Rear Blade Does FEL + Rear Blade = Box Blade?

[CWP37]

If you buy a tractor with a FEL, can you buy a rear blade and still do all of the things you could with a box blade? It seems to me that a FEL could do the dirt moving that the "box" on a box blade does. I know it depends on what you want to do, but just wanted to hear you guys' opinions.

 

[MadDog]

IMHO, no. Although you can grade with a rear blade, you can't really break up subsurface with a rearblade, nor can you with an FEL, unless it has a toothbar (and even then it really isn't efficient for that purpose). The scarifiers on a boxblade allow you to break through small and medium sized roots and loosen rocks while collecting material in the boxblade.

I find that a boxblade is MUCH more versitile and useful than a rearblade and is a better combination with an FEL for earthmoving work. Of course, for just light grading, pushing material off to the side of a driveway, a rearblade should be fine.

Hope this helps.

 

[johnk]

Like Maddog said , I think a Box Scraper is the best tool to use when leveling dirt and gravel etc. The scarfers help in tuning over that little bit of uneveness and the boxes blade levels it nicely..

 

[rdln]

I would also say no, just like if I put a flip down blade on my york rake would not make it a true rear blade either.

here http://www.tractorbynet.com/photos/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/2818 you can see a job I did last spring with my box blade (sub frame hoe for the tight spots.) I would not have taken the job If I only had a rear blade and loader.

 

[CWP37]

Thanks.

 

[James1720]

When I first got my Ford 1720 (15 years ago) I used the Fel to do a lot of dirt work filling in around buildings and making driveways. I got my straight blade for maintenance. I put down half inch rock on the driveway and didn't like the blade so I got a landscape rake for maintenance on it and it works the best for that application. I now have a box blade (2 years). The straight blade sits most of the time. The Fel and box blade is the more useful combo, I think, for moving material. I have better luck keeping it from gouging to deep and levering up when the back wheels go over a high spot. I also like the box blade for pushing material to level it. The Fel doesn't see as much action either which I think is easier on the tractor. It is amazing how much can be accomplished with a 4wd compact tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Tom_H]

I will not repeat the excellent points others have made, but will add these points. The box can fill with a volume of soil which can then be pulled some distance and unloaded, and do so while leaving the surface relatively smooth. If you transfer soil with the FEL, the surface will need a good deal of re-grading afterwards. Additionally, a BB with topNtilt will give SO much more versatility if molding the landform you desire. A FEL and RB would take much more time to accomplish the same.

 

[Birdhunter1]

The biggest problem with a rear blade is they like to float up too much. A good heavy box blade won't do it near as bad because it has the scarifiers to keep it down. That being said each has their place in the world of tractoring. A box blade is not as good in my opinion when you are removing snow or backfilling or ditching.