Rear blade or box?

[yesdeer]

Looking to maintain 1300' of gravel drive. I have a plow on my truck so minimal snow removal necessary. My dealer quoted $750 for a woods 7' standard duty RB. I think I can get it for about $200 less. Any input on advantages/disadvantages of a box blade would be appreciated.

 

[amaxwell]

Boxblades make it easier to move gravel rather than just smooth. Unless your drive is totally flat I would say go with a box blade to fill wash-outs and potholes.

 

[sparrowhawk]

Looking to maintain 1300' of gravel drive. I have a plow on my truck so minimal snow removal necessary. My dealer quoted $750 for a woods 7' standard duty RB. I think I can get it for about $200 less. Any input on advantages/disadvantages of a box blade would be appreciated.

Search is your friend

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/199713-york-rake-blade-box-maintain.html

 

[northwind318]

I use a back blade to maintain my Gravel Driveway.Look on Craigslist ,there are some good deals if you know what your lookin at. API attachments make a nice blade with no middle man to deal with.

 

[Sabretooth]

I would say go Boxblade and if possible go used. I went used why buy new just so you can be the one to scrape the paint off of it and pay more You can get both the boxblade and rear blade then take wife out for a nice steak dinner and still be ahead of the dealer quote you got on just the blade.

Im in process of putting a 800' drive as we speak If I find I need the blade I want one that has clevis for lower 3pt and must be tiltable not just angle

 

[VA MTN MAN]

The box blade will do every thing the blade will do better except plow snow to the side. Buy the heavest box your tractor will handle, the weight is what does the work.

 

[wade simpson]

My road is the same length as yours with a rocky clay type of dirt. I found I use both a back blade and box blade. I used the rear blade to make/clear the ditchs and move the dirt from the edges to the center. I used the box to smooth the surface, loosen and move the rocks, and mix the dirt. I found I needed both attachments. The box blade cannot be angled fore or aft.

If I had to choose I'm not sure which I would go with as I use them both alot.

I found a unique use for the box blade last weekend. The snow on my road was very compacted and frozen solid from me snowshoeing. The scarifiers on the BB broke up the compacted snow/ice so i could use the FEl to get it outta the way. For me overall, the box was more useful in the snow as I could use it without the tractor moving sideways and it added weight which really helped in the snow.

Don't buy a woods RBE model back blade. It is too light duty for road type work. I have my RBE5 bent all out shape and will have to buy another RB this summer.

 

[LD1]

The box blade will do every thing the blade will do better except plow snow to the side. Buy the heavest box your tractor will handle, the weight is what does the work.

I disagree.

They both have their place.

But a RB will do more than just throw snow to the side. With the ability to angle to different degrees, it is estremely helpful for building a little crown in the drive. As well as keeping the gravel out of the yard. Whereas a boxblade will fill up and then string gravel out of of the sides. And if you are working at the edge of the drive, that gravel goes into the yard, and without being able to angle it, there is no good way to get it back onto the drive.

And if you buy a GOOD Box, it will also have a rear cutting edge. This also makes it a little more difficult to get a good final grade without leaving them little trail-offs. Where a rear blade can be ran backwards for a nice smooth finish.

IMO, a rear blade is good for maintaining IF you keep up with it. A Box is good for a drive that has gone to H*ll. Because you can lower the rippers, bust up the surface real good, and move some serious gravel.

I agree with the poster that mentioned getting BOTH used. Box-blades on c-list in good shape run $400-$500 depending on size, and the rear blades can be had for $100-$200 in good shape. If you shop around on c-list, you shoud be able to get the pair for well under you $750 dealer quote.:thumbsup:

 

[blueriver]

The box blade will do every thing the blade will do better except plow snow to the side. Buy the heavest box your tractor will handle, the weight is what does the work.

I too disagree ... try to fill in a few hundred feet of trench with a box ... sure it can be done. BUT with a blade that you can angle and set it .... it will roll the dirt into that trench and your done.

 

[PapaPerk]

I would say go Boxblade and if possible go used. I went used why buy new just so you can be the one to scrape the paint off of it and pay more You can get both the boxblade and rear blade then take wife out for a nice steak dinner and still be ahead of the dealer quote you got on just the blade.

Im in process of putting a 800' drive as we speak If I find I need the blade I want one that has clevis for lower 3pt and must be tiltable not just angle

2nd all that!