Boxblade Usefulness Survey

[Bird]

Glenn, I can understand the box blade bouncing over things such as you describe in your driveway. But I don't understand how any other kind of blade would do differently, or better. Can someone 'splain that to me?

Bird

 

[ERNIEB]

Part of my driveway is on a hill, when I built that part I used a straight blade to pull the ditches, and angled it so the dirt would be thrown up on the driveway. After I got the base down, I wanted to increase the depth of the ditches. I used the box blade, since I didn't want the dirt on either side of the ditch. Once I got it in piles, I loaded it on my little dump and hauled it off. I would say that sums up the difference in the two blades. Since I've done that I haven't found much use for either one. To spread base I usually use the FEL, and back drag it. I had an idea to use the scarifiers to get rid of some blankity blank prickly pear. It didn't work too well. I'll have to agree with Bird on the bouncing, hopping, thing.

 

[Rowski]

I'll try to 'splain it. I don't think the issue is having an attachment that will do it better. It's more of spending the money for something and not using it to its fullest. The soil is rocky so the box blade and regual blade will not work. I think cutting a ditch in rocky soil is hard with either a box or regular blade. You need equipment that is ment for the job...BACKHOE. So buy a nice expensive box blade that you can only use to spread fresh soil or finer gravel and then have it sitting around, not me. If I could afford it I would have every implement possible. I don't have that money so I have to make due with what I have. End plates and I have a "box type blade". Another thing to factor in here is snow. A blade is more productive than the box blade for snow removal. Double duty attachment. I must say the shanks would nice to loosen up the soil on occasion but then buying them seperate must still be cheaper.

If the soil condition are right a box blade is good, if you got many uses. For where I am it is not a good buy at least not for me.

Derek

 

[Harv]

Glenn -

I guess "rocky" is a relative term. Compared to valley soil out here, my stuff is definitely rocky. Compared to what you have, though, mine is nearly rock-free. Funny how that works. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

For the soil I have, scarifiers are a great asset. My only complaint is that with the box blade I have, adjusting the rippers is a real pain in the pudding. Bird -- you think you have the same box I do. Do you struggle with the ripper shanks, or am I just a spoiled little computer brat who can't handle a little inconvenience?

Final question for me -- short of the almighty backhoe, is there something more effective than a blade, box or otherwise, for digging ditches? Did someone mention a "scoop" or something like that?

 

[Bird]

Ok, Derek, I can certainly see how the regular blade would be better for snow, and I don't need anything for that./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif But I got the impression that folks were thinking it was better for moving dirt in rocky conditions, and I couldn't understand that. Of course, you're right; a backhoe would be great, but I don't have enough use for one to spend that kind of money.

Bird

 

[Rowski]

Seems like everything is a compromise. We try to do the best with what we got and what we know. Maybe some day all the rocks will be heaved out of the ground by the frost and after picking them all /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif we (New England) will have that wonderful soil for box blade use /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

I will say that a FEL is the most versitle implement for the money. I'm sure most people who have them agree.

Derek

 

[Bird]

Yep, I never even considered a tractor without a front end loader. Never did like those contraptions with one wheel in the front and two handles on the back, and I don't even own one anymore either./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[Rowski]

You must mean a W H E E L B A R R O W . I see you can get them with 2 wheels... still like the 4 wheeled hydraulic operated ones /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif.

Derek

 

[jimmoore]

my box blade is this poor boys' bulldozer. I use mine to grade my driveway. I also use it to push brush piles up for burning. I made tobacco mony clearing snow from parking lots here in town during the winter. We usually have wet slushy snow and every one wants it moved before nightfall and it freezes solid. Also stay busy spreading new sand and gravel on driveways. I would have a box blade around even if I had fel. jim

 

[gordon]

In my area a boxblade is very useful for the heavy work, I use mine for a bunch of different tasks but mostly for the heavy work. I also have a blade with endplates and guage wheel and a rake with gauge wheels all very useful for different tasks of dirt work. Of course a hydraulic top link, I wish that I had two more remotes one for the side link and the other to make my blade wheel hydraulic. But to top it off I'd love to have a Harley rake.

The others have already covered the basics and some of the advantages of the box in the right hands it's a very productive tool. But it does take time to master and once you do watch out!

Gordon