BoxBlade Questions

[ronbo3]

I am having trouble getting my BB to work like I want. It doesn't seem to raise high enough -- only about 12" off the ground in back, and I wonder if changing the top link to connect either higher/lower to the back of the tractor will help. It is now attached at the top of the 3 holes. Would moving it lower help, or is this just the way it is designed, or is there something else I need to adjust? Tractor newbie here, any advice is appreciated!

 

[tc35dforme]

I guess my question is why more height ??? The box blade is a grading tool. If you have mounds more than 12" maybe you need to rough grade with the loader or some other equipment before going in for the final grade.

 

[rdln]

I would disagree that is just a grading tool. I have used mine countless times to break off the tops off dirt piles that have settled and are little too crusty to break into with my loader. I would want as high of a lift as I could get to back up and over the pile, drop the bb with teeth down and pull material forward. Because a bb sits off the back so far the higher the better.

The limiting factor is tire size!!!

 

[BigAl]

If you have a adjustable top link try shorting it up some . It will give you more height at the rear of the box .It will also change the amount of the front edge clearance by a equal amount so go easy and try to find a happy medium .
Big Al

 

[Henro]

I think it is the angle that the box blade is at when it contacts the ground what is important.

Adjust the top link to make the angle of contact less or more, depending on whether you want to dig in less or more. What I mean is if the front of the box blade hits the ground at a steeper angle, it will dig in more. If you adjust it so the rear blade hits the ground first, you will not dig in, but will smooth things pretty well.

Hope this makes sense. The top link adjustment is the key to good box blade operation for me.

I love my box blade... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif... my tractors. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif..and my wife(she's the best...) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dltimmons]

To try and answer your question, yes, if you move the top link to a lower hole on the tractor, it will lift the back of whatever you have on the three point hitch, higher off the ground. My tractor has three different positions to install the pin for the top link, on the back of the tractor. Each position offers differing tilt to whatever is attached to the three point hitch. Once you have the top link in the right position on the tractor, to get the amount of lift you want, you can shorten, or lengthen the adjustable top link to get the angle you want for the box blade, or other implement, to engage the ground the amount you need.

Clear as mud, huh?

Try it, you'll like it.

DT

 

[theboman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would disagree that is just a grading tool. I have used mine countless times to break off the tops off dirt piles that have settled and are little too crusty to break into with my loader. I would want as high of a lift as I could get to back up and over the pile, drop the bb with teeth down and pull material forward. Because a bb sits off the back so far the higher the better.

The limiting factor is tire size!!!
)</font>

Breaking off the top of a dirt pile, wouldn't that be grading?

 

[ronbo3]

Thank you dltimmons! That was what I wanted to know. The tractor came with the top link attached to the top hole, and I couldn't get the shredder to sit like I wanted, and the BB was even more out of adjustment. The owner's manual recommended either of the two lower places, and I wanted to know how top link placement affects the implement. TBN to the rescue again---thanks guys!

 

[rdln]

<font color="blue"> only about 12" off the ground in back </font>

now that I reread the original post I see his concern was the rearend of the box blade and of course decreasing the top link length would do that (but would render the functional aspect of a box blade useless), Boman, I'm was referring to large dirt mounds that I would want to move with the loader to an area a good distance away or onto a truck etc.

 

[ronbo3]

Exactly! I had a large pile of white rock and tried to back into it and pull it forward, but the BB wouldn't raise high enough. I finally used the FEL to pull the top of the pile low enough to use the BB and finish dragging and smoothing with it. Like I said, I'm new to this and I learn something every time I go out. Just wishing I didn't have to learn EVERTYHING by trial and error, and error, and error...... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[ScottAR]

Patience is the key when breaking down piles with a Box. Back up till the tires spins and then pull that load down. Repeat until you get to the top. It's usually faster to just use the FEL to break the pile down. With stone it's easier for me to just use the FEL only. Dirt is easiest to break down the pile with the FEL and then use the box.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[HayDR]

If you would use a hydraulic toplink one time you would realize that a boxblade's utility can be multiplied 3 times with the use of a hydraulic toplink.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( a boxblade's utility can be multiplied 3 times with the use of a hydraulic toplink )</font>

And I'd say "3 times" is a conservative estimate. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[_RaT_]

Personally, I would not bother using my boxblade if I did not have a hydraulic top link, it's that important. It also comes in very handy for my mower when mowing over edges. It also works very well with my landscape rake. If there is one item to add to your tractor now or down the road, it's a hydraulic top link. I'll guarantee it!

 

[ScottAR]

Oh I want one!! I have a few other $$ things in the way at the moment but I will get one!!

 

[NIXON]

CCI . My top link measures 19" closed , 29-30" extended .
Thats center of pin to center of pin .
Which of the three cylinders you list would best fit my machine ? I'm guessing it would be the third you have listed .
( L3130 ). John

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Personally, I would not bother using my boxblade if I did not have a hydraulic top link, it's that important. </font>

Rat, I would not go that far! Especially since I do use my box blade and love it and I don't have a hydraulic top link (yet). /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Still, I think it is like dial up vs broadband internet connections. Dial up is fine until you have broadband for a while. Then there is no going back. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hey! I may have just stumbled on a way to get my wife to understand why I need that T&T!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif