Anyone have any experience using a box blade?

[jmwolf]

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?

[hdsdcouple]

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

[jmwolf]

Clay/dirt mix

[hdsdcouple]

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

[J-Mech]

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.

[Yosemite Sam]

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.

[Cubcrazy]

Originally Posted by jmwolf

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?

Welcome to OCC!

[Muzzy]

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

[rdehli]

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

[J-Mech]

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.