#74 Kubota B2601 Compact Tractor BECO Box Blade LandPride RB1672 Rear Blade Grading. outdoor channel

[@deanbarr5740]

Awesome job GP. You're absolutely right about the crown in the middle of the road. I grew up on a farm about a mile off the paved highway, used to tell friends and school mates our driveway was a mile long. You definitely need a crown and a ditch to carry the water run off away from your road. Good job buddy.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks Dean! Have a good one!

[@erickstiner1668]

GP- even watching the older videos, you have a smooth and clear dialogue and the music selection is complimentary.

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey thanks so much Erick! Sometimes i look back at those older videos and I have to laugh at myself but I feel much more comfortable now than I was back then. I am happy you enjoy them. Cheers and thanks again!

[@5075E]

Hello again from Montana......A landplane is a combination of a box blade and rear blade sort of and is exactly what you need for that application. I do this for a living and own those other implements as well. It is extremely easy to use.....set your settings drop and go. You don't have to "fly" the three point hitch lever much at all. The side rails hold your grade and average out the cut as you go. A one pass affair in many instances and does a beautiful job. Be sure to get one with scarifying teeth for breaking up ruts, potholes, and washboarding. Then pull them up and finish grade. Costs about the same as a box scraper. You won't be disappointed. I use the box scraper and blade for rough grading and the land plane for finish grading. Most of the time you don't need the box scraper. I like your videos.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning Daniel. Thanks for the info above. I have seen them and watched them on channels and am interested in trying one at some point if I get the chance. However I have one important question which I am hoping you might be able to answer. My driveway is largely just dirt and earth and gravel kind of mixed in together over the years. The area you see here is mainly crusher run but throughout the rest of the driveway out to the road it is largely dirt, as much as gravel. I heard, but not sure, that the landplane only works well on a gravel driveway ( large stone type gravel). Will it work ok on a driveway that is more crusher run ( small gravel) and dirt? Thanks!

[@scottmote2176]

GP I enjoy all of your videos. Your format is right on. Talk a little and explain things at the beginning. Then just some peaceful music that's not to loud so I can still here the tractor working. Very entertaining and relaxing. I'm saving towards a B2301. Hopefully next summer I'll be able to purchase it. Until then, I'll just keep enjoying your videos.

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey thanks kindly Scott. I am glad you enjoy them and enjoy the new format I have been trying out. Good for you on the 2301. I am sure you will be happy getting some hydraulic help around your land. Cheers and have a good weekend!

[@michaelcschmitt]

I love my 2301. I am doing all the same things that GP is doing and I have plenty of power so don't let people say 23hp isn't enough!

[@chuckb.5076]

Thanks for taking me on your journey. Really enjoy learning with you.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning Chuck. Thanks - it makes it easier knowing we have a lot of good folks willing to offer their experience on the channel. I wish I had asked first before I tried it, but I'll be better equipped next time. Thanks again and enjoy your weekend!

[@gregabernathy6249]

Looks like you've gotten a lot of hints and tips. Only thing I would share is that on the hills of my gravel road, I always scrape running uphill. Over time the rain will wash the gravel down, so I start at the bottom and pull it back up the hill.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks Greg! I was able to pull upwards but it seemed to be easier going down. But will keep that in mind. The tractor pulled it up no trouble but seemed ( in my head) to be kind of backwards. But you make a great point there. Thanks again - enjoy the weekend and all the best!

[@coypatton3160]

When digging your ditch, I suggest the cutting point be at as step an angle as possible use both the tilt of the blade and tilt of the lower lift arms. Also put that point closest to your rear tire.this will drag the dirt up out of the ditch. Use your bucket to move it elsewhere if needed. By putting the point in line with your rear tire, you ditch will dig where your tire goes. Make your digging angle as aggressive as your tractor will pull.

[@GPOutdoors]

Coy, that's some great advice and ties in well with a few other suggestions. Thanks for taking the time as always. I appreciate this. Cheers and all the best!

[@FromSteelToWood]

Nice to see another video! Even if you already did some video about gravel spreading or the like, we still enjoy seeing new ones. After all, we are all tractor enthusiasts! There is many ways I read below that are good. Main thing to remember here is the fact that your rear wheels will dictate the working level of your implements, especially the FEL. You want your rear wheels to roll on the proper angled surface. But yet, you have to create it first. That is where the angled blade is handy. Instead of pushing the dirt away (toward forest), I suggest to pull it toward your driveway. You will gradually run on angle (right wheel roll down in the ditch, left wheel rolls up on newly pushed dirt crown). Then when your ditch is done, you can use your FEL to remove the dirt you pulled on your driveway. You may not want to mix dirt with gravel. So you may first (of all) use the blade and grade the top/loose valuable gravel toward opposite side of the driveway. Then, when you are done, you can spread it back. And as you can see, it makes more seat time!!! Cheers!

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey good morning Joe! Thanks very much for the detail above. Yes, have a few options to choose from which make sense. This makes good sense above as well. Dave also said the blade was tilted the wrong way and I think I need to pull the blade back in from the side of the tractor. Appreciate your advice as always. Thanks for the help and have a great weekend. All the best!

[@rustang222]

Your videos are like being at the tractor spa... Some good footage with some very relaxing music. :) Good stuff as usual!

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL Tim! Glad you enjoy it. Thanks for watching and for saying hi! Cheers!

[@paulwiedeman4501]

Good to watch another video GP! Try using the FEL to "chip" away the ditch, digging a little at a time and pushing it up towards the tree line. Once you have a ditch started, you can finish it with rear blade. I used this method to install drainage pipe (the ditch had to be much deeper) and it worked out pretty well. The only drawback is that it took a little longer to finish the project. Hope that helps!

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey Paul - It helps a lot - thanks! A few others suggested the same thing. I appreciate it - have a great weekend!

[@hillhump1789]

Hi GP, You have plenty of great advice from your fantastic community, so I'm not going to rehash what you already know. I'm just glad to see another video! I was getting worried! Peace.

[@GPOutdoors]

Oh hey , thanks HH. That's really kind of you to say. Mrs. GP hurt herself (nothing serious - all good) this past week, so I had to keep close, look after her and be GP "Indoors" for several days. But next week, I have to move two of my daughters for college so will be a quiet week again I'm afraid. Thanks for all your support. Have a great weekend and talk again soon!

[@hillhump1789]

@@GPOutdoors Good morning GP, I hope Mrs. GP is back to 100% and is doing well. Safe journeys with the college moves, and best of luck to the scholars. My days of colleges moves are done. Never enjoyed bringing my kids back to school. Would much rather have them home, but such is life, right? I look forward to your next video. Peace.

[@cptophers4626]

Good work with the box blade. I think the ditch will be fine. As long as you knocked down the high areas and made an angle away from the road the water will do the rest and cut its own ditch. thanks for the videos

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning CP! Thanks for the note. Have a good weekend!

[@lorenledebuhr1004]

Did good with the box. Make sure you scarifying to boot me of ruts or potholes it will may your roadbed more uniform and last longer. On the open blade ditching; Make the lower part of the blade closest to the tractor and tip the blade one hole more aggressive. Then run the ditch.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning Loren. Thanks! I appreciate it a lot. All the best to you!

[@lucky_lou75]

Use the bucket as a scoop to ruff in the ditch. It will take a little more time that way but with it ruffed in then take your angle blade to finish it off. Good job and keep up the good work.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning Luis! I was thinking of trying with the bucket but wasn't sure, so thought best to ask you folks first. Appreciate the advice very much. Have a good weekend

[@jacksonk5308]

Very satisfying. I wish I had some grading work to do right about now. I don’t know what you were in, looked like medium from the video, but if you can, make sure to do this kind of work in low. It’s a lot easier on your transmission than medium even is, and, I’m not positive, but you might even be able to pull past some of those rocks you got stuck on with the box blade. Rear blade worked pretty well. I think for the runoff channel you’re probably better off dropping one outside scarifier very low on the box blade and running along it with that, or digging down with the loader. It’ll take the longest, but the loader will do the best job. I don’t think your rear blade is going to do you much good for trench digging when it’s that far out from the side of the tractor. It has more leverage on the tractor and the three point hitch than the tractor and three point hitch has on IT. Make sure to watch your three point arms when you’re doing that kind of work with your blade too. I know I know, they’re 3/4” or 1” thick hardened steel bars but they still bend, and when they do they can be a pretty penny to replace. Great video, great camera angles and great edits. Just the kind of thing I like to wake up to. Cheers!

[@GPOutdoors]

Good day Jackson. Thanks for some pretty solid advice there. As always, I appreciate you taking the time to help out. Glad you enjoyed it. Have a wonderful weekend !

[@hc7190]

I enjoy all your videos , you do a great job . There are some very good comments as well to give us all new ideas. I noticed you back dragging with your bucket which I do many times also . Another way is to use your back blade turned backwards if it is heavy enough , that way you can level things out without digging in and you can also set at an angle which you can't do with your bucket . I do that with a light snow on my gravel drive too when there isn't enough to use the blower so I don't dig it all up before the drive has a chance to freeze . Keep up the great work you have wonderful place .

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey good morning Herb! Thanks! Some good ideas there I still need to try out. I will keep in mind for future. I am still learning to get the hang of the rear blade but getting a little better each time. Appreciate it and will try them out. Thanks again!

[@hc7190]

@@GPOutdoors I put an extra nut on the bolts that hold the cutting edge as they would get a little banged up and hard to get off if used in a backwards manner like I do at times . I don't have a box blade as I wouldn't really have enough use for it , but yours sure is nice and you did a great job with it . My drive is pretty flat so it stays in good shape for the most part . We are expecting another snow storm this weekend so the 2650 will get some more use . I do have a cab , at 76 the warm cab sure is nice . I don't really care for it in the summer that much as I use it for a lot of gardening etc. and need to use the AC as it gets so hot without it in the cab even though it is nice outside .

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey the B2650 is a great machine Herb. Perhaps in a number of years, as I get older, I will upgrade since I don't really need more than that now. Good call getting the cab on it. I am sure the heat and AC are really helpful and makes working outside more enjoyable. And hey, its so healthy to be working outside and for me, it is relaxing and peaceful. No matter how tired I am afterwards, I always feel so good after working outside all day. Good luck with the snow this weekend. I am hoping we get some of it too!

[@JM-zp7eo]

I know it’s already been mentioned but a grader is the easiest and best way imo to maintain a gravel driveway. I enjoyed your video.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning and thanks for the comment JM! Yes, a few folks have suggested that as well. I think by grader you mean a rear blade, correct? Have a great New Years and thanks for tuning in!

[@JM-zp7eo]

GP Outdoors I got lazy in my description. I mean the grader scraper. It floats as you run it and has 2 cutting wedges. The front has rippers for breaking up the surface if you need to remove pothole etc. people call them graders, scrapers, levelers but they are good for smoothing and leveling dirt as well but don’t dig or carry dirt as well as a box blade. I want a box blade but waiting on the money but nothing beats the. Grader scalper for gravel driveways. It’s very user friendly. No learning curve.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks JM. I have a unit called a Landplane which sounds very similar - there are several videos with it in use. (example is video #185). Thanks again and all the best!

[@houndsmanone4563]

Nicely done, GP. Man that was some nice rich looking dirt along side the drive way. I hope the run off works well. Thumbs up.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks Houndsman!

[@stevengardepe6037]

After I fix the driveway I drive over it with my truck as it's twice as heavy as the tractor and help pack the stone. Looks like the driveway was just dry enough to work it. Nice job

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks kindly Steven. Have a great weekend!

[@darinnelson6511]

When you are cutting the ditch try using the box blade at the most angle you can get it will remove material rather than pushing it into the bank

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning and thanks Darin. I will give that a try. Have a good weekend!

[@LouisianaTractorworks]

First try right? Then not to bad, some more practice and some tips from all these guys. You'll be a PRO in no time GP! Thanks for the vid and have a great weekend!!!

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks LA! Got lots of support so I should be good for the next time. Cheers and all the best!

[@SteveJohnson-sn9gq]

Nice video as usual, but enough of the flashing lights already.😂

[@5075E]

They work equally well in dirt. A lot of landscapers use them. Nothing works as well or as fast as a land plane to flatten out a grade.....Dan

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks Dan. Much appreciated. I might have the opportunity to test one out come Spring. Cheers!

[@slamsshenanigans2296]

GP just angle your blade more vertically. And change the trailing edge of the blade to where the soil exits That way it cuts into virgin soil without fighting the pile your making Right now you have trailing edge with soil exit direction so the blade won’t cut in as much Great video as always!

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey good day Jim. That's exactly how it felt - like I was fighting against it. And when it piled up too much, it started to make the tractor turn sideways. Thanks! I appreciate it. Have a good one and all the best!

[@mikeg4267]

Nice video, I would use the bucket side to side and take out about 6 inches, then go over it with a york rake. Your only looking for a low spot for the water to travel. Thats my 2 cents.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning Mike. Thanks! I think that makes sense to use the bucket first - a few folks have suggested that. I don't have a rake but you make a good point. I just need a low spot. Enjoy the weekend!

[@terryluebbe2560]

Always nice to watch you take on new tasks. Between your videos and the comments, I learn a thing, or two. I suspected you might fi d you needed to pull the box blade down such a steep hill. I assume you tilted the box blade to the left when blading the left side of the drive?

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey good day Terry. LOL. Good catch. No , I should have, but I didn't. But I did go back up the right way. Good eye. :)) Thanks for tuning in and for saying hi - I appreciate it always. Have a good one and talk to you on the next one!

[@rickmiller272]

You might want to try less blade engagement with more trailing angle with the cut close in to the rear tire of the tractor. I have found this works well for me on small equipment with limited power. In the video you had a lot of blade engagement but not much angle and your equipment does not have the weight or the power for that. Hope this is helpful good luck and thanks for the videos.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning Rick. I think that explains it perfectly. I found it awkward, so to speak, and have a few other subs suggesting the same thing. So, I should do better on the next run. Cheers and thanks for helping me out. Enjoy the weekend!

[@Kryton619]

Many ways to skin a cat GP. I have used both the blade and the box blade over the years to work on ditches....practice makes perfect. Do you have a rear remote on your tractor? I finally picked up a cylinder at Princess Auto and made a hydraulic top link which comes in very handy when using the box blade to adjust how aggressive the cut is without having to get off the tractor to do it.

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning Kryton! No, I haven't yet but a few folks have suggested they are a good unit to have. Have a good one!

[@barney1941]

ud be a great school teacher

[@raydodson6675]

I think I would have angled my blade more to the right and got rid of the vegetation and then went back with the right side of the blade dropped much more then the left side and made more of a V shaped ditch. After that I would have bladed the road. Just my opinion. I do admit that I have always bladed gravel roads with a Road Grader with a 12 foot blade and could complete the job in 7 passes including a ditch on both sides of the road. Much easier than a little tractor. Good Luck

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey good day Ray. Thanks for the advice- will keep it in mind for next year when I start again. Still learning how to use them properly so advice is always welcome. Of course, if we were neighbours you could just drop by with the Road Grader :)) Cheers and thanks!!

[@NB88]

One of my subs sent me over, nice channel. I love that land pride blade...I like how it off sets. Mine doesn't do that. So who makes that BECO equipment or more precisely, where is made?

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey NB! yes , great rear blade. It is manual but big difference in price between the manual and the hydraulic. I believe the BECO is made overseas.I bought it here in Canada. Thanks for checking in. Cheers!

[@122276mjs]

I like your videos, I’m sure it’s been said but land levelers work so much better than box blades on gravel driveways. I have a 1000ft (no idea in meters haha) driveway and its night and day difference between using the 2

[@GPOutdoors]

Good day M! Thanks very much - I appreciate the great comments. Yes, a few folks have mentioned it. I have not used one before but fortunately, the good folks at Farmer Equipment Sales are going to loan me one shortly to try out. I am looking forward to seeing how well it works. Thanks again for the good info and kind comments. Cheers!

[@andrewbrenneman9592]

Might start using the loader to get a step ahead of the blade. Also, using the box scraper with some tilt from the rear lift arms and 1 or 2 rippers engaged shallowly to get through the hard pack. Lengthen the top link til the both blades are flat. OR CAREFULLY use the rear blade of the box scraper (going in reverse) to dig a ditch. NOTE: The rear blade (of box scraper) will dig quick, so may have to work lift arms so you don't dig deep holes. (I have done this with my tractor & box blade)

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey good day Andrew. Thanks! Appreciate the detail and options. Will give it a try. Have a great weekend and thanks again!

[@andrewbrenneman9592]

@@GPOutdoors I used my tractor & 6' boxscraper (some short time ago) to grade a driveway AND divert water runoff from county road. I tilted the right side using the adjustable link and dug a lite ditch to divert water away from house and into neighboring field. So far so good. Going in reverse will allow the boxscraper to dig if it is NOT level front to back. But there will need to be some adjustment from top link. This adjustment is touchy so don't go to extremes. Hope this helps everyone grading driveways and trying to divert water. HINT: hydraulic top and/or side links will make this easier and faster on the go.

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey good morning and thanks Andrew. Thanks for the info above - I will need to try to dig out runoff ditches in a few other spots this summer. When you use the box blade to dig the ditch, do you use the scarifiers as well and if so, how far down do you set them? Or do you use the box without the scarifiers down at all? Thanks so much!

[@barney1941]

you may want to tilt the box blade and shorten up one check chain to deal with the lack of ditches on sides of road .the box blade has a bit more ass to it

[@peterkober6758]

G P good job nice bed hope I can learn how use my blade God Bless PaK

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks Peter!

[@leol1682]

GP good video you will learn . the blade is not angel wel .

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning Leo. Yes, it seemed "awkward" behind the tractor when I was trying to use it but got lots of good help here so should go better next time. Cheers!

[@stanleyjohnston5876]

You may need to put a ditch on both sides of the road to prevent ruts in the road.

[@brettchristinaadams8112]

Try shifting your blade to the left. Keep the same angle, but the end of the blade engaging the ground should be the shorter end( the end not sticking a foot outside of your tire. Then you’ll need to tip it more aggressively toward the ground your trying to ditch. It did seem like their were some boulders that may give you trouble, you know what to do about those.

[@bkrgi]

Was just going to say the same....engage the shorter end into the ground ...trying to engage the longer end of the blade has leverage working against you

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning folks. Thanks for the help. You are correct. Kept running into rocks along the way. Thanks again and enjoy the weekend!

[@fubr0401]

Rough the ditch in with your bucket and finish it with the blade.

[@stanleyjohnston5876]

You may need a plow and/or backhoe to install ditches

[@nickg2366]

Would tamping the driveway help with the washouts?

[@GPOutdoors]

Good day Nick. I am not sure if it would. It was just a path cut through the forest years ago and has never had a good base laid on it or anything. Just more gravel or crusher rock on parts of it each year so there are still lots of spots that are more dirt, than gravel. But I will ask my friend who does excavating this year when he comes with a load. Thanks !

[@dan3076]

is your position stop knob (for the 3 point) a pain like mine is .....hard to adjust and always slips

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey good day Doug. I have honestly never used it. Never needed to yet. But i will give it a little work out over the next week or so and see how it works. Thanks for watching. Cheers!

[@hendersonlandworks6158]

Need to get a land plane or others call it a land leveler it work perfect for your driveway!!

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning Justin. Thanks - I may have one to try out in the spring so will look forward to seeing how well it works. Cheers and all the best!

[@johns6290]

I agree I use my land plane all the time. No issues pulling up hill either and it moves the gravel back from the edges

[@thatguyc5899]

GP, What size Finnish stone did you cover the drive with? I have to rework and top cover my drive in the spring.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning TGC! It is called Crusher Run up here - I believe it is 3/4" size and down to silt. I think you can also order larger sizes. It works great for me - but if you have a dirt driveway (dirt and gravel) like mine, it is important not to drop it before the ground dries out and hardens after the winter (usually no earlier than end of May, beginning of June, assuming normal weather, and should not drop it later than probably mid to end of September. This I have learned from the excavation guy who has looked after the driveway for years before I got the tractor. Hope that helps!

[@thatguyc5899]

That is very helpful. I plan to order my box blade this week. I am leaning towards a heavy duty 54” one. While the 2601 has lots of power I have found with the “soil” I have, mostly rocks and clay, the tractor is at its upper limit to drag 60” implements through the ground.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good luck Guy C! I think you are in Ontario (?) and if so, perhaps include Farmer Equipment Sales in your research. I spec'd 5 or 6 different manufacturers before choosing and they had the most rugged, well built and at a really good price compared to the others. I did a video review (video #38) on it the first time I used it. I have never used another one but am still 100% happy with it. And as I think you know, I don't get paid anything for referring or anything. But I can get you 10% off, if you decide it is the right one for you. Cheers and good luck!

[@thatguyc5899]

I was bored this afternoon and between baking loaves of bread I did the crazy, ridiculous over-research we all do when it comes to equipment. I bought a 54” EA Xtreme Duty box blade, in Kubota orange of course. Won’t be ready for six weeks, but that isn’t a problem as everything will still be frozen well beyond that. Seemed a good fit for size and weight at 175 kg / 385 lbs.

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey congrats! EA has some great equipment from what I have seen so you should be very happy. Hey fresh bread? Nice! To this day one of the best things is fresh baked bread. Cheers and have a Happy New Year TGC!

[@afponiky]

Haa Haa,,,,, I find stumps that way also!

[@20GeneStarwind20]

Have you ever thought of getting a roller and roll your drive to compact the drive tighter.

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey good day Nathan. No, actually never thought of that. My grandpa always rolled the lawn but that is not a bad idea. Thanks! Cheers!

[@danielculver5942]

Your big hill isn't 45 degrees, more like 15-20 degrees at most. Good video playing with your blades though.

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL Daniel. Thanks very much for watching and for the comments and suggestions. I know it doesn't look like it on camera but I have done a rough estimate on it using 2x4s and a digital laser level. I also have a slope indicator in my truck and before I get half way up, it already registers past the max reading on the gauge. She's a steep one for sure. Thanks again for the tip on using the ripper on the gutter. All the best!

[@jackierinehardt3534]

What does one like this cost?

[@coypatton3160]

With ruts in those areas get aggressive with your box blade teeth. Otherwise you may be doing little more than raking gravel into the rut to be knocked out.

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey Coy, thanks. I was talking with a neighbour and he suggested the same thing, he said I should drop the scarifiers deeper. I have never used them on a more aggressive profile but I am going to do that and we'll see how it works. Thanks - really appreciate it. Cheers!

[@daveknowshow]

blade is angled the wrong way for creating a ditch.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning Dave. I heard you have a video on it so will check it out. Thanks and hope you are doing great. Cheers!

[@daveknowshow]

yes in the video I did I cut the ditch in the some what wrong direction for most applications but for my application it was the best option because I did not want to have to clean dirt off the asphalt driveway and I needed to miss the buried power line to the pole light. It has been holding up very well and there has been no undermining of the driveway so far. I may do a follow up video soon to try it in the proper direction.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks a bunch Dave. I will watch it a few times before I try the second attempt. You make great videos - always well explained and easy for me to understand. Cheers and have a great one!

[@rickmiller272]

Just thought of a video that will show you the how to, Daveknowshow "how to use a rear blade to cut a ditch"

[@GPOutdoors]

Got it - thanks Rick!

[@stanleyjohnston5876]

You need to go slower - measure the vertical links to be same length on the first cut to remove ruts - then put the crown in the road, but go slower.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning Stanley! Thanks for this. I have been told a few times to go slower. I feel like I am going slow but will keep that in mind next time. Have a good one and thanks for helping!