Box Scraper TSC Box Blades

[mrutkaus]

Saw Dark Horse 5' and 6' here in Winchester, VA, $300/$350. Salesman said when TSC returned all their Minot tractors to China, they wouldn't give their money back, but gave them Dark Horse boxblades/tillers/etc. instead. Considers them pretty much junk.

They looked like they would be OK for light duty stuff, scarifiers seem exact the same as KKII box blades and the box frame they are mounted in seems strong, but the sides are pretty thin.

Interesting, if this picture is clear at all, is that I saw two KK box blades right next to each other and I assume same price, but the steel on one was noticably thicker than the other.

Mike

[actionaj]

Nasty looking welds on it.

[greggh]

One of the major concerns for a box blade is weight. The 3 pt has no down pressure. So if the box blade does not have enough weight it cannot get a sufficent amount of dirt, it will just drag over the top of the soil. Thin steel means less weight. I would also be wary of the quality of the steel.

[slan]

I asked the same questions in a previous post "Box Blade Questions"

How do you tell good metal from bad. I usually give it a rap with something metal and the higher the tone the harder the material is.
I don't know if that is acurate or not, its just what someone told me a long time ago.

Anyone know how to tell the quality of the metal (without taking the grinder to it)
Probably wouldn't go over well at the store. LOL

[3RRL]

Not sure how could tell good metal from bad unless one was cast iron and one was forged steel. I would get the thicker metal if they are the same price. I'm thinking there are price differences in same size models, though. I know there was when I was shopping for a boxblade for my wife. If I'm not mistaken, TSC lists the same sizes at different prices, so I'm pretty sure there is a quality and weight difference.

[jbrumberg]

Mike:

I would get the heaviest BB I could afford and my tractor could lift and drag. Jay

[john_bud]

Mike:

I would get the heaviest BB I could afford and my tractor could lift and drag. Jay

Exactly!

jb

[E_Sanborn]

.....Interesting, if this picture is clear at all, is that I saw two KK box blades right next to each other and I assume same price, but the steel on one was noticably thicker than the other.

Mike

Interesting, saw the same thing here in central Texas (San Marcos TSC) identical KK BB-60s; 3 of them with 1/4" plate end caps, spotty welds, and one BB-60 with 5/16" plate ends and a noticably better quality of welding and fit. Bought the good one. All the same model, price. Maybe it was the last made in America unit.

They also had one Dark Horse KK knock off. $200 less. It seemed to be the same materials and construction as the "lesser" KKs. Interestingly, while the KK gear arrives unpalleted and is generally beat-to-dirt by F-lifts and careless employees, the DH BB was "crated" with lightweight 1" angle iron tack-welded together. That doesn't speak well of their own experiences moving them.