Box or Grading Scraper?

imarobot

Active member

Equipment
5740HSTC-3, FDR2584 Finish Mower, BH92 Backhoe, L2195A Snowblower, LA854 FEL, +
Apr 18, 2025
120
46
28
NH
My driveway is overdue for some TLC and I’m thinking of getting a box scraper or grading scraper, and not sure which would be better for my needs. I’ve used a rear blade to do this in the past, but I can’t get a good finish, I always dig deeper in some spots than I want to and thought a scraper would work better.
Driveway is not in real bad shape, just needs mostly grading which is why I’m thinking gravel scraper. There are no big potholes or high spots, just overall needs to be leveled and sloped for better water drainage. Driveway is only about ¼ mile long and 8-10’ wide, with a couple of wider 50’ parking areas, all on flat ground. Or, would a box scraper be better for this?
Also, how wide of a scraper would be better, a wide one to cover more width with one pass or a narrower one to make more precise grading in a smaller area? Tractor has 57 HP.
 

jimh406

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota L2501 with R4 tires
Jan 29, 2021
2,560
2,019
113
Western MT
A grader/scraper is much easier to use. I would get one wide enough to cover your tracks.

There are YouTube videos that show how easy they are to use. Other than leveling them and occasional adjustment to make sure the blades are making contact like you want, you just put them down and drive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 users

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
12,948
5,680
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
8' section of heavy C-channel with tractor chains behind does a GREAT job for 'touch up' levelling. Late farmer did that to his 800' driveway for decades, never added any gravel.Only took a few passes every 2 weeks after church, for brunch......man it was a site to behold !
I get the impression very few 'maintain' their driveway ,just use and abuse THEN after months(or years) finally say 'I gotta do something NOW' and it's a real project.
 

RCW

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
10,038
6,847
113
Chenango County, NY
Like Ford/Chevy/RAM, every one will have a preference for a box blade versus a land plane.

I’ve had a box blade for years. Others have had planes for years.

Get what works for you. Make an informed decision. Lots of stuff on the internet.
 

Stewart

New member

Equipment
Mx5400
Jul 25, 2025
7
18
3
Northern New York State
I have a box scraper and find it works best all around. I know the land plane is suppose to work great for existing projects. This is what I was told when I purchased my tractor and implements.
 

jimh406

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota L2501 with R4 tires
Jan 29, 2021
2,560
2,019
113
Western MT
Like Ford/Chevy/RAM, every one will have a preference for a box blade versus a land plane.
More like a SUV vs a pickup. They are completely different tools. There isn't anyone who can finish a gravel road with a box blade as fast as a grader/scraper, and a grader/scraper can't move as much dirt as fast as a box blade.

Similarly, I can haul lumber on my SUV luggage rack, but the pickup bed is easier. I can also haul several people in my pickup, but the SUV does it better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Vlach7

Well-known member

Equipment
L47 305DT JD500C
Dec 16, 2021
370
265
63
Frazier Park Ca
A rear angle blade is more vestal. You would probably use an 8', so on angle it would cover your tracks, get the heaviest one you can afford, "more metal". Great for maintaining roads and snow removal. One of my favorite accessories. I finish with my 7', 3pt rake, to make pretty.
 
Last edited:

GrumpyFarmer

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
B2650, MX6000, Ford 8N, (BX sold)
Sep 13, 2021
2,993
3,990
113
Ohio
Good day.

I don’t have anything to offer on this as I have neither implement…but one of the two is on my list to get. Would sure be nice to see a pros and cons comparison of grading implements (I’m thinking what we need is something similar to the pros and cons of snow removal thread). Unfortunately I don’t know enough of have the experience with them to start a comparison. (Seems like there are at least 4 implements to compare: grader/scraper, back blade, box scraper, and landscape rake, but maybe their are more options such as something simple to drag)

to me it sure seems like the plane / grader would be better suited for maintaining an existing drive vs the versatility of the box being able to move more mater to fill in low spots. But I am not really sure that is correct.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

GeoHorn

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
6,131
3,435
113
Texas
A land-plane / grading-scraper…is easy to use if all you want to do is smooth-over existing gravel.

But if you need to actually Move Dirt … I.E., re-distribute dirt or gravel on an existing road…a Box Blade is better for that job.

Angle blades are next to useless in my experience….and I’ve got all three.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

Shawn T. W

Well-known member

Equipment
'05 L5030 HSTC - '21 MF GC 1725 MB - '18 JD Z960M Z-Trak
Dec 9, 2024
182
274
63
SW Missouri Ozarks
A rear blade with trailing hydraulic gauge wheels can do a pretty good job, but I use a land plane, Bush Hog calls it a "Road Grader" which does not have the "ripper teeth" , mine is 60" slightly wider than my 50" tire tracks ... Here is a short video of mine, I went up and back twice on the same side, to kill off the weeds ...

https://rumble.com/v6utmg1-land-plane-in-action.html

Rolls and tumblers the gravel to remix it, the excess rolls over the top of the front blade, then rolls over the second blade, which both are at an angle.
 

InTheWoods

Active member

Equipment
B7510/FEL, B7100D, ZD18, ASK-R130
Nov 17, 2023
240
188
43
Indiana
...I’ve used a rear blade to do this in the past, but I can’t get a good finish, I always dig deeper in some spots than I want to...
One simple thing to try if your rear blade supports it, is to simply rotate the rear blade 180 degrees, so the cutting edge becomes a 'dragging edge'. It will pretty much prevent undesired digging.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

imarobot

Active member

Equipment
5740HSTC-3, FDR2584 Finish Mower, BH92 Backhoe, L2195A Snowblower, LA854 FEL, +
Apr 18, 2025
120
46
28
NH
One simple thing to try if your rear blade supports it, is to simply rotate the rear blade 180 degrees, so the cutting edge becomes a 'dragging edge'. It will pretty much prevent undesired digging.
I've done that but the blade tends to just ride over the dirt unless it is soft.
 

Bearcatrp

Well-known member

Equipment
BX1880 with loader, mower and 3 point
Mar 28, 2023
862
496
63
Minnesota
I've done that but the blade tends to just ride over the dirt unless it is soft.
I do this for snow removal. You have to adjust the top link out far so the blade almost looks straight down. Put a few sand bags on it for more weight to keep it from floating over.
 

imarobot

Active member

Equipment
5740HSTC-3, FDR2584 Finish Mower, BH92 Backhoe, L2195A Snowblower, LA854 FEL, +
Apr 18, 2025
120
46
28
NH
I do this for snow removal. You have to adjust the top link out far so the blade almost looks straight down. Put a few sand bags on it for more weight to keep it from floating over.
I also do this for snow removal if my driveway isn't frozen and can't use the snowblower.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Blue2Orange

Active member

Equipment
BX2380 with LA344S & QH05. SB1051. SG0554. BB1248. RB0560, Vassar dirt bucket
Apr 3, 2025
132
61
28
Bayview Township
Do not own and never have used a grader scraper. One of the shop mechanics at the dealer uses one to routinely maintain his driveway. He noted it is a quick and easy process. Saves money on adding gravel to the driveway.

Back blade and box blade user. Box blade is nice for moving material around. I needed to tilt it up with the box blade ~1/4" elevated resulting in the rear facing blade acting like a reversed back blade. Worked, but still required 3pt height management. Not the best at removing the high points and filling in the valley. Found out best to just be gentle and patient with how much of the hump is taken down with every pass. Better multiple light passes vs. making a mess requiring multiple passes to fix. Why I think for just routine maintenance a land plane is the way to go and why it's next on the list of implements.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

trikepilot

Active member

Equipment
B2620HSD w/ LA364 & BH65, 48SQ Bush Hog, LandPride RB1560, Woods 5ft Box Blade,
Jul 18, 2020
90
121
33
Hardy, VA
8' section of heavy C-channel with tractor chains behind does a GREAT job for 'touch up' levelling. Late farmer did that to his 800' driveway for decades, never added any gravel.Only took a few passes every 2 weeks after church, for brunch......man it was a site to behold !
I get the impression very few 'maintain' their driveway ,just use and abuse THEN after months(or years) finally say 'I gotta do something NOW' and it's a real project.
Amen! Regular maintenance prevents future big repairs. I have a box blade and rear angle blade but they are reserved almost exclusively for bigger repairs were more material needs moved or a crown needs to be re-established. Similar to the C-channel and chains above, I use a 5ft wide drag harrow with aggessive ⅗" tines to do my regular maint. One pass with the tine points down to loosen the compacted gravel and then flip it over to the "smooth" side for a final pass to redistribute and smooth it all out. Works great!

eyJidWNrZXQiOiJiZWhsZW5jb3VudHJ5Iiwia2V5IjoicHJvZHVjdHMvSW1wbGVtZW50cy84Q2hhaW5IYXJyb3dfMzAxO...jpeg
eyJidWNrZXQiOiJiZWhsZW5jb3VudHJ5Iiwia2V5IjoicHJvZHVjdHMvSW1wbGVtZW50cy84Q2hhaW5IYXJyb3dfMzAxO...jpeg
 

Old Machinist

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota LX3310 cab, JD 4310, NH 575E cab backhoe, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
May 27, 2024
390
420
63
NE FL
I use my box blade most of the time. A landscape rake does a good job on gravel if you don't want to move a lot of material and just want to shape and smooth.

You can make do with a box blade, grader blade, or landscape rake. Your description sounds like a landscape rake would be a good choice.

A drag can do some smoothing but you can't use it for shaping or crowning. Using a drag will eventually remove any crown. Same goes for driving in a straight line with a level box blade. I have some neighbors that do that. Every so often I have to go reshape the road for drainage.

I can shape with my box blade by driving diagonal passes then going back over in straight lines to smooth.
 
Last edited: