Box Scraper or Grading Scraper

[TBayOrange]

I'm looking at picking up either a box scraper or a grading scraper for my B2650HSDC.
My usage would be at home for a 300' driveway with a 120 x 60 parking and turn around area and at camp. The road into the camp is about 750m and the drive into the cabin is around 400'.
I'm trying to decide whether to get a box or grading scraper and also what size you think would be appropriate. Hoping you good people can steer me in the right direction.
Cheers

 

[NHSleddog]

Box blade for building and repair.

Land plane for maintenance. IMO

Box blade does take some skill to run proficiently.

The land plane is pretty much drop and go as long as it is parallel to the ground.

I would suggest 60" for either option.

 

[Bmbbm]

Good advice! What NHsled dog said

 

[Redlands]

Keep in mind that bolt on wings or ends can be bought and installed (or made) for grading scraper. Pretty economical. Allows you to move dirt just like a box blade if needed. Ripper teeth can also be rigged up if your handy with a welder or want to spend quite a bit extra for factor built.

 

[pauly]

I started out with a box blade, for moving dirt and repairing a quarter mile gravel drive way. Ended up getting a grading scraper as well, makes maintaining the drive way easy.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Keep in mind that bolt on wings or ends can be bought and installed (or made) for grading scraper. Pretty economical. Allows you to move dirt just like a box blade if needed. Ripper teeth can also be rigged up if your handy with a welder or want to spend quite a bit extra for factor built.

I think that you are thing about a rear blade to add the wings onto. I believe that he is thinking land plane grading scraper as pictured. Maybe not?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I think we need some clarity what the OP is really wanting to accomplish with it.

 

[TBayOrange]

I want to repair my driveway, lots of ruts and potholes.
At camp situation is even worse heavy rain the last couple of years has left the road in terrible shape, lots of ruts where the water has run down a steep hill. I plan on installing drainage so the water runs off the cliff instead of down the hill.
Cheers

 

[pauly]

Based on the above^^^^^^^^ a box blade.

 

[BAP]

Another factor would be your soil type. Loose soil like gravels, sandy soil will work up good with a landplain. Hard packed clay or mucky soil that don’t loosen easy may need the rippers on a box blade to get it loose enough to be able to smooth it out and shape it.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Once the roadways are repaired a weekly run dragging a section of heavy chain link fence will keep it looking great !
The late farmer across the road did that, every Sunday, after church before brunch, 1000' driveway, was always 'picture perfect'. Kid who bought the farm,never did a thing 2 years later had to replace the whole driveway. Didn't LEARN, 5 years later(now) it's failing ....again.....doh....

 

[TBayOrange]

At camp the road gets dragged a couple of times a summer, I've found that on the hill dragging does nothing but make it easier for the rain to was away the loosened gravel. Dragging on the level does keep that part in good shape.
Would I need to add weight to the box scraper so that the shanks do a good job of digging into the gravel on the road? Looks like from there design they should do that all on there own.
Appreciate all the help. Cheers

 

[NHSleddog]

At camp the road gets dragged a couple of times a summer, I've found that on the hill dragging does nothing but make it easier for the rain to was away the loosened gravel. Dragging on the level does keep that part in good shape.
Would I need to add weight to the box scraper so that the shanks do a good job of digging into the gravel on the road? Looks like from there design they should do that all on there own.
Appreciate all the help. Cheers

Your best defense on the hills is a good crown on the road and good side drainage/ditches.

You can add weight, however the box blades are pretty heavy to begin with. The new one I just purchased from EA is 450Lbs.

I find the angle of the box and the riper depth is where all the magic happens with a box blade.

 

[KTuk4J]

I like a box blade, have used one for many projects from driveways, flattening, moving earth.... then the are especially good if set up with adjustable rippers.

 

[pauly]

The top link will help with the ripping. After that re- adjust to level the surface. The chainlink fence will make it real nice for the finishing touch.

 

[CapnDean]

I have both. That's what you need to do. Box blade to get it fixed up, Bionic blade to keep it nice

 

[bird dogger]

I had a box blade that was bought way back for use behind my older JD750MFWD (20 HP) Not long ago I became aware of how nice it would be to have a land plane but balked at the price of a new one. Since the box blade had two bolt on hardened blades along with a bolt on 3 pt hitch, I decided why not share those pieces to make a land plane. With some scrap heavy duty channel iron for the sides and a couple of cross pieces this was the outcome:




I can also lay a heavy channel iron "tray" across the top for extra weight but haven't found it to be necessary yet. Sure doesn't take much HP to pull it and does a terrific job. Next step is to sand blast and give it a Kubota orange paint job this summer. Probably could fab up a way to mount the scarify teeth to it one day. the overall width is just shy of 5 ft due to the angle of the blades from the 5 foot box blade.

 

[TBayOrange]

Thanks for the excellent posts everybody, definitely a steep learning curve with all the work I want to accomplish with this tractor but you guys are a big help.
Cheers