Box Scraper Sizing a box blade for my JD2040?

[dntfxr]

Just an update, I took the broke ripper back to the dealer and he was surprised to see it broke. He swapped me a brand new one no questions asked. That's good business. He said the rep was coming tomorrow and would def want it to take with him back to HQ. I have to give a plug to P&M hardware in West Monroe, they are great to deal with too.
Now back to digging!

 

[dntfxr]

Well I broke 2 more. I'm really hoping there are updated parts, it kinda seems like a poor design... Either that or it is designed to break really easily. I'm off to my dealer to see what he recommends.

 

[new jersey mike]

I see it is a modern ag product attachment, maybe they do not build to a standard as other attachment Mfg's.

It makes me think of the titanic and the problem with the metal and how it was mixed. I guess they can be cutting corners and using a cheap metal mix?

I bought a NH BB 6ft last year but have not had a chance to use it yet. I plan on starting this spring and the projects will range from leveling around a pond, filling an old buried barn that is now collapsing and then larger regrading of old log skids. I know I will have to take it slow on the roads because of the shale and amount of rock in the ground. I suspect I will break a tip(s) but hopefully not the whole scarifier.

 

[Haoleguy]

dntfxr - Very surprised that you're able to break the tines. When my Gannon BB hits something it either rips what it hit or stops me dead in my tracks on a JD5325. How fast are you going when you hit these roots? BTW that's a nice looking box blade.....Gary

 

[MtnViewRanch]

dntfxr - Very surprised that you're able to break the tines. When my Gannon BB hits something it either rips what it hit or stops me dead in my tracks on a JD5325. How fast are you going when you hit these roots? BTW that's a nice looking box blade.....Gary

Your Gannon has forged steel shanks, his are probably cast. HUGE difference in price. There is a good reason why a Gannon cost so much. The shanks and teeth alone cost as much as some entire box blades.

 

[the6shooter]

I am very supprised that the rippers broke like that, modern makes one of the best Boxblades, I also have modern products and never had that problem. this could be a production problem with their source, for steel. I have owned others but I am all modern ag. now...
david

 

[dntfxr]

Yeah I am really surprised too. They are around 3/4" thick and around 3" wide. They arent even set in the lowest position when they break. I mostly use 3rd or 4th gear, not real fast. I noticed on their website that there are replacement rippers with the notches on the back edge of the ripper instead of the front. That seems like an improvement because they all break right in the notch, at least then it would be on the back edge instead of the front. I noticed some replacements are designated "HT", heat treated I bet. Anyway I emailed Modern and they were very quick with a response but he said to contact my dealer. So I'll be bugging them again Monday. At this point if I could just pay for upgraded parts I'd do it just to avoid downtime. I'm down to 4 rippers an the performance is reduced for sure. I just had my grade shot on my lot and I've got around another 4 feet of dirt to add on the pad! Lots more pulls!

To be fair there are some small chunks left in the ground but I'm not raw dogging it by any means. As thick as the steel is on these things surprisingly the tractor barely lugs before they let go.

 

[dntfxr]

I did find some replacements if all else fails. I'm not sure if they will be much better quality though?BOX BLADE SHANK 17.52'' LONG, 3 SLOT - Agri Supply

 

[jshwhite]

dntfxr - When my Gannon BB hits something it either rips what it hit or stops me dead in my tracks on a JD5325.

Yep, I've almost been thrown out of the seat a few times when they hit something that wouldn't move. Seems like I can break anything except the rippers. I am really surprised they broke. Let us know how it works out.

 

[dntfxr]

Just an update guys. My dealer is great, I brought the two broke ones in and he replaced them again, no problem. He said we'll keep replacing them as long as they keep breaking. In my spare time I forge knives, and I think it's a heat treat issue from looking at the open grain. I think they were hardened but not tempered. I considered tempering them in my oven for a long soak, to see if they'd at least bend before they break, but I'll just let Modern sort that out... The box blade itself is much heavier duty than most on the market, so I'm thinking they probably just got a bad batch of outsourced shanks.

Worst case scenario, I'll forge new ones from 5160 and then know what I've got! ; )