Don't want to be a Box Blade idiot

GaryE · Jul 7, 2005

Re: Don\'t want to be a Box Blade idiot

Eddie,

I have got to respect the opinion of a man who has found a girlfriend who likes to weld /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I just see all of these Box Blade posts and have to wonder? I am skeptical as to what it can do, but have to wonder if it is not worth the investment. It seems like Box Blades might be as controversial a subject as welding, which I have decided to steer clear of /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Thank for your input,

Gary

vetteman · Jul 9, 2005

Re: Don\'t want to be a Box Blade idiot

Gary I have a Kubota 4310 with glide shift I pull a 72 " KK box blade and it works just fine . The BIG rocks are going to be a challege though...no matter what sizt box you have !!!!!!! I use to dairy farm for a living and I had some very rocky fields you will get breakage no dought about it its just aa fact. Just take it careful and DONT try and dig big rocks out with one side of your FEL !!!!!!!!! You will bend it and you wont be happy. If you get a lot of big rocks it would pay you to have someone come in with a dozer or rent an excavator for a weekend.

Slamfire · Jul 9, 2005

Re: Don\'t want to be a Box Blade idiot

( I think Joe has a good point, but I'd be tempted to drag an old hunk (at least 6') of I-beam before the chainlink fence. On several acres a boxblade could get tedious. Maybe rent the disc, find an old I-beam, buy the boxblade?
I gave you some of my tractor specs for comparison because I don't know anything about your 3710. ) A friend of my wife's, put a trailer on her property to live in. She insisted I take $20 to remove her trailer tounge and haul it away. I cut the arms to the length necessary to pull rocks from the middle and edge of my driveway and dump them in the tire tracks when towed with the wide side of the V forward, and makes a pretty good leveler when towed with the point of the V forward. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Slamfire · Jul 9, 2005

Re: Don\'t want to be a Box Blade idiot

( I think Joe has a good point, but I'd be tempted to drag an old hunk (at least 6') of I-beam before the chainlink fence. On several acres a boxblade could get tedious. Maybe rent the disc, find an old I-beam, buy the boxblade?
I gave you some of my tractor specs for comparison because I don't know anything about your 3710. ) A friend of my wife's, put a trailer on her property to live in. She insisted I take $20 to remove her trailer hitch and haul it away. I cut the arms to the length necessary to pull rocks from the middle and edge of my driveway and dump them in the tire tracks when towed with the wide side of the V forward, and makes a pretty good leveler when towed with the point of the V forward. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Just cut up the soil with a disk or or plow and drag the trailer tounge over the loose dirt. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

GaryE · Jul 9, 2005

Re: Don\'t want to be a Box Blade idiot

Well folks, I really do appreciate all of your input. I think I have decided to pick up a 65" – 72" medium to heavy-duty Box Blade. Worse case, I will use it to maintain my new driveway and to help maintain the road. I am hoping I can level out some of the ridges in the fields just enough to be able to cut them with a finish mower or even my GT 5000. I am not looking for a perfect lawn. If not I will go with the discs or even a dozer if needed. For those who have pointed out it is not a good idea to level a whole field with a Box Blade, your point is well taken. 80% of my fields are ok.

As for pulling the large rocks, I think I will just try using the BH and FEL for now. I seem to have no problems with that technique so far. I have pulled out some biguns.

I already have chainlink fences I drag around and I will be picking up an I beam. And, I have access to a York Rake.

So given the above, are there any opinions on a floating versus a fixed tail gate, pros / cons? I am looking at the Woods GB or SR series right now.

Again, thank for all of the input.

Gary

HomeBrew2 · Jul 11, 2005

Re: Don\'t want to be a Box Blade idiot

Although I enjoyed reading the advantages of the hinged rear blade on a BB in previous threads, I am glad I don't have one. I am, successfully, doing some land smoothing (not leveling) using just the rear blade (front blade on BB removed) and the scaifiers. I have some thick weed stubble and pretty lumpy ground. I want to mix, not remove, the stubble and just smooth everything out. With the front blade removed, the box doesnt carry much dirt especially with the top link lengthened so, I don't wind up with piles of dirt at the end or each pass. My scarifiers hang about 2" below the box but with it racked back and having very hard clay dirt, only penetrate about 1/2". In that arrangement, the box actually cuts abrupt high spots and fills low spots thus mitigating the usual action of a BB of following the exact ground contour.

GaryE · Jul 11, 2005

Re: Don\'t want to be a Box Blade idiot

HomeBrew2,

I think I understand your point.

For you and anyone else still hanging in there on this thread (sorry for all of the meandering) I think I have decided on a woods GB72. I spoke to the dealer today and he gave me a price of $1,050.00. Was a little shocked but understand the price of steal and fuel has gone way up.

Well I was going back down tomorrow to see if he will cut me deal on the GB72 and a woods bush hog. I called a few other dealers in the area and his price is not out of line. One other dealer offered me a Land Pride for about $850.00. Is it worth the $200 savings? My gut feeling is it is not. Every time I try to save a buck I find in the long run I am sorry. Any one have any experience with the Land Pride over the Woods?

Thanks again for all the input. Not sure why this is such an issue!!!

Gary