How NOT to Box Blade Your Gravel Driveway

[@GardenDocSC]

Fantastic video brother! Learn as you go...that's real life! I've been using my tractors on my land for 10 years now (I'm 56), and I learn more by error than anything else! Appreciate the honest video. Even though this video is 5 years old at this point, it's still a great example of "do, learn, do, learn". (And I'd break those asphalt bits up and use them with the gravel).

[@thnksno]

I'm fairly new to using the box blade , but I've found it to be an indispensable tool for leveling nearly a 1/4 mile of gravel driveway. It also is great for cutting swales or leveling dirt. One tip I have, avoid using the scarifiers until the blade no longer works. Basically if the blade isn't cutting the surface, but sliding across, then lower the scarifiers. Another tip, you need to properly level the blade to the tractor, both front to back and side to side. If your top link is too long, get a shorter one. I put the tractor and blade on level concrete, then I use a bubble level to level the box blade. You want the two blades perfectly level front to back in just about every situation and you do this with the top link only. However, if you want to slope a crown or cut a ditch, then you lower/raise one of the lower arms. Also, don't forget to tighten the sway links and ensure the box blade is aligned to follow the tractor without kicking to one side or the other.

[@dewfree5869]

bet yours looks like shit too

[@Sullivans2003]

Great advice!

[@allenkaczor120]

Your silent response when she suggested putting a landscape border all down your 1/4 driveway was funny! I just bought an LS4140C with a boxblade, just waiting for it to dry out before my first attempt. Thanks for the video.

[@mp40submachinegun81]

Dont let it dry out gravel will go hard better to do it when its a little wet

[@jacklabloom635]

Actually, you did a pretty good job for your first use of a box blade. We all learn from experience. You’ll be an expert the next time you use that box blade. I like that your wife gave you positive feedback.

[@geremychubbuck3730]

Very nice. One tip - you should always use 4WD when you use a ground engaging attachment such as a box blade. Looks good.

[@papageo5]

It looks better for sure. Next time, leave the rippers higher. If you ever have a chance, try a rock rake. I love mine for the garden, and gravel, as well as raking limbs from trails through my woods. A rock rake would be perfect for after the box blade. I helps bring the gravel up to the surface. Don't be so hard on yourself, you did a good job, and learned as you went!

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

Actually went to look at a rake after work today. It had been broken and welded too many times for how much the guy was asking. I'm still looking.

[@dewfree5869]

at this point teaching is gone

[@integr8er66]

Yep, I love my rake, I have a grader, but 9 times out of ten I just dress it with a rake and that doesn't loosen it all up so deep. If you get a rain right after what you did you will likely have huge ruts if you have much of a hill at all.

[@mlanham3382]

Hey Aaron you guys did a great job on the video. I just bought some farm equipment in the tractor last year and I have a 150 acres that gets to be a great big trial experiment for me as well starting with my driveway I think I need to go pick up a box blade. I bought one with the initial tractor and package of stuff I picked up and then returned it thinking I wouldn't have a need for it. Now I find out I really do need it LOL thanks for the video you guys did a great job

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

We would LOVE to have that much land. Implements seem to be those things that you don't think you need, then you wonder how you ever got anything done without them.

[@zpoedog]

With your attitude, You will learn. Take it from a 40 year dirt mover. Every time you make a mistake see how and why.

[@ChrisFiggatt]

Good job. I would bet that the larger gravel was put down as the initial base layer and just got pulled up by the rippers.

[@gregd.88]

I think you did what you set out to do. It look better and the grass is gone!

[@chromedome1120]

First time watching your channel and I did subscribe! I feel you did an excellent job , you should just tear up that whole drive and get rid of that old blacktop and just make it a gravel drive

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

Thank you. You're right. That'll be a job for the future, when I have more time and money to throw at it. I've gotten a little better at using the box blade, but I didn't feel the need to record and upload the same thing over again.

[@chromedome1120]

Black Sparrow Ranch now that you mentioned that maybe you could rent a 3 point tililler if they blacktop isn’t to thick u could tear it up and recycle it back in the ground 🤔

[@brucerazor5202]

You are a good and honest man two thumbs up 👍 👍

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

Thank you sir. That is one of the greatest compliments I've ever received.

[@unsaltedlife5998]

Got the same problem with my drive way and the box blade seems like the fix plus the cost to keep adding gravel all the time is a waste of money. Thanks for the advice.

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

Lately I've been considering getting a load of gravel, but I think I'm going to give it another go once it dries out. I'd rather keep that money in my pocket!

[@DARKMASSES]

Loved the honesty more than the important info. Liked subscribed and hope you will continue on with more videos. BTW yes your strong those things are heavy and make a good counter weight. Please continue as you did shorten my learning curve, thanks

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

I'll keep messing stuff up, so you don't have to :)

[@rvdawg6231]

Looks great. Thanks for sharing

[@travisregalo1006]

After the first rain it will wash that top dirt and mud away and the rock will shine like a new driveway

[@doylemarkham1010]

You did a good job

[@MrThenry1988]

Roundup. I use it 4 time or more a year on my drive.

[@arthurbass1191]

U Did A great job Buddy

[@johnnyturbo8460]

U can use the linch pin... just dril out the hole a little

[@rosendocavazos4566]

Nice video. I have that shirt!

[@allenhunt3070]

Enjoyed your video. I think just the blade would have done the trick for you. Also, a hydraulic top link is very handy when using a box blade.

[@JohnDoe-vq8bg]

Concensus, looks great!

[@James-fs4rn]

👍 thanks for sharing!

[@Benjywells1]

I subscribed. Great attitude. Looks much better.

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

I appreciate that. Congrats on being our 500th subscriber :)

[@joetterolison1286]

Hi Thanks for being a Normal Person We don't know what We don't know until We have to figure it out until it works Thanks Ken in Florida

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

Thanks Ken. I did watch a lot of videos before attempting this, but it's not as easy at it looks.

[@joetterolison1286]

You are welcome That's why we all watch these videos is to see what works & what doesn't You know how to get the videos posted I don't You are no Kid and I'm sure You can rationalize know it all's @@BlackSparrowRanch Ken

[@theobradley5926]

Ned Kelly look alike my friend

[@countryboycharlie9793]

Your making this just to difficult,just stay on the tractor we can see the video, time will tell.. u put landscape the u will have to weed eat..just keep box blading over and over over time, it will start shaping up

[@dewfree5869]

you learned somehting / good nite

[@edniederriter7407]

K

[@billbyrnes9505]

DRILL it, make the pin fit! If you ain't screwing up, you ain't learnin'!

[@sipthewater]

Brush hog. Bush hog. But all that you call mistakes is the very best way to learn. We all know nothing at all in the beginning. Good job.

[@douglasmacomber6881]

Much better David!!! Good job for your 1st time!!

[@mdb777exec]

David, loved the video. Watching it while on business in Argentina. I just got a new tractor and equipment to clean up a new property. I really enjoyed the video and your sincereness of trying the box blade for the first time. I realize most of all the work we do is first of all is trial and error and a lot of learning. Your drive way came our great and most of all you got your wife’s seal of approval. I also like reading your responses and replying to the douchebags who cheap shotted you on some of their comments. I’m subscribed and I will keep watching. Go for it bro. You earned the 2 pizzas and some brews. 👍

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

You know how it is. Everyone has an opinion. I just try to learn what I can here and there, whether the comment is nice or not. We appreciate the subscription!

[@derekhuber3392]

“I’m not scared to make a mistake as long as I don’t break anything or it doesn’t cost me a lot of money.” Best way to learn 👍

[@joetterolison1286]

When I was a bench tech in the Navy the Shop Supervisor told Me if I didn't break something every now and then I wasn't working

[@davidcruse8291]

I appreciate the video and your experiences. I've watched other far more experienced tractor operators and they seem to miss the fact that there are brand new folks to this kind of work. I just got a tractor and some implements to do some work and am also learning as I go.

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

I watched a lot of videos before I tried this, and I still didn't do a very good job. It definitely takes some practice.

[@davidcruse8291]

I think you did a great job, considering all the asphalt scattered around.

[@cbyway1828]

I subbed! I like your attitude brother. Not afraid to get in there and give it a shot! That’s the Cowboy Way! I have never used a box blade either and came here due to the fact I am buying my dad a box blade to fix his gravel driveway. He’s 83 and just can do it. Anyway, you helped me a lot. I know it’s harder than some guys make it look. I think your drive looks 100% better!

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

I really appreciate that. I'll probably have to grade it once more before winter hits, so we'll see if I do a better job next time. There's lost more stuff for me to mess up if it ever stops raining.

[@dewfree5869]

AS=are you shitting me!

[@robertjackson9601]

Your not learning unless your doing. Box blading is something you need to use to learn.

[@mikah4051]

Thanks for sharing. I just got a tractor with a box blade so it's nice to know we all the same problems to solve when trying for the first time.

[@joebarrett9830]

The larger stone and clay you brought up is a bad thing. The larger stone is the base layer, kind of like a foundation for a house. The larger stone prevents the smaller pieces of stone from sinking into the clay/mud when it rains and gets soft. For a better result, keep the teeth just about the level of the blade in the back. For your driveway, the blade should level out the smaller gravel and also scalp the grass/weeds. Just go over the driveway about 4 or 5 times, it will clear the grass and bring the dirt up, as well as level. I seldom use the knives unless it is so bad you can't see anything but dirt and weeks but you know rocks are there. Then I use only the next hole in the knives so it is just deeper than the back blade. Take your time and do small depth drags, don't try to do it all in a pass or two. To me, the sides of the box don't look like they go down far enough to capture the gravel/dirt. Have the sides been worn down? Should make a box with back blade and sides all touching and being level at the top as well as the bottom. To smooth it out you don't need the teeth down, pull them up and just use the blade to smooth it and level any low spots. I hope you didn't totally destroy the base to your driveway. Good luck and hope it worked out well for you.

[@conqueyourworld]

Agreed. If it is possible could he not compact what he has now then spread a layer of gravel on top?

[@dewfree5869]

oh shit whole tutorial

[@dewfree5869]

yeah hush , he is a dumb arse!

[@32plug]

Oh No, Last time I said," Honey, let's have a few drinks and eat some pizza" 9 months later we had our LAST CHILD!!! I knew the combo of pizza and drinks made babies.. Great job on the driveway!!

[@joewickman6581]

Gotta respect a man who’s willing to make a mistake and learn as he goes. Keep it up man!

[@MrBILLBO58]

Great job Hoss, few more passes over the next month or so you'll have it looking better than DOT. (work it up then drive over it to pack it down, work it up then drive over it to pack it down) I'm working in 94 ton traffic bound over 2000' of driveway. It's been 20 years since my last driveway maintenance project here at the Ponderosa. I'm using an old 1942 Ford 9N with box blade and a new Mahindra eMax 20s w/front loader we just bought.

[@derekhuber3392]

Which of the two tractors do you prefer?

[@dondouglas1321]

Hey, not bad. Nobody that I know was born knowing how to do this stuff. Even the "so-called" experts were born as dumb as a box of rocks, until THEY learned from their mistakes. I have to do this same procedure on my property, and I have never done it before, so THANK YOU. It doesn't seem so scary now.

[@garypark2066]

Just watched your video on blading grass filled gravel drive. I purchased a box blade and will apply same techniques. Before & after pics show a big difference, looks great! 👍🏻

[@Mallard5plus1Farmhouse]

Hey man just found your channel! Nice to see a fellow LS owner 👍👍🇺🇸

[@carmenpete]

here's a tip, before removing the brush hog get some blocks, or 6x6's and sit the brush hog on top, makes removal and installs easier - all my implements that are 3 pt are up 6" to 10" off the ground, makes life easier

[@tommac8602]

Mine are on pallets.

[@KMMEDIA1]

You might think, that most people know that. I am using a compact tractor since 3 months. This tip is the best I got so far. Thank You.

[@wiclsurge]

Now that you've roughed it up, i'd put a fresh layer of gravel on it.

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

Gonna do that pretty soon with tax return money.

[@derekhuber3392]

Let it settle a little. You will be amazed with the difference in just a few weeks of use and a couple of rains.

[@dhenschel4]

My vote - get a single ripper to remove the remaining asphalt, should come up easy, and either box blade it up for driving on or let it grow grass as the other area nearby.

[@derekhuber3392]

Sometimes you can get the bucket on the FEL under it and break it into nice big chunks.

[@mrlifetime64]

lift up the rippers now-and run over it again

[@stilltuckered]

My limited experience is that each implement should have it as own top link and PTO shaft. They just seem to work better that way. Implements are built different and the length of top link and PTO being different. Instead of hunting around for the. Right one or better one, it just stays. With the implement.

[@allen4353]

Just bought a bb and will be learning later this week. I think you were a little too deep with the sacrifices. I have crushed asfault that should breakup easily. And mix with the 5/8- crushed gravel. At the start it looked like you were tilted so it picked up a lot of gravel. I think you changed the angle later and that looked like it worked better. Now to see if I can get it right as I use my bb for the first time.

[@robertbirch4163]

After shot looks much better, good job.

[@edwardcarberry1095]

If you have a vise, bend the pin so it doesn't go through. Or put it into where it goes and then hammer on it . If 9/16" goes through try to find a 15mm bolt. length maybe to cut the threads/ taper the bolt??

[@fredhart7904]

You did fine, have good equipment, Normally after a few days and maybe a rain the dirt will drift back down and you will have more rock, Maybe in time you could get another load of rock and smooth that over your driveway, These gravel drives take maintenance from time to time but much cheaper that a blacktop driveway, Also I have a rock rake it will smooth the gravel a bit easier, but in your situation you had to use the box blade diggers to loosen up the top surface, Take a look at a rock rake, you might borrow one before buying to see if it’s something you are interested in,

[@pfs8966]

On your 3 pt implements work from left to right. Right side has the adjustment. Between your hydraulics and adjustment not much banging or lifting should be needed. When you get larger, heavier implements no one is strong enough to horse around.

[@fatkorn420]

Best line "I got a rock in my shoe", keep up the good work

[@brianschafer2168]

I liked "I'm and idiot". You have no idea how many times I say the same thing.

[@angusblack9900]

Looks a lot better.

[@mikemiller4832]

hey there is someone that works like me looks good to me . just bought a new compact tractor waiting for spring

[@piledriver141]

Leave your parking area alone it's compacted. Kill the grass. It's going to take a long time to compact that parking spot.you'll learn

[@scottpatterson6180]

You did a fine job, just dug a little too deep. Another hint that I didn't see from all the great advise would be to crank out the right lower lift arm a few turns, then run on the drive from one end to the other changing sides each time. This will allow you to put a crown in the center which will drain water to the ditches....

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

I didn't think that was necessary because the whole front of the property slopes to one side. If I put a crown on it, I'll have standing water on the propane tank side of the driveway.

[@scottpatterson6180]

@@BlackSparrowRanch Yeah for what it's worth, it's hard to judge grade and slope from a computer monitor! Sounds like you have it figured out. Carry on!

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

Yeah. I run into that a lot when I'm trying to show sections of the pastures. It's very easy for me to see because I'm standing there, but difficult to get the video to show it.

[@davidmendonca5992]

Better. Thanks for overcoming the obstacles on video so I can learn better on how to get it done.

[@danabennett7795]

Hey man try it without the rippers you’ll be surprised how well it does without them

[@derekhuber3392]

He was trying to bring the gravel up to the surface, rippers will do they nicely.

[@gusbiv8282]

Yeah, the rippers only need to be in the first or second hole from the bottom to loosen up about 2 or 3 inches to re-level. Don't know what was going through your mind putting them all the way down, thought you were laying pipeline I guess.

[@robertmeader4065]

You did a nice job

[@qfdforme]

Looks much better. It is now a gravel driveway. Well done.

[@amossnowdaharleyman9179]

Not bad at all. You have a loader on the tractor: simple trick is to lower the loader bucket to float and back blade using the loader bucket after box blading.Will make the surface smooth as a pool table. More details: you want your bucket to be in a slight down angle on the cutting edge. To float you push the lift lever hard forward. You will fill the down pressure position and continuing to push the lever forward you will fill it slip past a detent. Past that detent puts it in float. To remove from float position just pull lever back to raise position.

[@amossnowdaharleyman9179]

feel and not "fill" it slip past detent".

[@wadewaller7852]

I have never used a box blade .but I do use a root rake with 57S and smaller gravel works pretty good. right , wrong or indifferent you went out and made it better .

[@coreysonofander]

I am dying to know if Beth was on board with your pizza and drinks plan? 😀

[@MrMelvinkennedy1]

Fill your front bucket half way with dirt to give you a little more traction on front tires also

[@ERICMB24MF37U24F39]

It's looking good for the first time... and getting better every time... It's the first video i see on your channel and i like the way you recorded it.

[@BigEasyTrucking]

This video was great bud!!! I’m moving back to Texas soon where I have 180 acres. I have two long drives that’ll need grading. I’ve been watching videos on best practices of using a box blade and I learned more from you than anyone else. I will need to crown my drives, guessing just lowering “outside” box relevant to road will give me the crown. Thanks for sharing my friend.

[@robinjackson-krouse8122]

Hello there! Stumbled upon your channel while keeping inside from all the current madness. I hope you and your family are weathering this crisis in safety, comfort and good spirits. It's creeping up on two years since this video - any update, or hindsight thoughts on the job? I am educating myself to 'crown' a long gravel driveway to stop puddling and improve drainage. Great video, and I'll be catching up on some more!

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

Well, it wasn't as great a job as it looked like. I didn't get it packed down well enough before the next rain and I left some pretty deep ruts pulling out of the driveway one morning. I redid it without the teeth a few weeks later and it's much more solid now, though I still think I need another load of gravel. We are doing well so far. We hope you and yours are also doing well.

[@gentelbenn62]

Drop front bucket on float, tilt bucket slightly up. Got see what you got after a good rain.

[@gentelbenn62]

My 1st try on a big machine was not a good one for sure. You did good in comparison.

[@Turkey_Bluff_Farms]

A good weed killer or a propane torch will keep the weeds out of the driveway pretty good. Just spray 2 or 3 times a year. You'll be surprised, once the roots die the grass will disappear. Good job.

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

So I've been told. I always seem to forget that stuff when I'm at Lowe's or Tractor Supply.

[@angelvillanueva8101]

U should put ur shanks on the second hole. U brought up clay.

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

It's all clay here!

[@Rdrake1413]

Looks like a pretty good job for your first time using a box blade. Think if you broke up the asphalt and had a fresh load of crush and run would really make it look better.

[@dewfree5869]

oh shit

[@ArizVern]

Your a big guy 'Blue'. Like your tractor and garage area. I found Quick Hitch really helps changing three point tools. A small adjustment at first, with top pin of some tractor tools needed. I have about 11 cat one 3 points tools, after adjustment I've removed an installed some tools without getting off tractor seat. Had installed tip/tilt, so adjusting 3 points tools for being level and tilt correctly keeps from getting off tractor seat. EDIT: Picking up little larger tractor, moving from 33 to 47 hp, having same setup being installed now. Plus new box blade 7 teeth Land Pride HR2572 851 lbs. And Yes a Sub Spoiler is a great tool to have in your arsenal.

[@pcdubya]

I'd roundup the hell out of that grass, and dude, good hair, lol

[@doacosta]

Man, good job, at least you didn’t made a hole in your brand new $520 back tire with the rippers like I did. I was just backing up from the garage. I had the top link to long and the rippers where hangin up inwards. It was the most painful mistake I ever made. My brand new tractor has less than 3 hours.

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

That definitely doesn't sound like a good day.

[@keithlucas6260]

Stuck one in a worn out tire....at least now I don't feel so bad....my other tractor, has $2 grand tires, thank God it's only setup for drawbar implements.

[@haus05]

liked and subbed ! also follow GP outdoors but you seem like a pretty decent fella too ! keep the good vids coming brother! thanks from the Canadian North

[@braddavis8655]

Just a little bit of advice instead of constantly having to adjust your top link set it up with a hydraulic cylinder on the top link so you can adjust the picth of the blade if you have enough hydraulic Outlets.

[@sevillianc]

How do you adjust the hydro while off the tractor and hooking it up to an implement? Reach over and adjust slightly or is there a little play in it to get it close then hook it up? Does that make sense?

[@DKSorg]

Curious what it like like 2 weeks after you were done and everything had a chance to settle and repack.

[@DKSorg]

Wonder if you would have only have of ripped an inch.... it looked like you went pretty deep.

[@steveschneider7079]

It looks great and the grass will die and be gone.....for a while!! I just bought my tractor yesterday and went over my alley that a deep hole and bad ruts and it straightened it up great! Good video thanks for sharing!

[@SK-qt1rm]

Cheap and easy gravel rake: at TSC- ATV 4' x 4' chain Harrow. $280. Weight it down with old tire with bricks on it. I worked at RV park with gravel driveways and it brought the gravel back to the surface like a charm. People hated it cause it was hard to walk on until the gravel settled down a bit.

[@lakb45]

Looks good to me! I imagine there is a learning curve to all of this. I hope the pizza and drinks happened. You deserve them!!

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

The pizza and drinks definitely happened.

[@chapmaker46]

lol..if you think you did bad,,you should have seen all the trouble i had..took me a while to figure it all out...

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

It definitely takes some practice.

[@melissaisaacs7282]

I think it looks better for sure!

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

Thank you!

[@dewfree5869]

losened some rocks is all he did!

[@rstevens3221]

I think it looks a lot better. I just had a guy level my drive way with a box blade, he used the ripper blades first then smoothed it out with the front end loader. I'm going to lay some gravel next.

[@rjmittleider5011]

Looks much better, tip raise your bucket up all the way,cast the weight back,and easier to see infant, just keep getting better. Then fill bucket with wet dirt for weight and compact it. Good luck 👍

[@floyboy47]

Get those teeth all the way to the top, they will scarify and the blade on your tool will level the driveway. You are way too deep , you are burying the stones and bringing the clay to the top. Go Shallow, remove the grass and when you are done with the box blade use the weight of your tractor and drive over it all and compress the odd stones back into place and it will look nicer

[@crabtrap]

you fluffed the driveway.....usually stretches a new gravel dump off a few yrs. it also is the easiest way to get that grass strip out of between tire tracks, or even the random grass patches. you went a bit deep tho

[@bradenhosking9342]

it may have been covered all ready? But you'd really benefit with a quick hitch on your 3 point. the amount of time and frustration that has saved me is beyond words. best $200 I ever spent.

[@flapjackson6077]

I hope in the last two years you found that the rippers can take out that asphalt if you choose to do that. The rippers are great at ripping up stuff, but remove them altogether for finishing. In fact you may find you don’t need the rippers for most situations. Set the top link so the back blade is a half inch or higher than the front blade, depending on how aggressive you want to grade. Remove the rippers. The front blade will act as a dozer, collecting material and filling low spots. Then backing up, the back blade and front blade together will further smooth out the surface you just went over. Set the side link to raise or lower the right side of the box, allowing you to put a crown on your driveway. Box blades are incredibly useful.

[@BigRigRich]

To me it looks a lot better with all the grass gone. I’ll be using a 6’ box blade behind JD 990 on Sunday, I think I’ll plan on not putting my rippers as deep as you did and see if I don’t bring up the big rocks. Thanks.

[@larrykillebrew2675]

I use a ground sterilant on my drives. Works great, no more grass or weeds creeping up but you may not want the chems. And you definitely don’t want to apply it if it may rain and spread it, until completely dry.

[@Dan-oz4qb]

You need more stuff my friend. Never saw a shed with that much extra room.

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

lol.I'm working on it. We had only lived here about 6 months when I made this video.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Just found your channel. I have a box blade for my sub-compact Massey Ferguson and I still struggle with using the box blade. I think they are a terrific implement, but I find it hard to master. You did a great job for your 1st go. I like how you are figuring out how the box blade works and making adjustments to make it do a better job. I also subbed your channel. Looking forward to following your adventures!!!

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

We really appreciate that. And might I say that is an excellent channel name.

[@doylemarkham1010]

Put a washer in front of cotter pin. Find a AGRI Supply to find things that work

[@joetterolison1286]

Maybe using a single ripper bar you might have good luck busting up that asphalt into removable chunks