Newbie What and How to level this?

[Elliott in GA]

I have probably spread close to 40 tons of Crusher gravel with my loader and box blade over three projects: 35 x35 foot site (flattened and leveled), 15 x 30 foot service yard area of private RV site (filled and smoothed) and reconditioned gravel driveway (filled and smoothed). Although not as handy as a T&T, with some practice you can feather out the box blade using the 3 point control. I found it relatively easy to do a good job; it usually takes a pass or two to determine the best starting and finishing height. However, it would be much more difficult to do if you did not have Position Control for the 3 Point Hitch.

 

[je1279]

I thank you. What would the full processes be? Kill grass, box blade, then chain harrow to smooth before seeding?

Don't worry about killing the grass, the box blade will handle that for you. Box blade, aggressive setting on the chain harrow, spread the seed, then flip it over where the tines are pointing up to sow the seed. Water, wait and hope after that.

 

[davidmem]

Don't worry about killing the grass, the box blade will handle that for you. Box blade, aggressive setting on the chain harrow, spread the seed, then flip it over where the tines are pointing up to sow the seed. Water, wait and hope after that.

Thank you very much. You've got a nice real machine there. My b2601 will be my first and probably last tractor but I'm looking forward to easier management of some tasks in the home. Is the chain harrow the same device that you can use to spread top dressing over existing lawn, flipped up so the gentle side is down? And just curious if you know where someone could get a chain harrow? My main lawn definitely needs some top dressing to fill in the erosion that is going on over 20 something years.

 

[NCL4701]

Like Elliott in GA said, box blade is still very useful, and the tool for the job even without rear hydraulics. I’ve reshaped our private road and spread about 160 tons of stone with a 72” box blade and a L4701. I’ve since straightened out several trails, cleaned out silted in ditches, groomed creek crossings for four wheelers, etc. Use it way more than I thought I would.

First time I used it, I spent about 8 hours doing 4 hours of work because I had no clue what I was doing. So really 4 hours of experimenting and 4 hours of working. Thankfully, I had no one around to remind me I was clueless and no one to give me advice. Watch a couple YouTube videos that don’t start with “I just got this and have never used one”. Then go out there and mess with it until you figure it out.

Now that I see I’m using it routinely, I am getting rear hydraulics. If I used it once in a blue moon, I wouldn’t. They aren’t necessary, but no doubt save time.

 

[je1279]

Thank you very much. You've got a nice real machine there. My b2601 will be my first and probably last tractor but I'm looking forward to easier management of some tasks in the home. Is the chain harrow the same device that you can use to spread top dressing over existing lawn, flipped up so the gentle side is down? And just curious if you know where someone could get a chain harrow? My main lawn definitely needs some top dressing to fill in the erosion that is going on over 20 something years.

The B2601 is a fine machine. 90% of people would say I overbought for my 2.5 acre property. Like you, I wanted this to be my last tractor purchase. The chain harrow is a great tool for dethatching and sowing seed into your soil. I purchased a 6' wide by 4' long unit from tractor supply for ~$300 that does everything I've asked of it. In fact, here's a recent picture where I used it to dethatch my backyard. House is less than 2 years old so don't judge me but I hope to have a decent lawn at some point.

 

[davidmem]

I have probably spread close to 40 tons of Crusher gravel with my loader and box blade over three projects: 35 x35 foot site (flattened and leveled), 15 x 30 foot service yard area of private RV site (filled and smoothed) and reconditioned gravel driveway (filled and smoothed). Although not as handy as a T&T, with some practice you can feather out the box blade using the 3 point control. I found it relatively easy to do a good job; it usually takes a pass or two to determine the best starting and finishing height. However, it would be much more difficult to do if you did not have Position Control for the 3 Point Hitch.

Thank you, that was an advantage of the B over the BX it did have position control.

 

[davidmem]

The B2601 is a fine machine. 90% of people would say I overbought for my 2.5 acre property. Like you, I wanted this to be my last tractor purchase. The chain harrow is a great tool for dethatching and sowing seed into your soil. I purchased a 6' wide by 4' long unit from tractor supply for ~$300 that does everything I've asked of it. In fact, here's a recent picture where I used it to dethatch my backyard. House is less than 2 years old so don't judge me but I hope to have a decent lawn at some point.

View attachment 58033

Property looks awesome! Where are you located? Enjoy the process. I'm 60 and see less time ahead than behind. Hopefully an old dog can learn new tricks. The chain harrow seems like an excellent purchase for me as I was thinking of buying a tine rake for detaching. I also need a tool for spreading top dressing so I might be able to kill two birds with one stone. Still much to learn. Much appreciate your input. Awesome machine you got enjoy it.

Really excited to get my first tractor in the near future.

 

[je1279]

Property looks awesome! Where are you located? Enjoy the process. I'm 60 and see less time ahead than behind. Hopefully an old dog can learn new tricks. The chain harrow seems like an excellent purchase for me as I was thinking of buying a tine rake for detaching. I also need a tool for spreading top dressing so I might be able to kill two birds with one stone. Still much to learn. Much appreciate your input. Awesome machine you got enjoy it.

Really excited to get my first tractor in the near future.

Thanks. Upstate NY between Albany and Massachusetts. You will love having a tractor. With a handful of implements, it will greatly simplify everything you need to do on your land.