OK to push trees over with a box blade?

[dawoodwa]

Box blades are meant for spreading loose objects like sand, dirt, gravel, etc... They are not designed to be used as a bulldozer, if they perform just as good as a dozer then there would be a lot of them painted yellow with a CAT emblem on them. I have operated tractors for at least 35 years and have put a lot of strain on lift arms but I have never bent one nor broken one. Anytime someone uses a piece of equipment for something that it was not designed for they run the risk of damaging the equipment or themselves. The same holds true for a front end loader, they are not meant for land clearing. Be kind to your equipment and your safety by using equipment for its designed purpose.
I have a cousin that repairs equipment and he could make a good living by just repairing equipment that people destroy by trying to do something that it wasn't designed for. He has a Ford 3000 series sitting in front of his shop right now that has a seized motor because someone was skidding logs through the woods with it and bumped a stump. Small dent in the oil pan but right where the oil pump is located.
Look at the ROW tractors that are used for maintaining pipelines and powerlines, they have beefed these tractors up with skidplates, different tires, limb risers, and cab screens for a reason.

 

[sandman2234]

OUCH!!
I wish "I tried to warn you" didn't sound so much like "I told you so". That will be an expensive lesson, no doubt and one you won't likely forget very soon.
David from.jax

 

[teg]

It should be lesson for all "new to tractors" owners... Just like: keep the bucket low as possible when loaded... mow up and down very steep hills not across them...

 

[LMTC]

Why do box blades have a blade on the back?

The back blade feathers or smooths the material as you pull forward. The front blade tends to cut. As you now know, three point hitches are meant for pulling only. I am not aware of any three point implement that is designed to be used with the tractor in reverse.

 

[Perplexed]

As you now know, three point hitches are meant for pulling only. I am not aware of any three point implement that is designed to be used with the tractor in reverse.

So moving snow off a driveway with an angled rear blade, while going in reverse, is a no-no?

 

[beppington]

The back blade feathers or smooths the material as you pull forward. The front blade tends to cut. As you now know, three point hitches are meant for pulling only. I am not aware of any three point implement that is designed to be used with the tractor in reverse.

Yeah, again ... UGH.

Tractor's at the shop for repair now. Will report once I have it back.

Meant to mention, I caused this all myself by way of jinx: Earlier in the afternoon of the 3PH break I called my dealer & ordered a new Land Pride GS1572 grading scraper! Later that evening I broke the 3PH. Had to call him the next day & let him know I now have no way to use the grader

Only kidding of course - Not knowing I wasn't supposed to be pushing with the 3PH, I had no plans to stop using it that way, so I was surely gonna break it at some point. This should be the last time, though :thumbsup:

The good thing is, when it is all fixed & ready to come home, it'll be coming home with a new implement, too :thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

So moving snow off a driveway with an angled rear blade, while going in reverse, is a no-no?

I used to...haven't for years because of possible damage to the 3PH lower links (and the mounting points on the transmission casting).
Bending or breaking a 3PH component (by pushing in reverse) isn't a new topic on TBN.

But if you are going to push in reverse, don't go too fast...

I went from pushing snow (in reverse, as you have been) to pulling the rear blade and doing final clean up with the bucket...to just using the bucket.

 

[jake98]

I'm gonna half-way heed this advice, so maybe I'll be the next one breaking the casting. It works too good pushing snow to not use it, but I'm gonna definately take it slower. Famous last words...
Maybe when I hear what it cost Bep I'll rethink that tho.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm gonna half-way heed this advice, so maybe I'll be the next one breaking the casting. It works too good pushing snow to not use it, but I'm gonna definately take it slower. Famous last words...
Maybe when I hear what it cost Bep I'll rethink that tho.

If you can rig the blade so it "trips" when pushing, you'd probably be OK. Most of the threads I read (concerning damage when pushing snow) were folks who hit curbs or stumps (or other immovable object) at a higher speeds.
So, keep the area (you normally remove snow) clear of obstructions and push at a reasonable speed.

 

[Perplexed]

I'm gonna half-way heed this advice, so maybe I'll be the next one breaking the casting. It works too good pushing snow to not use it, but I'm gonna definately take it slower. Famous last words...
Maybe when I hear what it cost Bep I'll rethink that tho.

If you can rig the blade so it "trips" when pushing, you'd probably be OK. Most of the threads I read (concerning damage when pushing snow) were folks who hit curbs or stumps (or other immovable object) at a higher speeds.
So, keep the area (you normally remove snow) clear of obstructions and push at a reasonable speed.

I don't know about other folks, but I'm fortunate in that I have a flat, paved driveway with no curbs or nearby obstacles. Plus, pulling a blade while moving snow means I'd have to drive over the virgin snow before blading it off the driveway. So I'll just go backwards - and go slow, as advised. Maybe my luck will desert me though, and I'll join Jake in the club of Busted PH's