Boxblade Usefulness Survey

Anonymous Poster · Jan 22, 2002

Ya know Bird... I was thinking....{dangerous.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif}

With you closing up your Air Tool Repair Business... you now have a new computer and new word processor....ummmmm...

How about you writing a Box Blade Implement Operators Manual - 101 Ways To Get The Most Out Of It... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Well....? /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Bird · Jan 22, 2002

John, I wrote, or supervised the writing of, lots of manuals before I retired; don't intend to write any more of them./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Harv · Jan 22, 2002

wouldn't have thought anyone could write 14 pages worth about a box blade.

And most of that, if it's like my rotary cutter operator's manual, is warranty information, safety disclaimers, details on where to find all the stickers, maintenance instructions, replacement parts and specifications.

If you want to know how to actually use the thing, well, that's something you're already supposed to know. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

fractal · Jan 23, 2002

Well, sign me up for a copy. I would buy one.

I have dumped 7 yards of dirt into the yard and dragged, scrapped, pulled and cursed with that box blade and I am not convinced it is any better now that it was when I started. I have tried it tilted forward, tilted back, tilted left, tilted right. The only thing I haven't done is take the pins out of the movable back flap to let them move.

I guess the good part is it gets me on the tractor more

Harv · Jan 23, 2002

stop by and pick it up anytime (half-inch power drill)

Thanks, Bird. I'll swing by on my way to Virginia. Keep your eye out for an S-10 pickup with a full load of pink paint. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

WVBill · Jan 23, 2002

Someone here, I think, pointed us to this link once before.

You want to see manuals?! The US Army has MANUALS!

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.adtdl.army.mil/atdls.htm>http://www.adtdl.army.mil/atdls.htm</A>

The ones in the library under "Field Manuals" "Engineering" are most appropriate for TBN topics.

Timd · Jan 23, 2002

Thanks for that link...the manual on Hydraulics is a good read
for TBNers.

Timd

gordon · Jan 23, 2002

There is quite a bit of good reads on that site. But remember to look under field manuals. One manual that fits this thread is EARTH MOVING[/b]

Here is a link right to the field manual page alot to wade through but well worth it. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.adtdl.army.mil/atdls.htm>http://www.adtdl.army.mil/atdls.htm</A>

Some great stuff and you can't beat the price
Gordon

glennmac · Jan 23, 2002

Rick, Interesting point about the length issue on a smaller tractor. Since I wrote those comments, I realize that rippers aren't going to work well, if at all, in hard soil unless they are weighted. I would think that even a cheap boxblade weighs more than a landscape rake with rippers. Nothing in the past year has convinced me to get a boxblade, however. Even if they work, I don't think I would have any use for one. I don't see how you could "cut trails" in the woods with one. My woods have trees and bushes that only a shredder can get rid of. I am convinced that boxblades should be as heavy as possible, from what I read here. At least 800 lbs on a B Kubota. More on a bigger tractor.

RAllen · Jan 24, 2002

Glen

My hilly terrain has many rocks on the surface so I use the following method to clear a trail. Using the boxblade with rippers down I make my trail by going around bigger trees and over smaller saplings. Once in awhile, I must use my chainsaw. In this case, I saw the stump at ground level or slightly below. After I move the rocks with the ripper and the downed timber logs by hand or FEL, I use my brush hog to take care of the small trees and misc. brush. I then go back to the box blade and rip up the soil a little more then do a little grading the high spots. This is adequate for my tractor trails which work very well for snow tracs and ATVs. Montana mountain brush is not as thick as Georgia underbrush so techniques will differ depending on where you live.

Weight is the most important factor for any ripping and is the reason to buy the biggest (heaviest) boxblade you can buy. I did not get the most out of my box until I added hydro. tilt.

Rick