Box scraper Dilemma

[ChickenNecks]

I have 5 acres and want to construct a practice soccer field for the kids.

Box scraper or rear blade? I want to make the right choice before I drop the cash.

Help!

Thanks, Lew

 

[creeper]

Welcome to TBN ! What needs to be done ? Is the area flat now? Is it grass or woods ? Give us some details and we can help you more.

 

[ChickenNecks]

Front to back, it is about a 2ft slope with rutting (no more than 10") some small shrubs (most of which I cleared with the FEL) and a few softball sized rocks.

I want it to drain, but the slope definately will not work for a soccer field.

Thanks,
Lew

 

[creeper]

I would say the box blade would be helpful, I would probably use a cheap cultivator or harrow to break it all up first and then go back and level and smooth it out.You could also rent a 5' tiller.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Get a box blade for that type of work.

But this brings up an interesting point that we might want to debate. (since we are helping you spend your money, we might as well help you make the right choice) . . .

I have 2 different box blades. The side plate profile of one of the brands is rectangular. The side plate profile of the other brand is a trapezoid. I never gave it any thought until after I got the newer blade and realized it was not a rectangle.

So here is my observation . . . the rectangular side plate is NOT as good as the trapezoid side plate, but it probably is cheaper to make. Here is my logic, when I tip the box so the front is down and the blade itself is just touching the ground, the trapezoid shape is NOT digging into the ground at the leading edge of the unit. When I do the same with my other blade, the leading edge of the rectangular side panels are now digging into the ground. When I'm smoothing the ground, it is easier to do with the trapezoid side plate.

By the way, when I say trapezoid shaped, I mean a true trapezoid that tapers from the front corner all the way back to the rear corner. I am not refering to a rectangle side plate that has the leading corner cut off about 2" back.

Anyone else ever run across this?

It may be that I only noticed it since I have 2 different blades from 2 different manufacturers?

Here is a picture of a TRAPIZOID sided box blade. The front edge of the side plate is a couple inches shorter than the back edge and the bottom edge of the side plate tapers up to the front edge.

Here is a picture of a RECTANGLE sided box blade (with cut corners at the front edge). The bottom and the top edges are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front and rear edges.

 

[Soundguy]

A box with ripper tines, or a box with ripper tines and a disc harrow.. depending on your budget.

Soundguy

 

[Henro]

I don't think it is an "or" situation. Certainly the box blade is a good starting point. But you will need more than that if you want to produce a flat surface to play soccer on.

At least for me flat is hard to do with the box blade... Now pretty flat is another issue...all depends what you want in the end I suppose...

I'd probably start with the box blade and see how things went as far as the finished prduct I was shooting for...

 

[txhawg]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would say the box blade would be helpful, I would probably use a cheap cultivator or harrow to break it all up first and then go back and level and smooth it out.You could also rent a 5' tiller. )</font>

If you till it up, won't it be too soft to play soccer on?

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you till it up, won't it be too soft to play soccer on? )</font>
Soil that gets well tilled from different angles will lead to a fine powdery material that will compact well over a short time. It will also be easier to level this way as the tiller will really break it up, eliminating the high spots pretty much.
John

 

[MadReferee]

You will have to compact the soil before playing. Soft soil that gives under foot is dangerous for players. When kicking the ball one foot is planted and used for leverage and soft soil will cause slipping and possible ankle injuries. As a referee I would never allow a game to be played where field conditions caused footing problems.

 

[ChickenNecks]

Thanks for the helpful advice, all!

MadReferee...good point...I guess that is a very important detail.

Lew

 

[chucko]

I saw a dozer the other day that a road crew used. it had on each side of the blade a thing that read a laser beam and it auto adjusted the blade as needed.

Sure would be nice if there was a cost affectave way for us to use something like that with our small tractors and box blades

 

[HomeBrew2]

Yeh, that sure would be nice! If you get that free compact equipment magazine the issue before the current one had a feature on a bobcat [front] mount grader ... as in a blade in front of the bobcat and wheels in front of the blade. The featured contractor had it outfitted for laser and did all his building slabs, finish grading and parking lots with it. Very cool ... most likely very pricey.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I saw a dozer the other day that a road crew used. it had on each side of the blade a thing that read a laser beam and it auto adjusted the blade as needed.

Sure would be nice if there was a cost affectave way for us to use something like that with our small tractors and box blades )</font>

The "Catch 22" there is COST EFFECTIVE.... There is such a critter. We're rebuilding 14 of 18 holes on the golf course here at work right now. "Course Crafters", the contractor, has a couple "pull-type" box scrapers, and one 3-point box that have laser grade capability. They're not in use at the moment, but when they are, I'll try to get a few pics.

Tee box structures are built dead level. They use these scrapers to level them. Currently, they're laying 24 acres of Zoyzia sod....

 

[Makers_Mark]

Bob_Skurka

YES! I've experienced this. I have a box blade which is rectangular. When tilted foward, the front sides keep the blade from digging in further. I have thought of cutting the sides into a trapezoid shape myself. I think I will. thanks for confiming that it is indeed better.