRL]

3RRL,

Do you by chance have any pictures you could post of the reinforcement. Also, how did you go about straightening the links, I'm assuming torch and anvil? Mine did not bend bad enough to stop using, but I look at it and it drives me nuts! I'd like to reinforce it like you have described and have access to welding equipment and a welder, once I get the link straight. I have no intention of getting too confident once it's reinforced and will still take it cautiously, but would like to have it look right in the meantime. I'll need an answer soon....winter is on it's way, ha! Dyer, retired

John, Here is a link to when I bent them and straightened them out.

Pushing In New Roads and Trails

It was while I was cutting in some new roads and trails. I used a hydraulic press and a little heat to straighten back. Then I used some old scarifiers from my boxblade and welded them onto the bottom. The scarifiers are slightly heat treated so they are very strong. They are just under 3/4" thick or so, and about 2-1/2" wide. I put them where the links would most likely bend.

Here are some photos of the links before the repair.



These show them straightened out and the "T" reinforcement. I put several heavy duty beads of weld on them. No problems since that repair.

 

[Highbeam]

Here's a funny thought. If you are in reverse backing up and loading the rear blade of the BB, isn't the top link in tension? If you pretzel your top link then it was done going forward. The top link is in tension while reversing since the draft arms attach to the BB above the box. The lower links of the 3ph would be in compression and no doubt more likely to be damaged than when used in tension.

I have used the heck out of my BB in reverse. I find that it works similarly to a bulldozer in pushing a nice level path out for the tractor to drive over. Filling stump holes, smoothing terrain, pushing trees over, etc.

 

[Dyer retired]

John, Here is a link to when I bent them and straightened them out.

Pushing In New Roads and Trails

It was while I was cutting in some new roads and trails. I used a hydraulic press and a little heat to straighten back. Then I used some old scarifiers from my boxblade and welded them onto the bottom. The scarifiers are slightly heat treated so they are very strong. They are just under 3/4" thick or so, and about 2-1/2" wide. I put them where the links would most likely bend.

Rob,

Thanks for the info. and pictures. You wouldn't think your description was confusing and, it turns out, it wasn't, but I base everything I look at on my tractor design. The reason I was not understanding how you did it was becasue my links are bent from the factory in two spots to give them more width (almost like yours ended up after you bent yours, only made that way.) Amazingly, my lower link didn't bend at the factory bend, but on the long straight piece, which surprised me. I think I've figured out how I might do mine based on your pictures and will let you know how they hold up. I appreciate you taking the time to post the photos and further description....I'm guessing you won't have any problems with those links bending again! Thanks, John

 

[3RRL]

John, glad the pictures and thread helped you.
Mine bent at the straight section too. Right where the stabilizers connect to the straight part. And you are right, I've had no further problems at all with them since doing that reinforcement "T".

 

[Leejohn]

Highbeam Right on!!!

 

[Dyer retired]

John, glad the pictures and thread helped you.
Mine bent at the straight section too. Right where the stabilizers connect to the straight part. And you are right, I've had no further problems at all with them since doing that reinforcement "T".

I went to the dealer this morning and ordered up two new drag links for the tractor. I'm going to use sections of the old links to reinforce the new ones in much the way you did. I will still take it easy....my fear is getting too comfortable with reinforced links and destroying something else a lot more costly to replace. I also found out today that Saturdays are not the best time to hit the parts counter at my dealer (they are only open until noon,) because one person ahead of me was ordering an umbrella for his tractor, but couldn't do it without first calling his wife at the counter. The next guy ahead of me just wanted to get a price check on several items to see if he could get them cheaper from the internet....and told the parts person this. Ultimately, he took up 30 minutes of everyone's time and walked out the door without spending a penny. I did find the prices for my order to be in line with Messick's, but I won't be paying the shipping, so I saved a few dollars on that end. Dyer, retired

 

[Dyer retired]

I must have double clutched that last post and inserted your quote twice. Another 20 years and I'll have this all figured out. Dyer, retired

 

[3RRL]

Hahaha, yeah, I saw that.
I thought you did it for me, because I might have forgotten what I said right after you quoted it?
You know how old age is.
Pretty soon I'll be able to hide my own Easter eggs.

 

[Dyer retired]

Hahaha, yeah, I saw that.
I thought you did it for me, because I might have forgotten what I said right after you quoted it?
You know how old age is.
Pretty soon I'll be able to hide my own Easter eggs.

Let's hope we're not hiding our own Easter eggs too soon, ha! I don't feel that old, but I do notice that a lot of people my age are and younger are showing up in the Obits. My Obituary will read: "He loved his wife, kids, tractor, sailing, and at the end.....hiding his own Easter eggs." Dyer, retired

 

[Bird]

I must have double clutched that last post and inserted your quote twice. Another 20 years and I'll have this all figured out. Dyer, retired

OK, so I took the duplicate quote out, so people can wonder what you're talking about. Now if I could just remember what an Easter egg is . . .