Box Scraper Box blade size on a Kubota M-5040

[Ken45101]

I want to get a new, bigger box blade for my Kubota M-5040 (50 hp, 4WD). I currently have an old 5' box blade but that doesn't extend to the outside of the tires. I want this for trail maintenance so I want to extend beyond the 6' tire width and I'd prefer not to get the tractor too close to the edge.

I've been thinking toward an 8' blade. That would give me a foot on either side to clean out the dirt that washes down from the uphill side and redistibute it to widen the trail. I obviously want the trails somewhat wider than the tractor and 7' seems like it's cutting it close.

The Kubota manual says a maximum of a 7' blade for the tractor. The 3 point has plenty of excess lift capacity, so that's not an issue. Box blades are hard to find around here, but one dealer can get me a Bush Hog MBX-960 (rated 55 hp for 4wd).

I would appreciate any comments about 7' vs. 8' for this tractor. Can anyone come up with good reasons against the 8' box blade?

Thanks,

Ken

 

[cgreenway]

I pull a 6' on my 30hp, B3030, and it works great for my use, I would say go for it on the 8', thats just my 2cents,

 

[art]

Anything that we have found recommended for a kubota tractor won't break it! It doesn't mean it can't use more with good descresion.

 

[BayouMan]

Hey Ken,
For what it's worth, I pull a 7' box blade behind my JD-2640. It has 70 hp at the pto. I can stall that tractor pulling an old Gill box blade. What I mean is I can load the box up to the point that I just spin my rear tires, which are loaded. I use it now to primarily keep our trails cleared and to fill in ruts at our hunting lease. I think a 7' box would suit your needs perfectly. An 8' blade may be a bit large for your tractor. Now if all you are doing is pulling debris from the trails and not pulling a lot of dirt, the 8' might be fine.

Mike

 

[john_bud]

That's a fairly light duty box for your tractor. It specs out at 790 pounds or just about 100 pounds per linear foot. It will be prone to bending the blade in the center if you have many rocks or roots in the ground you are working.

It will also skip and skitter across the top of the ground a lot. It would be better performing and more durable in the 1200 pound minimum range. 1400 - 1500 would put it in the industrial class and you will have a hard time damaging one of them. Then again, it's a LOT more $$.

If you want to read about the benefits of box blade weight, read about 3RRL's modified box and how it improved the performance. I think he is just over 1000 pounds and 6' wide.



jb

 

[talltale]

I pull a 7' Landpride box blade behind my M-5040. If I'm ripping or get to aggressive with the cut angle I can easily overpower the tractor. An 8' will work if you're careful with your cut angle and don't set the ripper depth to deep.

 

[Ken45101]

I pull a 7' Landpride box blade behind my M-5040. If I'm ripping or get to aggressive with the cut angle I can easily overpower the tractor. An 8' will work if you're careful with your cut angle and don't set the ripper depth to deep.

Thanks for the data. My plan is to use it mostly for smoothing already dug dirt. Usually whenever I've used the teeth, I only use them on one side (the high side of what I'm trying to level).

In days long gone by, I had less equipment and used the smaller box blade in unintended ways. I even dug a little "pondlet" with the box blade. But now I have more appropriate toys, LOL, so the box blade would be used for smoothing, not excavation.

But I am tending more toward the 7' after comments here and thinking that maneuverability might be tight with an 8' blade on trails in the woods.

Ken

 

[pitt_md]

I pull a 7' Landpride box blade behind my M-5040. If I'm ripping or get to aggressive with the cut angle I can easily overpower the tractor. An 8' will work if you're careful with your cut angle and don't set the ripper depth to deep.

Its kind of supprising to me that you would have power issues. It must be the ground your working. My MX5000 is the same hp as the M-5040 and I set my teeth all the way down and run in 4th low and never see any sign of overpowering the tractor.

 

[Ken45101]

Its kind of supprising to me that you would have power issues. It must be the ground your working. My MX5000 is the same hp as the M-5040 and I set my teeth all the way down and run in 4th low and never see any sign of overpowering the tractor.

I wonder what talltale means by "overpowering". Does he mean "stall" the engine, or the tractor stops moving because the wheels are slipping? Also is his unit 2wd or 4wd?

Ken

 

[Redbug]

Hi Ken,

You also need to know what the weight/load limit is for the 3 point hitch. Your manual should have it listed. Too heavy of a box blade would overload the rating of the lift arms and you could do damage over time.

Just curious...what is the weight rating for a M5040? I have an L3830 and mine is in the range of around 800 pounds.