Box Scraper Help me size Box Blade

   / Help me size Box Blade #1  

kingtom

New member
Joined
Aug 19, 2012
Messages
2
Location
Rockton, IL
Tractor
John Deere 855
I have lurked in the shadows here for a while to get some knowledge of what I am buying.

I just bought a '89 John Deere 855 from the college I work for. It is 2wd and has a 72" belly mower. It has really low hours on it as they hardly used it. It is in great shape and has all the maintenance records. It was always kept inside.

I am trying to size a box blade for my driveway (will be about 800 ft) at my new property and also to level some ground out. According to the specs on the 855 it is 51.3" wide. I am trying to decide on the 48" box blade or the 60" box blade. Any experiences or recommendations?

I am also looking at a rear 3pt "dirt scoop" for a poor mans FEL. Really all I want it for is to move around small amounts of dirt/gravel and I don't want to move the stuff by hand. Do I want the 30" or the 24" scoop?
 
   / Help me size Box Blade #2  
first of all... welcome- you aren't too far from me. It sounds like you have the same problem I have- 2wd and probably turf tires. I have more hp and weight than you and was looking at the 6ft box blade and was advised a while ago by everything attachments that I should really get ag tires and probably fill them to be effective with it. So I am going to wait until I can buy the tires and blade at the same time.

I don't have any first hand experience but from all that I have read you would be better off with the 60" to cover your tracks but may not be able to pull it well. Maybe you can just be a little less agressive with it, so in that case you would be better off with the 60" as well. Either way I would recommend not going smaller than your tractor. Maybe look for a 54" blade- I know I have seen them somewhere.

Hopefully someone else will chime in here as well. I will also add that maybe a box blade is not the best tool for a gravel driveway. If that is the only thing you will use it for you should look at something more purpose-built. I too want a box blade but want it for other tasks as well.
 
   / Help me size Box Blade #3  
Get the 5ft! I think you have enough HP and weight for it, especially if it has ag tires. Having a belly mower on it though, I suspect it may have turf tires. Even so, if it does it shuold pull a 5ft BB good, you will just have to learn its limitations. As for the scoop, I would get the 30".
 
   / Help me size Box Blade #4  
Here's the TractorData page for that model: TractorData.com John Deere 855 tractor information
That's a 24hp engine and 785# capacity, cat 1 hitch.
I'm not so sure that the smaller attachments might be better suited to the tractor. But, I'm just guessing. Never been on one, nor do I have anything that small.
 
   / Help me size Box Blade #5  
The box blade should cover your tracks. In your case, that sounds like a 60 incher. Buy the heaviest you can find and afford. Weight matters a great deal with a box blade. If it's the right width, it really can't be too heavy, as long as it within the capacity of your 3PT. Most of the small BBs at the dealers are too light. They stock them so that they can offer the lowest cost package deals.

Nose out local manufacturers. Box blades are simple to make and expensive to ship, so local builders have a competitive edge over the national brands. Talk to them about medium or heavy duty models and note the difference from their light duty models. Thicker metal is the best clue. Make sure they actually make both light duty and heavier units. Some outfits make lightweight junk and label it heavy duty. Don't fall for it.

You may still have to buy from a dealer, but you will then know what to look for. Try and find a farm equipment and implement dealer that doesn't sell new tractors. They usually have the best prices.

Good luck.

Misfire
 
   / Help me size Box Blade #6  
I think the 60" will definitely be the best size for you. We have a new line of Xtreme duty compact box blades made just for tractors like yours. They have all of the same great features you'll find on our larger models such as clevis style pins for your lift arms, a solid welded A-frame hitch, replaceable/reversible cutting edges and reinforced side walls where the most wear occurs. You'll find that model here on our website. It will stack up to any compact high end cutter on the market. I hope that helps.
 
   / Help me size Box Blade
  • Thread Starter
#7  
So how would this one from Northen Tool compare to the Xtreme duty box blade, NorTrac 3-Pt. Box Scraper — 5Ft.L | Category 1 Blades Scrapers| Northern Tool + Equipment. The northerntool one weighs more (truck weight of 444lbs) and costs less($549). I was planning on picking it up at their store, so shipping is not an issue (as it is free). I know that there are better brands out there, but I am trying to keep this in budget. :D

I think I decieded that the 60" will be the right one, but now I must find the best one.
 
   / Help me size Box Blade #8  
if you are ordering from northern, pay attention if you are planning on picking it up. You may even want to call and make sure that is the best choice. I think a lot of king kutter (not sure about nortrac) attachments are drop ship from manufacturer and probably would not be advantageous to pick up in store as you may end up paying some sort of freight anyway.

One other thing to consider is that the nortrac is more than likely made in china, whereas the EA blades are made here (most of them anyway). This is a consideration that I take quite seriously, especially if the difference in price is negligible.
 
   / Help me size Box Blade #9  
That Chinese Northern Tool model only has 3/16" end plates. Too thin. I wouldn't touch it. That shipping weight includes the crate, so it is misleading, and there is no way to know if the quoted shipping weight is accurate.

The other unit is too light and too expensive in my opinion. They offer free shipping, so you would be paying for something you probably don't need. Check with local implement dealers in your area. I think you can find a better deal.
 
   / Help me size Box Blade #10  
Your Box Blade should always measure to the out side of your tires two reasons to cover your tracts and the and the main reason you can grade right next to your house or building and wont leave that one to two feet of area to be don by hand .
NOw for buying a blade i fill that the best blade that really get the production done is the Gill Box blade we used them all the time they get the work done.
Now for traction for your tractor they sale a unit that you and place on your valve stem to ad water to your tire that will you Good traction do not forget to let the air out of the tire before you aid the water
 
 
 
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