using a box blade

henrysMFGC2310TBL · Apr 17, 2010

I have seen the videos on using a BB but I don't see anywhere that tells me what setting to put the 3 point hitch in while leveling. I have wash board on the laneway and want to level it and have a slight crown. Do I set the box on the ground and then lock it, do I dig it in a bit and lock it OR? I also have a blade with the tractor, how do I use it, same way as BB? Thanks.

jdjdjd · Apr 17, 2010

The three-point hitch will float over the ground. If you have typical washboards the box will ride over these and tend to make them worse. It depends on the type of gravel and how hard it is packed. Adjusting your top link will make it dig more or less.
Some people have mounted guage wheels to their box blade to help counter this effect. Carefully raising and lowering your 3-point will do the same thing, only slower.
You also mentioned having a regular blade. I have found this to be very useful by angling the blade. It cuts across the washboard instead of up and down. Also by tilting the blade you can make a good crown.

/pine · Apr 17, 2010

As long as there is enough material there to work with...a starting point would be to lower the scarifier teeth and rip up an area completely mixing the material making sure the fines are well mixed in...

Then adjust you side link to set your crown or pitch and grade it out...if your box blade has a cutting edge on both sides..when the forward edge is cutting the rear facing blade will be set for smoothing (in reverse)

Only move or smooth loose material when pushing backwards to avoid damage to the blade or the tractor...

gordyy · Apr 18, 2010

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/116316-various-boxblade-uses.html

a must read for new BB users

JoelD · Apr 18, 2010

I agree, I think you'll most likely need to use the ripper teeth and rip up the washboard, then remove the teeth and use the side link adjustment to get the crown you want.

Three point does not lock in place, they have up pressure but not down. She'll ride up and then drop down to your down setting.

Some people will add weight to the box blade if she's not penetrating the earth.

As stated previously, the more you tilt the top of the box blade towards the tractor the more aggressively the teeth will cut into the ground.

Good luck, trial and error.

Joel

mustangsallysdad · Apr 18, 2010

henrysMFGC2310TBL said:
I have seen the videos on using a BB but I don't see anywhere that tells me what setting to put the 3 point hitch in while leveling. I have wash board on the laneway and want to level it and have a slight crown. Do I set the box on the ground and then lock it, do I dig it in a bit and lock it OR? I also have a blade with the tractor, how do I use it, same way as BB? Thanks.

Set it level and use the scarifiers to rip it up and get the material mixed well...then raise the teeth and use your leveling box to set the angle of your crown...slow and steady, forward and reverse. And yes, your rear blade operates on pretty much the same principle with the exception of filling with material (not as much as the BB anyway). The rear blade can do some things the BB can't in regards to being able to angle the blade...I actually prefer my rear blade for driveway work, especially when crowning...I angle and pitch and pull everything toward the middle for the crown and then set it level and turn it all the way around and pull it "backward" over the crown to smooth it out...that way it floats and doesn't cut which leaves a smoother finish.