Box Scraper Sizing a box blade for my JD2040?

[dntfxr]

Hi folks! I have a good bit of dirt to move around prepping our house pad and yard. I'd like to go with a 6' bb to move as much volume as possible but my tractor is 2wd. Would a medium duty 6'er around 700lbs be a good match for my tractor?

On the other hand I also have the little kubota 7100 4wd. I could just get a smaller bb for it but I'd like to get as big as I can handle efficiently, for whichever tractor. Opinions?
Thanks

 

[jshwhite]

I don't think you'd have any problems with a 6 footer. I used to run a 6ft box blade on a 2wd Ford 3600 (approx the same hp). It was no problem at all. When pulling (going forwards), I think the bb tends to pull down on the rear wheels and actually give more traction. It's amazing how much dirt/rock you can drag. It didn't have as much traction pushing backwards though.

I run it with a 4wd Kubota 37hp now and have the same results - can really pull a lot but not so great pushing backwards.

Hope that helps

 

[dntfxr]

Thanks jshwhite, that was very helpful. I went ahead and picked up a 6'er with 3/8" sides. Looks nice and heavy duty. I'm about to go try it out right now, I'll try to snap a pic. Thx again

 

[dntfxr]

Well I got to go play with it some before dark this evening. I've never really used a box blade much before but wow, you are spot on, it flat out moves some earth quick! It definitely puts the weight on the rear tires too, the more full it gets the more traction I had. I was actually considering buying a small dozer before this but that definitely won't be necessary for this job. I think in 2 or 3 days max I can have my hills moved to the house pad area no problem. Thanks again for the response! Heres some pics of the area we just had cleared and the box blade hooked up to the JD. Some show the hoe at work the other day.

 

[jshwhite]

Nice! Glad it worked out well for you. I think you'll find a box blade a really handy implement. I have a FEL, but still use the bb a lot. If you need to work some really hard ground, just drop those teeth down a notch and it'll really rip the dirt. Just make a couple passes with teeth down, then pull them up and scape the dirt off. Really nice for maintaining a long driveway too.

Thanks for the pics!

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

I'm sure you'll be quite pleased with your Modern box blade. I'm impressed with the quality of their construction and really like that they're galvanized.

 

[jenkinsph]

dntfxr,
I think that is the perfect size and weight for your tractor. Let us know how the project goes.

 

[dntfxr]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to get back out and work it some more. I was really amazed at how quick I cut over a foot off of a pretty big hill. Lots of times I was dragging double the volume of the box itself, dirt actually touching the back of my rear tires. And traction was never a problem, it would pick the front end up if I let it! I do have a long drive to maintain too so I know it will be handy with that for years to come. The quality of constuction is real impressive too- all galvanized, 3/8" thick sides and generally heavy construction. I think they're made down in Beaumont too, good ol USA!

It's still a little wet out there but I'm hoping to get some more done before that rain sets in tonight. I may start a project thread and keep it updated, though it will probably be a couple years before we get the house done.

 

[dntfxr]

I got back out this evening and made more progress in moving the dirt. I did manage to break my new toy though. : (

I snagged a root or something but I'm surprised at how easy the ripper broke. Are these things made to break away or is this one possibly defective? I'll contact the dealer where I got it from and see what they say about a replacement.
Also I got a pic from my view on the Deere.

 

[jshwhite]

Seems to me like it might be defective. I'm pretty tough on mine and have never broken a ripper. Several times I have taken out small trees by just getting over top of it, snagging it, and yanking it out. I did some work for a friend recently clearing some ground in the woods. I ripped out a lot of roots and even small tree stumps by snagging them with the rippers. I was pretty brutal on it and managed to bend one sideways, but never broke anything.

Just my experience, but I think I would check with the dealer/manufacture.