Boxblade Question

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I have a boxblade but don't use it very often. I was using it last weekend with pretty good results for what I was trying to accomplish. When I do use it, I always just set it level and go. I know a lot of you guys use a hydraulic toplink for easily varying the front to back tilt. My question: what circumstances make you want to vary the tilt. I'm sure I'm not getting optimum results by not knowing the answer to this question.

 

[zeuspaul]

I use the top a lot when grading backward to increase/decrease the depth of cut. To cut when grading backward the box has to be tilted down. If she starts cutting too deeply you have to adjust the top as you go. If you run into a rock you may have to tilt way down to get a good grip on the rock and then tilt up to pry the rock up.

When backing into a pile of dirt I raise the box with the 3PT and tilt it all the way up. Then tilt down and drop the box to get a good bite and then pull the dirt out.

When dragging forward as in maintaining my dirt roads I finely tune the top to keep it level as the tractor goes up and down.

The wife's calling me for breakfast...

Zeuspaul

 

[schmism]

Tilt forward to engage rippers, more aggressive rear cut.

Tilt forward with rippers "up" while pushing backward to "smooth" things out (like a back drag on a FEL) as there is no "edge" to catch and dig in.

tilt back for the same effect as above when moving forward.

Tilt back for agressive digging in rev.


for general BB use, (cut off high spots, move to low) i run ~level

 

[Glowplug]

Tilt forward to engage rippers, more aggressive rear cut.

Tilt forward with rippers "up" while pushing backward to "smooth" things out (like a back drag on a FEL) as there is no "edge" to catch and dig in.

tilt back for the same effect as above when moving forward.

Tilt back for agressive digging in rev.


for general BB use, (cut off high spots, move to low) i run ~level

I always thought you weren't supposed to use a box blade in reverse due to the possibility of bending your lift arms.

 

[3RRL]

I always thought you weren't supposed to use a box blade in reverse due to the possibility of bending your lift arms.

Most have a rear blade for exactly that reason. You just have to be careful because you're right. The drag links were design for pulling, not pushing. So just be careful in reverse or beef up the drag links like I did. I use mine in reverse just like a bulldozer blade. I can cut crowns or level out slopes by cutting in reverse and get the desired results mush faster and better than dragging it forward. Check some of the threads out.

 

[MJPetersen]

I made a rollover BB which has 1/3 of its function is to push material. it works great because then your tractor rides on level smooth surface that you just graded. You can push off a bank that you could not drive down, or fill holes, or push up a mound of dirt that you could not drive over, and any number of things. Yes the lift arms are vulnerable, but they can be beefed up a bit. 3RRL put a "T" back on his. I made some new arms from heavy material. I have not had a problem with them since the change. The problem--a severe kink in the neck after an afternoon of dozing!!

Mike

 

[john_bud]

You tilt the box side to side to adjust the slope of the ground you are working. Fer instance, cutting a road into a hillside. You want the road to be cut deeper into the side of the hill. In fact, you want the slope of the road to be opposite the slope of the hill so water will be on the uphill side ditch of the road where you can dictate where it goes and when it crosses the road.

You can't do that with a level box. It's pretty nifty seeing 1/2 of the box digging in an having the box full so that the dirt is moved to the down hill side and out the gap in the back.

jb

 

[tony123]

I'm new to tractors, and have only had about 6-8 hours using my boxblade. I want to love it But I always seem to make a bigger mess than I started with. It is either riding the surface and doing nothing, or diggin in too deep and gouging.

 

[getindirty]

Tony and Hobby, Practice. Find a spot that you will not upset the family with and play around. Scarafiers and a box blade are a great tool for road and drives. Rip through the rock and compacted high areas and fill in the low spots. If you want to start a garden you can rip the sod and till up the dirt so that your walk behind tiller does not have to work soo hard (wait a few weeks for the ripped up sod to die). I use mine for concrete work. It preps sites fast and level. Most of the guys use skid steers but the attachments cost soo much I use a tractor (I'm not a big time contractor though, 50 yrd of crete per year).

 

[jbrumberg]

I agree with getindirty especially the practice part and finding a practice area out of sight of the family (in my case "She Who Must Be Obeyed" ). Jay