Contemplating a box blade

[Username Taken]

I'm thinking about getting a box blade to level out soil.

Anyone have/used the TSC ones?

Otherwise, what's good?

I bought one this year. Rented the trailer from them to get it home.

This makes exactly one (1) Box Blade I have ever owned but my buddy says it's as good as he's ever seen for the job.

 

[oosik]

If you get a box blade - get one with scarifiers. I have a Bush Hog 720 - 72" wide. It's very handy to be able to scarify as you level. Definitely speed up the leveling process.

 

[amarsh64]

Woods BSM72P . Works awesome . Very well built and Lots of weight.

 

[darmstrong2319]

https://www.sweettractors.com/New-Titan-Imp-3206-6-Ft-HD-Box-Blade-p/titan3206bb.htm

What is a five ft cost and weigh

 

[npalen]

If you get a box blade - get one with scarifiers. I have a Bush Hog 720 - 72" wide. It's very handy to be able to scarify as you level. Definitely speed up the leveling process.

That is definitely true especially in hard and difficult to penetrate soil. The scarifiers will penetrate the hardpan and the box will move it, all in the same pass.

 

[Rich B1]

On a smaller tractor, you want a blade just wide enough to cover your rear tire tracks. You can move enough material to run out of traction.

I keep hearing about weight, but, and this will likely get me flamed, IMO, technique makes up for weight. I have a 4’ King Kutter XB for the NH and I can dig more material than I have traction.

IMO a box blade is mostly a grading tool that requires careful adjustment and patience….as in this is not an attachment you are going to use quickly. Slow travel speed is a must to get a good result.

Learning how the top link affects the pitch and working action of the blade is crucial. Getting the blade pitch correct allows you to dig, move, spread, and smooth.particularly moving/spreading can be relatively fine adjustment.

The scarifiers are invaluable for breaking up hard pack. I tend to use mine alone and simply break up material before using the blade. IME, that works better for me. YMMV.

I mainly use the rear blade to smooth driving forward. I have used it to push loose material. But IMO, using it as a dozer blade is limited to loose material only.

Soil moisture will also affect how well it works. Too wet it is a mess, too dry it is a mess.

Good luck on finding a blade to suit your needs

 

[masscity]

About 6 years ago I bent my lower arm on my 3pt hitch on my B7100DT pushing a deadfall, so you can bend it. Pushing loose dirt probably won't be a problem.

A few years ago I bought a CMI dump trailer, so I added hydraulic lines to the front and back of the tractor. Now I added a hydraulic top link for my KingKutter

48" box blade. Sure is nice now for adjustment.

 

[jk96]

My box blade just sits after purchasing a landplane. Haven't used it in 4 years. Most of my leveling is road maintenance so the landplane is the go to piece of equipment.

 

[SmallChange]

True utility/capability of a box blade only happens if you can easily adjust the top link on the fly. On a smaller tractor you may be able to reach it from the seat, but it will still be tedious. On a bigger tractor, you'll need a hydraulic top link.

Product idea: a top link that has a simple gear drive, so you can attach a crank handle like the jack handles that come with most cars. Maybe some sort of hanger bearing, too, that keeps the handle up in the air where you can reach it. No need for a hydraulic circuit to drive it. I'm thinking you'd get a lot of utility out of this level of "easily".

 

[Xfaxman]

Product idea: a top link that has a simple gear drive, so you can attach a crank handle like the jack handles that come with most cars. ---------------

Check this thread: Top link ratchet adjustment

And: ratchet top link - Image Search