The blade is attached to the tractor by use of the three point hitch. If you are not familiar with tractors, this hitch allows the tool to be raised or lowered easily using the hydraulic system of the tractor. The movable arms of this hitch allow the blade to be lifted or lowered. It also can tilt the blade to the left or the right. This can all be done from the seat of the tractor, so that the operator does not have to stop the tractor, get off and adjust the blade. Instead, he simply moves the two leavers that control the hitch and the blade.

Many box blades have two cutting edges. This allows them to be used in both a forward and a reverse direction. In addition, in the front of the blade are three or more ripper shanks or scarifiers. The ripper shanks can be retracted when not needed, but are very helpful in breaking up hard ground before it is being leveled. On more expensive models of the blades, the operating blade in reverse leads to a floating blade. This can be very useful in leveling work.

The correct size of box blade will depend on the area that you are working with. If you have a very small area to level, you may find that a small forty two inch model that is made for use with a small lawn tractor or even an ATV will do an adequate job. If you have a much larger area that you need to level, then you will want the larger six foot unit. Just be warned, the larger blades require larger tractors to have adequate force for working the blade.

Some large commercial blades come with laser guidance systems. The systems automatically adjust the hydraulic system to keep the blade level with the ground.

Before attempting to level any dirt, all logs and large rocks should be removed from the area. Lock the blade in place and use it in reverse to bulldoze any large dirt piles down so that the tractor does not have to drive over them. It is important that the tractor be kept level in order to avoid a tipping hazard.

You are now ready to lower the shanks and use them to break up any hard ground as well as roughly level the area. This is especially helpful with areas that are higher than the rest of the ground. Once the ground is broken up, you will be able to raise the shanks and lower the blade for moving dirt as necessary.

The last pass should have the blade in a floating position and be done in reverse. This will help to give the final leveling of your new yard.

Are you searching into smoothing and contouring the land? If so, then the box blade and the box scraper is the way to go. These devices can easily be hooked to the back of the tractor.