Box Blade Application?

[Tennspread]

I have an L3901 and want to use the box blade to clear up loose debri on about 4 acres we just cleared with a dozer. Mostly sticks, ripped up roots and other junk. Can the tines on the box blade be used to gather up this stuff? Planning to use the blade with tines up to compact and smooth for seeding

Does this sound right? Or should I look into a landscape rake? Or the old tried and proven hand method?

Thanks in advance for suggestions

-TS

 

[Bulldog777]

Yes, you can use it. I would drop the tines down a little and tilt the blade forward. You'll have to adjust until you get it going right. I would not be running real fast. You can level up the ground somewhat while you clearing debris.
You can drop the tines all the way down, but you will have to go slower and adjust the tines to the terrain. But this will pull out more roots.
It will work, just not as fast as a rake.

 

[85Hokie]

I have an L3901 and want to use the box blade to clear up loose debri on about 4 acres we just cleared with a dozer. Mostly sticks, ripped up roots and other junk. Can the tines on the box blade be used to gather up this stuff? Planning to use the blade with tines up to compact and smooth for seeding

Does this sound right? Or should I look into a landscape rake? Or the old tried and proven hand method?

Thanks in advance for suggestions

-TS

TS,

the box blade will not gather the sticks as well as the "root" rake - it will however level the soil out better.

The tines in the box blade WILL do a better job at pulling out those roots that are still stuck in the ground, where as the rake will roll them up better once loose.

If you have both - rip all the roots out first, then allow a rake to gather them.
A decent root rake will leave a nice finish for seed if the soil is not wet.

Another advantage is a typical landscape rake will cover more per pass due to it being wider - typical box might be 5' and a rake could be used at 6' ( you might be able to use a 7' rake!)

 

[Tooljunkie]

A box blade would work, but a landscape rake would be much more effective, as it can be angled and windrow the debris.

 

[MattN03]

I have both and have not tried to use the box blade to rake loose material. It could probably be done, but not as fast or effective as the landscape rake. You might try Craigslist for a used rake. I bought my box blade off Craigslist, and then bought a landscape rake off a friends FIL. They're great implements to have around!

 

[Grizzy3901]

What size box blade are you running

 

[MattN03]

I use a 5' box blade and 6' landscape rake with my B3200.

 

[Tennspread]

What size box blade are you running

Thanks
5'

-TS

 

[Tennspread]

Thanks everyone for advise. Cleared another 2 acres today and I went out a picked up a used/new condition 6' Tuffline Disc Harrow. The ground needs a disc run but I think based on the responses is I need to use a Landscape rake vice box blade. I'll check and see if the implement dealer tomorrow has any.

Oh, and I need a broadcaster now.....

Having a blast

-TS