Draft Control

[roy49]

Hi
I just bought a 1994 4630 Ford tractor and am trying to learn how to grade with a box blade. I have done some minor grading with my other tractors but I am not sure I am using the draft control properly. This tractor has the draft control on the left and a position control on the right. Am I supposed to set the position control to a certain position and use the draft control to raise and lower the blade? Can anyone give me any pointers on how these two controls work?
Thanks Roy

 

[radman]

I don't feel that a draft control is useful for most box blading chores. Draft controls work when a relatively heavy force is pushing on the third link. Your box blade probably can't exert enough force on the third link. In addition a draft control is probably not useful if it did work. The blade would be lifted and lowered when in most instances a smooth, even surface is disired.

 

[roy49]

Thanks for your reply. I was just thinking maybe it would help keep a level grade if the front tires went over a hole or bump.
Thanks again
Roy

 

[jwhite]

Yes, I understand what you want. I spent all day grading and putting down some gravel. A constant box blade position relative to the ground and not the tractor would save a LOT of hours.

I have found that only practice helps. Slight "bumping" of the postion control will get the job done. I find I have to anticipate the tractor motion as the bump up takes a little bit of time before the blade moves. If I go up too far, I just stop and backup a little bit and set the blade at the right height again. Going slow is the only way.

I still had to hand rake some areas to get it perfect.

Jay

 

[rf33]

Another trick to help you get the ground smooth is to go backwards. There is a good reason that dozers have the blade in the front, it is to keep the tracks (or tires in this case) on already levelled ground. I have found it much easier to get a good grade by doing the rough grading in forward, and then the finish work in reverse. Might no be for everybody, but it works pretty well for me.

 

[roy49]

Thanks for all the advice. I just need a little more seat time I guess although the grading job that I did yesterday don't look all that bad. It is so dry here the dirt is like powder. I think a little rain would help to. I will set the draft control to minimum and hold on to the position control. Maybe this will help too.
Thanks
Roy