Anyone have any experience using a box blade?
 

I've been thinking about getting one for my 1641. Just moved to a new house in the fall, and the yard needs some work. It looks like the previous owners had a garden at one point and just left it go. Its now just a bunch of weeds that have grown to become the "lawn" over very uneven ground. Would a box blade work well to loosen up the "lawn" and level this out?

what kind of soil is it? black dirt, clay, sand and rock

Clay/dirt mix

if it don't need major grading ( dozer work ) you would be better of doing a broad range weed killer, then doing it again two weeks later. letting it dry out and using a 8 or 12 foot wide drag with a weighted spike row. a grader box is narrow and will take a lot of time to do an entire yard. that's what I would do can make a drag cheap if you can't find on cheap. I have a 3 section drag, 12' wide I run a heavy I beam on the back of mine when I do a single section. sort of rips it drags it level and then grades it hard at the end. but I have been told I am weird also. I mean I still prefer reel mowers lol

hdsdcouple is correct about it taking a long time..... and right about using a drag.

A box blade is meant to do just what you want, yes... but how big a yard are we talking? And there is quite a learning curve if you have never ran a blade. Best bet is weed killer, tiller, and a drag. Box blade only if you have a lot of dirt to move. :beerchug:

Yeah, if you're not pretty good with a box blade already, you'll probably end up with a washboard or a mini motocross track.

I would mow the grass/weeds rake it all away, then kill the grass/weeds, till it and then drag it.

If you don't have a tiller, a spike harrow and drag would probably do the job.

Then again, if you don't have any experience with a box blade, this project could very well be your chance to get some.

Welcome to OCC!:beerchug:

Without seeing your particular situation, you may want to consider a york rake.

I totally agree with hdsdcouple use a good dose of roundup or so then do it again and then smooth with drag rake etc...

I agree with the drag/rake you guys, but you can't level ground without tilling it up. Honestly, if you could till with a tiller, then hit it with a field cultivator. They work very well for leveling.

Welcome to OCC! Hope to see some action shots, when you get your box blade.

yes in an ideal situation if it was me. I would take my # 2 tiller on my 1812 and till 3-4 inches deep, not only to level but to give you the perfect seed bed. then reseed and rake lightly cover with straw to hold the ground in place and keep moisture in too.

I've had good luck using a disk for working up a yard. I am talking about a large disk use on a farm with a big tractor pulling it. I made up a drag using an old spring from a bed mattress and spring set. Put weight on the springs and it did a nice job. Seeded and was good to go. I do have access to large farm equipment though.

I have some attachments I need to give a try someday. These was with one Cub I got.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psbad4825b.jpg

Thanks for the welcome and all the replies so far. I guess I should have given a little more detail. The total area I'm looking to do is about half an acre. There is also a small amount of grading required, as I currently have some drainage issues. I have a drainage ditch running along one side of my property and I plan to direct the rainwater that direction. I know the ground needs loosened up first, but I don't have a tiller. I was mainly wondering if the box blades sized for these tractors are able to loosen up the ground with the teeth they have. Also, what size blade can my 1641 handle? I was looking at a 48" model made by howse, but wasn't impressed with what I can see in the picture. Doesn't look very tough. It goes for around $300 plus shipping. I also seen brinly has a 38" box blade/rear blade combo. It has good reviews and i like the dual purpose idea. Sears has them on their website for around $170 with free shipping to local store.

None of those will be heavy enough to tear up a yard. Your going to have to tear the ground up with something else. Plus, your 1641 isn't going to be able to pull much. It could handle a 48" I'm sure. Does it have 3pt on it?

It is currently set up with a sleeve hitch made by previous owner. I would need the lift arms and top link to make it a 3 point again

Your going to need a whole set-up. Can't convert a sleeve hitch to a 2 point unless you make it.

Agree here with J-Mech, All of these items are for working looser ground. It would beat a tiller to death IMO. Need to start with a ripper of sorts. I made a single ripper to fit my sleeve hitch but 1/2 acre can be a lot of ripping one shank at a time. You are on par with a big tractor in a big field. hmmm
Rippers on box blades are supposed to be for what you are needing. If you can't pull all then maybe two down initially. Really need to rip in both directions for our little guys to be able to work it.

Just rent a skidsteer

Oh, and I in the "use a drag" crowd for your finish work.

I can tell you that none of those instruments will work here in Georgia on their own. The red clay we have is like armor. You will probably have to rip the ground up first with a heavier stronger tractor and then you can use your garden stuff. As mentioned it might just make more sense to just rent a tiller or a tractor/tiller combo and then use your stuff. Good luck!:beerchug:

Couple sticks of TNT would soften up that ground real nice! :biggrin2:

When I did my front & back yard a few years ago here is what I did.
--Sprayed everything with commercial grade roundup and mixed in Scythe. Don't buy the garbage the box stores sell. Everything was dead in 24 hours.
--I used my Kubota and tilled everything up. This is hard on any tractor and I would rent if you don't have one. As Rudy said, this would destroy any Cub Cadet tiller made with our ground here in Georgia.
--I then took a 8' X 5' piece of chain link fence with some weight on it and used my Cub to pull it. This is fun and will get evrything nice and smooth. Then it's time for seed or sod.

If your drainage isn't correct you need to start there first. Check your local tool rental place. Skid steers are fun to operate or hire a contractor. Good luck.

I think one of these would Git Er Done.:biggrin2: