Rake BX-23 3 point Rake vs Box Blade

[RonTom]

Good question and good responses. I have a similar project planned.
I bought a BX-23 about 1-1/2 years ago and when I bought it I worked a Woods 48" box blade into the deal. I got the BX-23 and the blade for $15,000. As I remember, the dealer said the Woods BB was about $450 The Woods unit is real solid and I recommend it for it's intended use. However, $800 for 48" BB sounds like way too much. Then again, houses in Connecticut that cost $400,000 would only be about $80,000 here in Ohio.

When I bought the tractor and BB I was putting in a driveway of 4 acres in West Virginia. The trucks couldn't get into the property so I had to spread 75 Tons of "grizzly" with the combination FEL and BB. (Grizzly in WVa is unsorted gravel -from sand/clay to 4" rocks. It packs really hard over time and make a great base, almost like concrete.)

However I now have an project similar to yours. I bought a new house in Ohio that has a terrible yard - all moss with low muddy spots. It needs to be graded and a "french-drain" put in. Of course I can do the french-drain with the backhoe and FEL, but for redoing the yard the BB may be too much. It will really dig in, even without the "scarfers" attached. Plus it won't work for braking up chunks of dirt or sorting out debris. I was thinking of buying a Tiller or "Power-Rake" (see the Woods Equipment site) but both are%

 

[Delaware Devil]

I've got a question. Why is everyone talking buying implements from dealers?? When I need something I start looking at craigslist farm and garden section. My area and those close by. That's how I've gotten all my implements except 2 for my BX 2360. Just last week I picked up a 48 inch Farm Force box blade for $150 (needs one scarfier) I got it to replace a woods 48 inch box blade that was stolen. Paid $300.00 for the woods. I got a Land Pride 1548 rotary cutter for $300, a 5'woods back blade for 300 all used, but in good shape. I figure why new when I'm only going to use it and scratch them up anyway. Look at Craigslist, E-Bay (click on nearest first) Look at your local papers, and check out the farm auctions in your area. All good sources for economical equipment.

 

[KubotaEd]

If you really want to move dirt or rock there is a tool that is much better than any box blade, however it may be a little too large for your tractor. I use a B2410 4-wheel drive, and it handles this piece of equipment just fine.

Go to Hoelscher Commercial Products - DB Scraper to see the Hoelscher DB Series Scraper. This model is 4 feet wide and will dig and pick up a good load of material and haul it to where you want to spread it and dump and level very nicely.

I have used mine to turn a city ball diamond. I dug up the grass in the old center field and moved it off and pile it than I dug up the old infield and spread it down where they wanted the new infield, then filled in and leveled the old infield with the dirt I dug up from where the new infield is. I also used it to level a small park and several driveways.

The ball park was not a one day job with this equipment, but it turned out very well.

When I purchased mine about 9 years ago the price was $3900.

Just a thought,
KubotaEd