Decided against a box scraper

[Haywire]

I was considering the pros and cons of buying a box scraper today. The only thing I would really use it for is grading the 150yd driveway once a year and helping friends (# of friends seem to multiply when you have equipment). I don't have problems with the driveway washing, it just settles and occasionally needs that hump in the middle knocked off.

A 448HD grader from everything implements costs about $520 after shipping (no commercial dock available to take advantage of free shipping). I called around and can rent one for $40/day. Assuming that I grade the driveway once a year, I can rent one for 13 years before buying one would pay for itself and I don't have to worry about maintenance, storage, theft, or grading my rapidly multiplying friend's driveways.

Does this sound like good logic?
Ian

 

[bp fick]

Ian, there isn't anything wrong with your thinking, with the only downside being the hassle or going and coming to the rental yard, with the gas of doing so attendant.

Another option is wait until "one washes up on your beach", so to speak. In other words, a good, solid used one shows up in your life, for a give away price. Happens all the time.

I've done the same math on a backhoe/excavator and it's a no brainer for me.

 

[Haywire]

the only downside being the hassle of going and coming to the rental yard, with the gas of doing so attendant.

Yes, that is a consideration. There isn't a place in my town that rents one. I have to drive about 30 minutes one way down the interstate to get to it.

Ian

 

[blueriver]

Not to mention all the other task you find that a good blade can do!!

 

[Haywire]

For instance?

 

[blueriver]

For instance?

Well, just to name a couple ... I have lowerd the sacrificers to remove small tree roots, pull up concrete ... I have filled in wash outs by lowering the blade and backing in pushing the dirt in some pretty bad areas, I scrape out the feedlots, the hog pens... Its amazing how much dirt can be moved ... have a truck drop off a load in a pile and in no time its where you want it at the depth you need it. Put a 2" Ball on the back and you can move your trailers around ... also extra weight!!

 

[jake98]

pushing snow..

 

[blueriver]

pushing snow..

I did forget that one ... silly me!!

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Looks like u use for a carry all too Jake.

Rick

 

[Haywire]

This tractor purchase opened a can of worms I hadn't anticipated. Now I need hog pens to justify an attachment to grade my drive.

 

[/pine]

what I would do...just an opinion...

I would rent a box blade with scarifiers as big as the tractor will handle...

rip up the entire drive...right, left and hump in the middle using the rippers set aggressively and making as many passes as required...this should leave it rough but fairly level...(move piles into holes were required)

Then set the adjustable side link to tilt the box blade...I would pitch the entire driving surface to the natural low side starting on that side with the box blade tilted back (for smoothing moving forward)...
...the concept is to get the pitch from 6"-12" inches higher on one side than the other depending on how wide the lane is...

pitching the surface should eliminate the "hump in the middle" effect from recurring...if it is not washing now it should not be a problem after re-configuring the driveway...

It usually takes a couple of good rains and some traffic to get all the material packed down again (after ripping it up) and sometimes it requires a second address to get the pitch right...but this type of application should only be required once every 3-4 years if it is not any more of a problem then originally described...

 

[blueriver]

This tractor purchase opened a can of worms I hadn't anticipated. Now I need hog pens to justify an attachment to grade my drive.

Yep and then the hogs .... BUT good eatin and excellent fertilize for the garden AND you can spread it on the garden ... as THICK as you like!!

 

[teg]

Personally, I would not buy new... Depending on your area you should be able to get one for about half that price off of Craig's list. :2cents:

 

[blueriver]

Personally, I would not buy new... Depending on your area you should be able to get one for about half that price off of Craig's list. :2cents:

All kidding a side ... you have made the best statement thus far.

 

[TripleR]

What do you use now for counter balance on the back?

 

[jake98]

I haven't used anything up to now. I have the metal ready for a 3ph carry all and an ammo box filled with 320lbs of lead that I plan to use on it. My buddy will be welding up the carryall this weekend.

Ian

That's alot of weight, good for operating. It'll be a pain when you switch attachments when you get them. I have a store bought carry-all that I haven't used since I got other stuff. Now I leave the roto-tiller on, or the box blade.

 

[nickel plate]

Not trying to second guess-you need to re-think your decision against not wanting to purchase a box scraper as it will provide excellent and mandatory counter weight ballast for the FEL. It will practially live full time on the back of your tractor as one of the most useful tools in the arsenal.

 

[RoMad]

I have been thinking of buying a used box blade or building one. I spent part of an evening looking on craigslist and I found quite a few of them withing 75 miles of where I live. Most were in the $250 range for good quality ones. One was only 6 months old and was half price.
In the end I decided to build one. They are cleaning up after a large project where I work and they gave me enough material to build 4 or 5 box blades.

 

[qball98]

I would look around locally for a good used one even a new one should be cheaper than that. I bought a new atlas 4 ft. last year for $375. It is not the fanciest one made but it does the job and makes a good counterweight.