Has anybody built a box blade?

4570Man · Dec 11, 2015

Has anyone build one, and what are your suggestions? I am looking at building a box blade for a DK40. It needs to be pretty heavy duty, and I haven't seen anything on Craigslist. If I build one where is the cheapest place to buy the cutting edge and and teeth.

Trials · Dec 11, 2015

I honestly don't think you could build one much cheaper then you could buy a new one. But if you are building it just as a personal challenge, it's time to scope out what your local scrap yard has to work with. You are going to need a lot of 1/4" plate steel, some square profile steel, 1/2" plate steel, several pounds of welding rod and a whole bunch of angle grinder cutting wheels.

I can take photos and measurements of mine if that helps, just holler if you need them :|

4570Man · Dec 11, 2015

I'm thinking it will cost an the same to build a heavy duty blade as buying a cheap flimsy blade. Plus I wouldn't have an excuse to play in the shop just buying one. I am always open to pictures and measurements, but I probably won't need them.

100 td · Dec 11, 2015

I have a cheap chinese scarifier similar to this, and wouldn't mind converting it to a box blade, so any pics and measurements anyone cares to post may come in handy when I eventually go this way, if I do! I have a used grader blade cutting edge I thought I may be able to use in it.

ovrszd · Dec 11, 2015

I'd go to your local road maintenance shop for cutting edges, whether that's city or county, not knowing where you live. For scarifier teeth I'd go to your local tractor supply store or it's equivalent.

I drew a set of plans for a BB but just never energized the plan. I thought it would be a fun project, regardless of cost. And you are correct, you can build a Bad A** BB for what it would cost to buy a cheap one.

Don't forget to post pics if you do it!!!!

4570Man · Dec 11, 2015

I will have to run by the road maintenance garage and see about a cutting edge. I hadn't thought of that. If I do it I will post pictures.

ovrszd · Dec 11, 2015

You won't find the length you need so be prepared to buy 6 or 7 ft and cut off what you don't use.

4570Man · Dec 11, 2015

Is the edge hardened steel or anything else special? Would a equally sized piece of regular steel work?

ovrszd · Dec 11, 2015

Nope, won't work. You gotta buy a specific cutting edge. Anything less will wear dramatically fast. Additionally the hardened cutting edge will add a lot of strength to your BB. It won't bend.

Expect to pay around $100 for a 7ft cutting edge.

Trials · Dec 11, 2015

Mine was made by Buhler which I believe is a Canadian manufacturer out of Manitoba. It is far from flimsy I can assure you of that, they are very heavy, so you will need the tractor to move it while you are building it. You are also going to need the ability to drill some very large holes through heavy steel.

The side plates are the first thing to wear down on the leading edge. There are 2 blades, one for grading forwards, the second for backing up. The blades can be turned over once the bottom edge wears down, or reversed front to back, but I haven't needed to do that yet. The blades are pretty tough steel and have square holes with a recessed countersink to accept very heavy carriage bolts.