Grading BX22 level off yard

[bobbart]

I am looking to level off my yard its grassed but it is very uneven humps and such. I am tossed between rototilling it and then having to drag it with a rake or use a box blade and try to just pull down the highs and fill the lows. It would be alot cheaper to just buy a box blade.
My next question is will my BX22 handle a 5 foot box blade or do I need to go with a 4 foot? I am kind of hoping for the 5 foot, not because of the extra foot. That its available for store pickup for a little less than the 4 foot plus shipping since the stores do not stock them nor do ship to store for free.

 

[Tomtint]

Would it be easier to fill in the low spots. Instead of cutting the high spots ?

 

[bobbart]

I dont think, its pretty bad. I would have to get tons of topsoil and drag it around. lol

Thats why I am thinking that taking off the highs and filling lows with a box blade would be best and cheapest
1

 

[bcp]

I have a 4ft subcompact-sized blade, and never had a problem moving a full box. A standard Cat 1 box blade will hold a bit more. It would help if you told us the make and model blade you are looking at.

Box blades may differ in more than the width. If the 5ft blade is the same dimensions as the 4ft, except for width, you would be pulling only about 2 cubic feet more dirt.


Bruce

 

[diesel85]

Give me a tractor without a loader and just a box blade and I can make great things happen even with a small SCUT.

I did my whole poll barn driveway in 1 day with the box blade. I barely used the loader, only to pick up a couple things. But the box blade did 99% of the work.

You get someone experienced behind the wheel with a box blade, and they can make it more level than a moto-grader.

It's also the first ground engaging implement I recommend when anyone buys a tractor. You learn A LOT about the varying degree of angles the 3PT has, which will also help you use other implements more effectively.

 

[dougtrr2]

I think you may need to till and use a box blade. I think the the box blade may have a hard time with the sod. Even if it cuts if off it will tend to clump up and not spread out. I would go for tilling first and then box blade.

Doug in SW IA

 

[Tomtint]

I had a BX22 and a 5' blade as well as a 4' box blade. The 5' blade was to light to really do any cutting and the tractor itself had such a short wheel base, it made it difficult to grade with the 4' box blade.

 

[Diggin It]

This may be in a K forum asking about a particular model, but I have the same issue. Lots of uneven spots from various causes. Part of my place is mostly red rock gravel with a bit of dirt on top holding mostly weeds with a few bladed of grass. Plan (once the mud goes away) is to till. Problem is that will bring up a lot of fist sized rocks. That means raking but I don't have a landscape rake yet. At least I'll be able to use the resulting gravel in other places. Once I get the bigger rock off, I'll seed. In my case, dragging with a back blade would pull what little organic material and plant/grass roots away. I'd rather have weeds in this area than nothing at all. Can't afford to do the top soil thing.

 

[Tomtint]

It may be cheaper and faster to get someone with a skidsteer and a rock rake on the front to come in and smooth off the yard. I had one several years ago when I built our house and it was extremely fast..and we have a very large yard. You can easily do more than 1acre in about 1 hour..and it's pool table flat. With no leftover rocks to deal with.

 

[Ortimber]

A 5ft BB would "work" behind your tractor if the soil is loose. However, you may find that your tractor will get light in the front end or run out of traction when the BB fills with dirt. If it were me, I'd go with a 4ft.