With the blade tilted that far up in the front your contact is really on the back facing blade which ends up with you following your contours vs leveling. If you level your blade out more your front blade will knock off high spots and push dirt into low spots. You can drive around in circles with a full box of dirt and you will end up with a level area far faster, and once your blade is full it actually floats more than you think and doesn't continue cutting as your worried about digging into the roots below the surface but does level much more efficiently. With the blade tilted that far up in front it makes back blading in reverse useless as it will just dig in where back blading with a level blade is very effective for fine leveling as it keeps all your tires on level ground your blade created and you can control the elevation precisely.
I was just trying to smooth the surface here. I find even with the box blade tilted back it can push dirt backwards as long as you raise it up just slightly so not to dig in. I didn’t want the box blade level this time around as there’s debris like root balls that would clump up
Great example of what you can do with a box blade. Thanks for explaining when you used the front vs. back blade. Nice job finishing it off w/ the drag harrow. Really smooth results. Best wishes for a satisfying 2024!
Great question. I did consider it but was concerned about hooking up implements and having to run inside and out of the cab all the time for fine length adjustments
I think you were having a bit of fun on the bike. One thing I do when box blading is I fill my front bucket, the extra ground pressure seams to help my BX. Take Care, Mark
I have a bout 2 acres that used to be used as a cow pasture near on a decade ago, just hay ever since, that I want to have leveled. This is going to turn into a bigger project than I anticipated hah.
Wwwweeeeee! You said cow manure and then double duty, pun intended? Made me giggle! ☺️ Glad to see you protecting your noggin. 🧠 Have a great weekend Sandy! 👋
Great video Sandy! I really enjoy your videos. I am jealous of your lifestyle and am looking into places where I can start over and create one for my wife and I. She’s totally on board so the only thing stopping me is me. Keep up the great work Sandy!
Another great video, Sandy. I like that you not only show us what you're up to but also explain what you're doing and why. But why go to all that work to sign yourself up for a mowing job?
i would recommend trying if you haven't already a hydraulic TopLink on your 3-point. it allows you to feather the box lade from digging to smoothing as you have it set up. with your set of skills i dont doubt you can make your own, we did saved a little bit of money.
If recommend seeding in the fall. I’ve had the best success seeding then. Spring seems to be a tough time to gauge when it’s dry enough to spread seed, but wet enough to keep it damp. Then, it always seems a dry heat wave soles through and ruins the sprouting grass. Around this time of year you can drop it on a dry day, sprinkle it with some straw to retain moisture and wait for the rain to do its work. Much easier.
I don't know if you hunt, but that would be a nice little spot for a "wild game field". We use a blend of different vegetables, flowers and similar for the deers and other animals. Even if you don't shoot it can be relaxing to build a hideout to watch the game. But anyhow, you do a great job with your trails and stuff!
You need a land plane. That job would have taken a quarter of the time and turned out flatter. You should also look into a hydraulic top link for making adjustments of your cut angles from the cab and on the fly. A total game changer.
Those land planes look handy for sure. Reason I don’t have a hydraulic top link is I’d have to go back and forth into the cab to make small adjustments to the top link when booking up implements
That area needs a lot more work to level it out. Use the box blade in reverse to move more dirt off the high spots. Maybe start with one level area and use the blade and level tractor to keep extending the area.
want to save a lot of time getting ground leveled out ? get yourself a hydraulic top link for your box blade, you can adjust the angle of the blade from in the cab and change from spreading to digging as you move, you can cut high spots and spread into low spots without stopping to get off and make adjustments. And Capn Crusty is 100% correct a box blade works a lot better when you keep it full.
Power Rake would help pulverize and break up the bits and pieces while helping to remove larger debris like rocks while also smoothing out even more...they're pricey though
u will find out in very short time , any thing hanging over rear tires , wil hang something this will jar your teeth out O R throw u complete off of youir tractor , sooner or later will hurt or bang your hard head on your cab migh even broke your cab glsss !. PLUS + NEED YOUR SCARFIRE COMPLETE DOWN , IF U GOING RAISE YOUR BLADE UP SOME !
I can watch you mill board after board off a cant but watching a tractor mounted box blade level a field just aint doing it for me. No joy. Catch ya next time
With the blade tilted that far up in the front your contact is really on the back facing blade which ends up with you following your contours vs leveling. If you level your blade out more your front blade will knock off high spots and push dirt into low spots. You can drive around in circles with a full box of dirt and you will end up with a level area far faster, and once your blade is full it actually floats more than you think and doesn't continue cutting as your worried about digging into the roots below the surface but does level much more efficiently. With the blade tilted that far up in front it makes back blading in reverse useless as it will just dig in where back blading with a level blade is very effective for fine leveling as it keeps all your tires on level ground your blade created and you can control the elevation precisely.
I was just trying to smooth the surface here. I find even with the box blade tilted back it can push dirt backwards as long as you raise it up just slightly so not to dig in. I didn’t want the box blade level this time around as there’s debris like root balls that would clump up
I was wondering why he wasn't going in circles instead of all the back and forth. It would have been much faster and more efficient.
Great example of what you can do with a box blade. Thanks for explaining when you used the front vs. back blade. Nice job finishing it off w/ the drag harrow. Really smooth results. Best wishes for a satisfying 2024!
Nothing wrong with having fun as you work.
I’m with ya there!
keep having fun while you are working that is what make's it more pleasant have a great day
Thanks!
Love the sketchy 4 wheelin at the end
love your video you are so lucky you don't have to deal with rocks
Great time to add wood chips to the soil to add some nutrients as they break down. A nice meadow for hunting if so inclined. Well done!
Have you considered a hydraulic top link so that you can change the angle on the fly?
Great question. I did consider it but was concerned about hooking up implements and having to run inside and out of the cab all the time for fine length adjustments
I think you were having a bit of fun on the bike. One thing I do when box blading is I fill my front bucket, the extra ground pressure seams to help my BX. Take Care, Mark
Great idea! Thank you
@@sawingwithsandy you've helped me out with my mill lots, glad I can help a bit.
I have a bout 2 acres that used to be used as a cow pasture near on a decade ago, just hay ever since, that I want to have leveled. This is going to turn into a bigger project than I anticipated hah.
Looks like the 2nd half of that was more fun than work LOL glad you take the time to enjoy the toys!
Haha I think you’re right
Right now is great for re seeding, don,t wait for spring. Do it now. You were having way too much fun with the 4 wheeler. LOL
Wwwweeeeee! You said cow manure and then double duty, pun intended? Made me giggle! ☺️ Glad to see you protecting your noggin. 🧠 Have a great weekend Sandy! 👋
Thanks! Trying to keep what little smarts I have left upstairs in my noggin haha
I got the same drag & yes cow pies is what I use it for. And worked good for all kinds of applications.
Looks grate
Thanks Dan!
Great video Sandy! I really enjoy your videos. I am jealous of your lifestyle and am looking into places where I can start over and create one for my wife and I. She’s totally on board so the only thing stopping me is me. Keep up the great work Sandy!
Nice area, you could make an ice rink, kids would love you more.
Yeah I think that would be a good idea for the winter!
Another great video, Sandy. I like that you not only show us what you're up to but also explain what you're doing and why. But why go to all that work to sign yourself up for a mowing job?
I’ve since built a kids playground in this spot so wanted a nice ground cover for that
@@sawingwithsandy Ohh. That's where the pirate ship is sailing?
These be the high seas yarrrrr
Nice work man you did a great job
Nice tractor - BTW - I just added a Hyd. Top link - better than se....... well maybe not better, but Wow, what a great upgrade...
Good Job- It’s looking really good.
Thanks Richard!
Nice video Sandy
Thanks!
i would recommend trying if you haven't already a hydraulic TopLink on your 3-point. it allows you to feather the box lade from digging to smoothing as you have it set up. with your set of skills i dont doubt you can make your own, we did saved a little bit of money.
The top link needs to be shortened up so the box blade is level and the tones are digging in . Much more effective and efficient
I was trying not to dig them in just because I’ve got big root balls and debris below the surface
If recommend seeding in the fall. I’ve had the best success seeding then. Spring seems to be a tough time to gauge when it’s dry enough to spread seed, but wet enough to keep it damp. Then, it always seems a dry heat wave soles through and ruins the sprouting grass. Around this time of year you can drop it on a dry day, sprinkle it with some straw to retain moisture and wait for the rain to do its work. Much easier.
Yeah I agree, I tried growing some grass in the spring had to keep the water to it but I think right now I’ll have more success
I don't know if you hunt, but that would be a nice little spot for a "wild game field". We use a blend of different vegetables, flowers and similar for the deers and other animals. Even if you don't shoot it can be relaxing to build a hideout to watch the game.
But anyhow, you do a great job with your trails and stuff!
Good job as usual
Thanks John!
You need a land plane. That job would have taken a quarter of the time and turned out flatter. You should also look into a hydraulic top link for making adjustments of your cut angles from the cab and on the fly. A total game changer.
Those land planes look handy for sure. Reason I don’t have a hydraulic top link is I’d have to go back and forth into the cab to make small adjustments to the top link when booking up implements
That harrow is sweet Sandy, where did ya pick that up?
Found it on our local market place
That area needs a lot more work to level it out. Use the box blade in reverse to move more dirt off the high spots. Maybe start with one level area and use the blade and level tractor to keep extending the area.
I should’ve said smooth out as I’m not too concerned with level as I want a bit of the water to run off the centre if possible
Try keeping the blade fully loaded with dirt. It does a better job faster.
I agree. Just wasn’t able to in this situation as I didn’t want to disrupt the root balls and debris just below the surface
Was a bit damp does not flow off the blade well.
Hydraulic top link makes all the difference
For sure!
Timely, I have been wanting to smooth out my hay fields and reduce the steepness of the pond embankment.
Hope it helped Brian. Thanks for watching
want to save a lot of time getting ground leveled out ? get yourself a hydraulic top link for your box blade, you can adjust the angle of the blade from in the cab and change from spreading to digging as you move, you can cut high spots and spread into low spots without stopping to get off and make adjustments. And Capn Crusty is 100% correct a box blade works a lot better when you keep it full.
Any idea where I could buy a hydraulic top link in Canada?
@@sawingwithsandy princess auto has a few sizes to offer
Great thank you!
Power Rake would help pulverize and break up the bits and pieces while helping to remove larger debris like rocks while also smoothing out even more...they're pricey though
I’m not too familiar. I’ll have to check them out! Thanks
If you have no cow manure doesn’t that mean it is doing zero doody?
Haha true
you're lucky. that soil looks sandy. where i'm at it's clay all the way. i don't like clay.
Now you can replant More trees
Think someone has been watching to many videos of "the dirt monkey " lol
What about just replanting with some hardwoods
I’ve got a fairly substantial hardwood forest but no open areas so think I want to keep this open
u will find out in very short time , any thing hanging over rear tires , wil hang something this will jar your teeth out O R throw u complete off of youir tractor , sooner or later will hurt or bang your hard head on your cab migh even broke your cab glsss !.
PLUS + NEED YOUR SCARFIRE COMPLETE DOWN , IF U GOING RAISE YOUR BLADE UP SOME !
I can watch you mill board after board off a cant but watching a tractor mounted box blade level a field just aint doing it for me. No joy.
Catch ya next time
Thanks for watching!