Box Scraper 72" or 84" box blade for 45hp 4x4 tractor

   / 72" or 84" box blade for 45hp 4x4 tractor #1  

npaden

Platinum Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2006
Messages
582
Location
Lubbock, Texas
Tractor
2011 LS U5030C
I've been patiently watching for a decent used box blade for almost a year now and there are 2 for sale right now. Both are Bush Hog SBX models.

I really don't "need" a box blade but it would be nice to have to help fill some low spots in my road that is difficult with my 7' straight blade.

I think the 84" would pull fine behind my tractor and it is closer to home than the 72".

Any pros or cons on the 7' over the 6' size? They are both $500.

Thanks, Nathan
 
   / 72" or 84" box blade for 45hp 4x4 tractor #2  
I have the 84" boxblade and I'm glad I got it.
Pros:
- Get more dirt and does a wider swath smoothing so more work done per pass.
- Covers your tire tracks even when rears are spread out to widest.
- Probably heavier than the 6' model and wight is what you want.
- On my dirt road, when tilted sideways, I can cut gutters better since my tires don't need to run in the gutters.
- Usually one more scarifier than the 6' model.
- Your tractor will pull it easily.

Cons:
- If it's a lot wider than your tires, you need to watch for snagging it on stuff as you pass by.
- Some guys say if it's wider than your bucket, it will not fit through the bucket width cut if you have it on. However, I have not had this problem since my bucket cuts are not exact.

So for me the wider 84" boxblade was the right choice.
 
   / 72" or 84" box blade for 45hp 4x4 tractor #3  
I pull a 7' boxbalde with a 45hp or a 55 hp 2wd tractor and have no problem with it. I think the 7' is easier to level an area with just because it is wider. Unless the 6' is a whole lot cheaper than the 7' and not too far away to justify the cost of driving to go get it and come back I'd go with the 7', I would actually go with the 7' even if it were more expensive unless it was several hundred dollars difference.

One thing to watch for if you have one side tilted down severly it may have a tendnecy to drag the front of your tractor the opposite direction than the side you have tilted, but again you have a 4wd so that may not be as drastic as i have noticed on my light front end 2wd MF 135 tractor.
 
   / 72" or 84" box blade for 45hp 4x4 tractor
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Thanks for the input. I'm going to pick up the 7' Bush Hog BX Box Blade on Saturday for $500. It looks like it hasn't been used more than a couple times.
 
   / 72" or 84" box blade for 45hp 4x4 tractor #5  
I've got the same 6' BB on my Kubota L4400 4x4. Its a good blade, better built than most of the lower end brands. Mine has done some serious duty on my place with no problems. I do a lot of stuff in close quarters with trees, narrow trails etc, so a 7' would be more of a problem than a help for me. The six footer is exactly the width of my rears and my bucket.

However, your tractor should handle the 7' one just fine.
 
 
 
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