Decided against a box scraper

[Haywire]

I'm the guy who responded to Ian's post on Craigslist and told him about the new box grader at the local Kubota dealer for $330. Funny how paths cross, isn't it? I'm still holding out for the deal of the decade on a used one, so if I can get Ian to buy a new one I won't have to compete with him for the next great deal on a used one around here!! :laughing:

Just kidding, I'm mighty tempted by the new one also. My driveway is 900 feet of gravel that I've maintained by hand for the last 24 years. I'm liking the idea of mechanized assault on that beast!

Aha! Ulterior motives!

They have 2 types of box scraper from that company to choose from. Their "light duty" one and the "standard". The difference is that the light duty one has a smaller box capacity. It's shorter front to back. Construction and material are the same. The SD one is about 100lbs heavier and $100 more expensive. 220lbs for the LD and 320ish for the SD.

Ian

 

[sandman2234]

My neighbor has a four footer that probably has less than two hours on it. His tractor burnt and he replaced it with a larger tractor, so the 4' really is too small. If one of you plan on making a trip to Florida, grab a six footer and I am sure he would be tickled to trade you.
David from jax

 

[sodamo]

Just to muck up the thread....

When I bought my 1st tractor, I also included a boxblade in the list of must-haves. Not because I knew what I was doing, but because I was a student of TBN and knew I would have a long driveway to maintain when we moved.
It was with great anticipation, the first time I hooked it up and proceeded to work it's magic. Well, not quite . I soon found that I REALLY didn't want the scarfiers digging the rocks up from the base - boy what a mess
So, just using the blade I scraped and leveled, of course, there wasn't a whole lot of moveable material, but still an improvement. Had 2 loads (30 ton?) of 3/4" rock dumped and used my BB to move and level - much better. The next year, I had another 4 loads dumped. This time, I used my land rake instead of the BB - what a difference. Now that I have hydraulic TnT, I only use the rake on the drive. If I'm too aggressive, it will bring up the larger rocks which I really try not to do, otherwise I get the results I want.

Still have my BB and I foresee some other uses for it, but not appropriate for my drive. Guess it depends on the material etc.

I do use it as a weight for the loader at times.

Enjoy it.

 

[Chilly807]

I soon found that I REALLY didn't want the scarfiers digging the rocks up from the base - boy what a mess

This is the same problem I can see myself having. I know what's in my driveway under a layer of gravel, and I really don't want those rocks disturbed.

So, I'll continue to top dress it with class A, maybe sometime down the road it'll be deep enough to make use of a box blade. By that time I might have found one too...

Gordon's grader setup is more along the lines of what I need now, and looks like a dandy fab project for a couple years away.

Sean

 

[Haywire]

I went back to try to change the title of this thread to "Decided to buy a box scraper as soon as I can find one not nailed down, chained to something immobile or already mounted to someone else's tractor" but it wouldn't let me. You fellas are unapologetic enablers.

thanks,
Ian

 

[TripleR]

I went back to try to change the title of this thread to "Decided to buy a box scraper as soon as I can find one not nailed down, chained to something immobile or already mounted to someone else's tractor" but it wouldn't let me. You fellas are unapologetic enablers.

thanks,
Ian

We are just looking out for you; not even sure it is legal to own a tractor without a box scraper.:laughing:

 

[sodamo]

I went back to try to change the title of this thread to "Decided to buy a box scraper as soon as I can find one not nailed down, chained to something immobile or already mounted to someone else's tractor" but it wouldn't let me. You fellas are unapologetic enablers.

thanks,
Ian

Always willing to share the wealth, especially someone else's LOL

 

[dstig1]

Good luck finding one used, Ian. It seems like everyone gets one, and keeps it forever, so they never pop up used here. I don't think my ongoing CL search has EVER shown me a box blade in tha past ~yr or so. Bush hogs are next in line, but they seem to pop up at least rarely. Maybe you'll get lucky, but I really wouldn't count on it.

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

Good luck finding one used, Ian. It seems like everyone gets one, and keeps it forever, so they never pop up used here. I don't think my ongoing CL search has EVER shown me a box blade in tha past ~yr or so. Bush hogs are next in line, but they seem to pop up at least rarely. Maybe you'll get lucky, but I really wouldn't count on it.

That's what happened to me. Just got lucky. I can find a lot of used but it all 6' stuff. My lil' tractor wouldn't do much with a 6' box blade, efficiently anyway.

 

[Chilly807]

One thing I've found works is to post a "want" ad for whatever implement you're looking for. You'll have to sort out the ones that are gold-plated from the reasonable ones, but it might work for you.

Sean

 

[Haywire]

One thing I've found works is to post a "want" ad

I did that a few days ago, that's how Bluelick found me. That was the only reply I got from it.

I'm buying one of those $330 BBs from the dealer this week.

Ian

 

[ctgoldwing]

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.

That's what I did. I am the typical weekend warrior (too cold today for me) and I wanted one so I could use it when I wanted to - whether it was for an hour (my usual attention span) or all afternoon.

So far I have used it for:
ballast (always a good thing to have low ballast on a grade)
trimming my 500' gravel driveway twice
clearing 3/4 of an acre of woods - removing all the scrub bushes / trees and leveling it off nicely

Next spring I have a new lawn to plant. After getting several yards of topsoil delivered it will be used for speading it all out.

Its a handy implement

 

[jake98]

Next spring I have a new lawn to plant. After getting several yards of topsoil delivered it will be used for speading it all out.

You have to be talked into a york rake for that.
Hey, we have a goldwing too, how much do you love that thing?

 

[ctgoldwing]

You have to be talked into a york rake for that.
Hey, we have a goldwing too, how much do you love that thing?

lol - I thought about a rake. Actually I keep an eye open on Craigslist but the reality is I hate taking care of a lawn and putting in a new one next spring is a one time deal for me - I wouldn't have any other uses for it after that.

I HAD two Wings. The 1800 I sold 2 years ago with 140K miles on it. The 1500 had about 120K in '03. For LD touring they were great. Now I ride a fjr :thumbsup:

 

[jake98]

You rack up some miles.. Great picture. Ours is an 04, we love it.

I did my front lawn over this spring, used the roto-tiller on the whole thing first. Picked rocks for a few days, then raked it. I don't mind mowing, but rock picking is for the birds. It came out good, got rid of all the dips.

 

[TheSheriff]

In Southern Oregon, I watched CL for a good box scraper deal for the first 6 months I owned my tractor. It was a nightly ritual. All were too small, too beat up or broken for the price, or just flat overpriced.

I finally got tired of the search and picked up a new 5.5 on sale at the Branson dealer (Made by Kodiak). Not the best unit off the shelf, but after 100 pounds of steel (All "free" from other projects) and 3 dozen 7018 rods, It competes nicely with other HD units on the market.

Based on local CL prices, should I ever decide to sell it, I should make money.

 

[Haywire]

So based on my little tractor, should I get the 220lb or 320lb model?

Ian

 

[whitedogone]

You following me around? Seems like every forum I join, you're either already there or show up shortly thereafter. :laughing:

That's it. I'm going to join a flower arranging forum and see if you find me again.

Ian

Already there:

 

[blueriver]

So based on my little tractor, should I get the 220lb or 320lb model?

Ian

I would choose the 320 lb'er

 

[Haywire]

Already there:

Aargh! Foiled again! :laughing:

I would choose the 320 lb'er

Thanks, I went back to the dealer again today and asked what the 320 cost out the door and it's almost $150 more. I think I'll get the lighter one and add some inexpensive weight to it if need be.

Ian