Dirt Moving Tips and uses for box blade

[RosseauK]

Hello everyone, I just bought a dk40 with loader and bb. I'm fairly new to tractors and using my box blade. I'm turning an old logging road which has grown over with small trees etc...into a useable road for my pickup. I've been digging pretty much what I can and spreading it with the bb. However I'm scared I may damage something as it gets caught on roots and rocks. I've also been pushing some dirt backwards along with some large rocks I encounter off the road. I'm more worried backwards then forwards as the 3pth isn't designed to push. I've also ordered a toothbar for the loader hoping this will help me dig better. Hopefully you guys can give me some insight thanks

 

[slofr8]

I have a box blade and love it. I've done a lot of work with it from clearing fields of old small stumps, leveling and smoothing out the loam for my lawn and maintaining the roads I have on my land. I can tell you tho that it got a lot easier to use once I put a hydraulic cyl. for a top link. Now I can tilt it foward to dig and fill the box and then roll it back to carry the dirt where I want it.
Very usefull tool.
Dan.

 

[Piston]

Check out this thread for some good info on box blading.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/122762-beginners-guide-using-box-blade.html

I just got my first box blade as well and in fact haven't even used it yet but have been reading all I can on the subject.

After a couple hours I am going to decide if I will add a gauge wheel or not but I will definitely, without a doubt, be adding a top n tilt setup from fitrite hydraulics. I'm adding my rear remotes now.

Good luck and post some pics of your progress.

 

[RosseauK]

Thanks for the site. I'm still concerned about pushing something of significance in reverse with my bb. Also does anyone have experience with vs without a toothbar for digging and removing stumps with their Fel.

 

[MotorSeven]

I almost always had the toothbar on my bucket. It does help in digging, but remember to try and not grab a stump or root with only one or two teeth on the sides. It will twist the loader arms and you will feel the opposite back tire come off the ground very quickly. I don't think the twisting is good for the loader frame, and rolling over does not sound like fun.
I do push backwards with the box, but generally just for final smoothing. You can use it backwards, just stay away from big rocks, stumps, trees etc. I push brush piles all the time especially when burning them.

 

[Fixemall]

I have a 7' Kodiak that does not owe me a dime, leveled over 200 loads of dirt when I was building my place and never had an issue till I backed into a tree and broke a lower mount off, some angle iron and welding and it is back in service. Mine has a double blade and is designed for pushing or pulling.

 

[wade simpson]

I've been using mine to level and maintain a 1/4 mile road I made 2 yrs ago. I've found that the tractor will spin its tires if the bb digs in too much, (or hooks a root or rock),so I've never worried about damaging it. I am always in low range/first gear so speed is not a factor. I would not use the bb with any speed other than that.

I only use my bb in reverse to spread out piles of loose stuff.

 

[JoelD]

One thing to keep in mind is that your machine is not a bulldozer, sooner or later something will give if pushing too hard, or at angles or hitting an immovable object.
I would expect that going forward you'd be unlikely to have any issues as the three point is clearly designed for that. The only think I've done to my box blade was rip off a couple of the teeth, which are easily replaced.

I'd keep straight and do the most strenuous work going forward.

As for pushing large rocks and the like, I'd get under with the bucket and push straight ahead.

Good rule of thumb is as I started, remember, your machine is not a dozer and will break if used as such.

There is always the option of renting a dozer for the heavy grading on the road. I owned a dozer and that is one thing they are very good at.

Joel

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

I remove a fair Amount of stumps and rocks. I bought a 3 foot long low profile bucket and modified it to fit my tractor. I find it easy to dig with it so I take my time and dig around the roots and rocks to get them out. My tractor is an l4740 so it pushes the small bucket into the ground with ease.

 

[mefyj]

I have one of the original box blades mfg by Gannon in the 50s. It has the rolling teeth and is very heavy built. (Makes a great counter weight for the FEL.) So no worries about damage to the blade. I have used it to move hundreds of yards of material for short distances. Just fill it and drag to a dumping location. You can lay thin layers for ultimate packing jobs or make piles for future use.
It's handy as **** once your get your Tilt & Trim set-up. I even have a 2" hitch ball on the back for quick trailer moving.