Grading Grading with Box Scraper and Loader

[Riddler]

We all learn best from doing, and I will be at the controls quite soon, but does anyone know of any books, articles or videos that demonstrate how best to use a box scraper and loader to accomplish light grading tasks? I am sure it seems simple and entirely common sense to anyone who has done a bunch of it. But something tells me that I might be able to accelerate my learning curve a bit if I read up on how a box scraper and loader are best used to get basic light grading tasks done. The "tasks" I am referring to include cutting a level path, terrace or pad in an area that slopes slightly. Tips on whether (and how) you first stake and string level the area to be graded, or whether you install any soil retaining structures (e.g., retaining walls) first, would also be helpful to read up on.

 

[rebelmedic]

I`ve never used a box blade but,when useing a scraper blade spreading dirt for a slab the string leveling method did not work well. You cannot leave the string in place during blade work requireing a lot of back and forth string moveing. It will however give you a rough idea of how much dirt needs to be removed or added. Best way would be borrow or rent a transit to shoot the grade useing something that can be graded over for depth markers. I`d also be interested in a book like you described .

 

[Riddler]

Rebel, I have thought about simply placing the tractor on a representative slope of the area to be graded and then leveling the box blade using a standard 3' or 4' carpenter's level. That way, I have to believe that my first pass across the area will get me somewhat close to level. After that, there must be some tricks of the trade that help to keep things relatively level as I grade deeper, especially over a large area. Perhaps at that point, sting leveling well outside the perimeter of the work area could help provide a point of reference for staying level within the work area. Unless we can find some literature with different techniques and suggestions, looks like experimentation and trial/error are our destiny.

 

[Mark4510]

Riddler,
I dont know of any books or videos but I learned a lot from reading posts here on TBN.

Things like how to crown a road, etc can all be found here.

I have never used a level to determine if the box blade is level but I have dug down to about the right depth and then used a string level to make sure it was about right. I think the key is to remove a little dirt at a time over a larger area rather than trying to move a lot out of a small area.

Mark

 

[JRP]

Hope this helps:

1. To get side to side level, use a clear plactic tube level acros the back of the box blade. An angle iron frame that bolts to the top rear edge, with a 1' vertical section at each corner. Tie wrap the tubing into the angel. Fill it with water/food color, leave 6" unfilled. Mark the frame with a stripe the same distance up. This makes an easy to use level you can see from the seat. Works best with top-tilt.

2. I bought a rotary laser level on ebay. I clamp a vertical square tube to the center of the box, and attach the laser reciever thing to the post. When the grade is almost level I move the reciever such that it detects the laser at the bottom of the reciever window. When I drive, I adjust the 3pt down till the laser is centered in the rciever window. This makes the reciever sing instead of beep fast or slow.

I leveled a mobil home pad with this method and you could lay down and sight along the dirt plane. Had dips about +/- 1", but was overall flat and level.

The reciever window is too small. Been watching for a "machine control reciever" on ebay but they start at about $400.

3. When using a blade, a tail wheel helps by reducing the need to adjust the 3pt. Look in a Woods or Landpride catalog to see what one looks like. This works best for work like road work.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

That is a great set up. Any chance you could post a couple pictures of it? Also, would you mind sharing how much your laser level cost? Thanks. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif