Dirt Moving Should a box blade float?

[Dave Riebau]

I just bought a box blade and I tried it out in a gravel driveway. I basically leveled it side to side on the 3 point, Kubota L3800, 6' blade, not using the rippers, and it really digs in. I was hoping to level with it, rather than move the gravel. Should I not completely lower the 3 point so it doesn't float? Snow set in, so I can't use it now anyhow as I was just playing with it but thought I'd get your opinions. I did try tilting it back, but it still digs about the same. Thanks.

 

[KennyV]

The length of the top link is what will set the depth of the cut.... the longer the top link the more cut, shorten it up and it will cut less... You will normally set it up for the job you are doing using the top link and allow it to 'float' ... KennyV

 

[bcp]

Does your box blade have a solid or hinged rear blade?

Adjustments are different as the top link extends.

Bruce

 

[snpower]

Using the Box Blade takes much practice; starting out on a job you want done well might not be the best idea but hey I did it too! Check out this thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/214590-how-use-box-blade.html

 

[HeLa]

leveling gravel is tough with a box. it becomes something of a manual process and needs user input to keep the box from doing just what you're experiencing. i usually float but find myself adjusting quite a bit as i go along.

if it's an option, you'd probably be better served by a land plane/leveler. tearing up the surface with scarifers (on the leveler or with your box) and then following up with the planer makes for good results. for extra-fine results (i.e. baseball diamonds or horse rings) you can make a final pass with a drag harrow

 

[gwdixon]

If you have a double edged box blade, that is, one that has a cutting edge when going forward and a cutting edge when going backwards like this )( ,then you can lengthen the top link until the blade on the back side runs on the ground. The front edge of the forward blade will not be touching the ground.

That will greatly reduce any tendency to cut while going forward. It is a great setting for smoothing in float.

Then you can shorten the top link a half-turn at a time until it is set perfectly to just skim the ground in float. It doesn't take much shortening to radically change the cut.

 

[C4Ranch]

Should I not completely lower the 3 point so it doesn't float? .

Your 3pt should float at any height. There is nothing that prevents it from floating up, you just set the depth by how high (or low) you raise (or lower) it. You adjust the aggressiveness of the cut via the top link. Play around with it till you get your desired results. A hydraulic top link helps a ton here and makes the trial and error process much more enjoyable. What kind of box blade do you have, how much does it weigh. The heavier the better to control your desired output.

 

[94BULLITT]

The box blade on gravel is not a drop and go implement. You are going to have to go slow and work the 3PH up and down yourself. KennyV and gwdixon gave you good advice on adjusting the toplink.

What are you trying to do with your box blade on your driveway? Do you have any other grading implements?

 

[s219]

I just bought a box blade and I tried it out in a gravel driveway. I basically leveled it side to side on the 3 point, Kubota L3800, 6' blade, not using the rippers, and it really digs in. I was hoping to level with it, rather than move the gravel. Should I not completely lower the 3 point so it doesn't float? Snow set in, so I can't use it now anyhow as I was just playing with it but thought I'd get your opinions. I did try tilting it back, but it still digs about the same. Thanks.

You do want to use it in float when smoothing a driveway. If it has dual cutting edges (one forward, one reverse) then lengthen your top link so that the front edge is not biting and the rear edge is feathering. That is a great way to smooth material. From there, gently shorten the link if you find you need more bite from the front edge (which will fill the box with more material).

The whole trick with a box blade is that once you get the cutting edge set where it should be, the box will remove material from high spots and redistribute to low spots. It works amazingly well at this. Practice until you get it perfect.

 

[buckaroo52]

Landpride makes a grading scraper like the yellow one pictured above that also has 5 scarifiers on it as well. I love mine and it weighs around 550 lbs. I leave it on most of the time for rear ballast.