box scrapers...fixed or floating

[shiggy]

I'm shopping around for a box scraper and notice some offer a fixed tailgate and others offer a floating tailgate. What's the difference between the two? What's the advantages and disadvantages between the two? Would one leave a better final grade over the other? After purchasing one in a few months, I plan on doing some dirt leveling and gravel maintenance with it. I just can't decide between the two choices. I am currently looking at the woods models. The fixed model weighs in at 517 and the floating weighs in at 667. I know that weight would play a big factor in how well a box scraper will perform, but I want some more knowledge between the two before purchasing either one.

-shiggy

 

[shiggy]

I think I'll just go with the heavier box scraper which has the floating tailgate on it. I'll have to post my thoughts on it after I use it a few times this spring.

-shiggy

 

[johnk]

The hinged back blades are usually heavier duty. They will dig quicker because they sort of self clean when the hinge back opens. heavier is better and the hinged are usually heavier...I bought a hinged back at TSC.

 

[Glowplug]

I always thought that a floating tailboard would also leave a smoother finish. I'm not certain 'cause I haven't seen them in action though. I imagine if you have a hydraulic top link you could adjust the aggressiveness of the blade and thus how smooth the finish would be. That being said, I'd like to eventually get a floating tailboard BB with hydraulic scarifiers and a hydraulic top link. I have been looking at Cammond which are seriously heavy duty. The Woods BBs are nice. Let us know of your experience.

 

[johnk]

I have one from TSC and it is well built for the money.. Heavier gauge and more weight is what you want..

 

[john_bud]

I'm shopping around for a box scraper and notice some offer a fixed tailgate and others offer a floating tailgate. What's the difference between the two? What's the advantages and disadvantages between the two? Would one leave a better final grade over the other? After purchasing one in a few months, I plan on doing some dirt leveling and gravel maintenance with it. I just can't decide between the two choices. I am currently looking at the woods models. The fixed model weighs in at 517 and the floating weighs in at 667. I know that weight would play a big factor in how well a box scraper will perform, but I want some more knowledge between the two before purchasing either one.

-shiggy

Floating digs faster as the front blade is able to sink into the ground easier. The fixed one have the rear blade (yes there are 2 separate blades) hold up the box. Fixed is good for smoothing as you can tilt it back onto the fixed blade and just smooth without digging.

The best ones are able to unbolt the rear blade and let you choose to float or have it fixed.

jb

 

[radman1]

I can fix or float the rear blade on my box blade but almost always leave it in the float mode. The floating blade seems to do a better job of smoothing a final grade when the front of the box blade is tipped up.

 

[Julian Mule]

I can fix or float the rear blade on my box blade but almost always leave it in the float mode. The floating blade seems to do a better job of smoothing a final grade when the front of the box blade is tipped up.

What brand/model do you have Radman?
JM

 

[radman1]

What brand/model do you have Radman?
JM

I have had 3 different box blades over the years. I currently have an 80" gannon HD box blade with manual roll over scarifers, a hinged rear blade and high back. This one weighs over 1000#. I bought it on an auction for $600 this summer.
The other is a 60" gannon with hydraulic scarifers and a fixed/hinged rear blade that I bought at another auction 3 years ago for $400. This one weighs about 500 lbs.
I had a third, 65" Woods with manual scarifers and hinged back that I sold this summer with my Kubota tractor. Bought that one new at a dealer going out of business auction 6 years ago for $400.
All worked great. With my hydraulic TNT and hinged rear blade, the box blades work great. On my Woods, I could just raise the front of the box blade with the top cylinder without manually changing the scarifers when needed. This is where a hinged rear blade worked great. I could tip the front of the box blade up to keep the scarifers out of the ground and yet use the blade to dig. Shorten the top cylinder to dig with the scarifers. If I only had a fixed rear blade, then I couldn't dig with the box blade because a fixed rear blade would keep the front blade from digging if I had the front tipped up to keep the scarifers out of the ground. If you plan on using a hydraulic top link now or in the future, definitely consider the hinged back blade.

 

[bjr]

I got the 6' Five Point (Kingcutter) with flip tail. used it for about a year now and no complaints. I had to get local farm supply to order it though cause all they had was hard tails. bjr