DVerbarg
Platinum Member
Brad,
You don't really need the box for smoothing out that area. Yes it might make it easier--after learning how to use it but for a small area like that you could "make do" with the FEL bucket and toothbar you already have. But if you had a hydraulic top-link with the box it becomes a totally different story.
Since you don't yet have the box and hydraulic top-link --yet, use your bucket with the toothbar. By varying the amount you tilt the bucket down (forward) the teeth will be protruding more or less. When the bucket is flat the teeth don't protrude, when the teeth are pointing straight down they protrude 8ish inches.
When smoothing out an area, after it has had fill dumped, I start with the bucket flat, apply enough down pressure to almost lift the front wheels off the ground, then tilt the bucket enough to make the teeth protrude around 6", then drag backwards. This action acts like a rake pulling large amounts of dirt but allowing some dirt to go through the teeth, thus creating a smoothing action. I keep repeating the same action from different directions gradually reducing the amount the teeth protrude until the bucket is flat or slightly rolled back. If you want to move dirt without allowing it to fall through the teeth you just roll the bucket backwards, apply all your down pressure and drag backwards. Of course the bucket can also be used forwards to pickup and move larger amounts to proper area and then use the backdragging operation.
Despite the fact that I have a box I usually end up using the above method for small areas, its faster and the results are just as good. For larger areas where your "run" is longer the box seems to work best for me.
Learned this technique from watching skidsteer operators. Its amazing how fast an area can be leveled and smoothed. Works real well for distributing gravel on a driveway, even when the gravel is "tail-gated".
What are the opinions of others? When do you use the box vs. the FEL?
You don't really need the box for smoothing out that area. Yes it might make it easier--after learning how to use it but for a small area like that you could "make do" with the FEL bucket and toothbar you already have. But if you had a hydraulic top-link with the box it becomes a totally different story.
Since you don't yet have the box and hydraulic top-link --yet, use your bucket with the toothbar. By varying the amount you tilt the bucket down (forward) the teeth will be protruding more or less. When the bucket is flat the teeth don't protrude, when the teeth are pointing straight down they protrude 8ish inches.
When smoothing out an area, after it has had fill dumped, I start with the bucket flat, apply enough down pressure to almost lift the front wheels off the ground, then tilt the bucket enough to make the teeth protrude around 6", then drag backwards. This action acts like a rake pulling large amounts of dirt but allowing some dirt to go through the teeth, thus creating a smoothing action. I keep repeating the same action from different directions gradually reducing the amount the teeth protrude until the bucket is flat or slightly rolled back. If you want to move dirt without allowing it to fall through the teeth you just roll the bucket backwards, apply all your down pressure and drag backwards. Of course the bucket can also be used forwards to pickup and move larger amounts to proper area and then use the backdragging operation.
Despite the fact that I have a box I usually end up using the above method for small areas, its faster and the results are just as good. For larger areas where your "run" is longer the box seems to work best for me.
Learned this technique from watching skidsteer operators. Its amazing how fast an area can be leveled and smoothed. Works real well for distributing gravel on a driveway, even when the gravel is "tail-gated".
What are the opinions of others? When do you use the box vs. the FEL?
