Everything attachments box blades

   / Everything attachments box blades #1  

RJJR

Gold Member
Joined
May 17, 2011
Messages
313
Location
NC
Tractor
2011 Kioti DK45 HST
EA,
I would like some feedback on two of your models. I have a Kioti DK45 hp and will be cutting down some virgin soil with roots and rocks. I see you have the 72" United on sale for $745 which weighs just over 500 lbs. I'm comparing it to your own X-treme duty 72" blade for utility tractors at $840 but weighs about 30 lbs less. Can you give me an idea of which would stand up better? I can't see the side plate dimensions on the United. What are they? I do see it's only 1/4 inch on the X-treme blade.


Any of you guys have the X-treme blade that can speak to its durability?


Thanks
 
   / Everything attachments box blades #2  
No idea about the EA products, but I bought a 60" box blade for my CK30 that weighs 400-450 if I remember correctly. The CK30's gone, but I kept the box blade and use it on my DK45. It's far too light, I'll look for something 800+ lbs when I buy again. Yes, there are some features I'd look for, but when you're looking at basically a metal box, the weight will indicate the gauge of steel used and how much of it there is.
 
   / Everything attachments box blades #3  
The United is a good box blade that ETA has sold for years, and we have our remaining inventory marked down to sell. It is true that weight is important, but we think that the design and quality is equally as important.
The design of our products and the materials we use set our box blades(and other products) apart from United and other manufacturer's attachments.
Here are some differences:

Both box blades have 1/4" side plates. We weld an additional 1/4" piece on the leading edge, where the most wear occurs. This doesn't add much to the weight, but greatly increases the lifetime of our box blades.
IMG_20130621_083139_184.jpg

We have a more durable attachment point for the ripper shanks.
ETA:
IMG_20130621_083013_445.jpg

United:
IMG_20130621_083327_114.jpg

We use a longer, heavier 4 hole ripper shank vs. the 3 hole on the United:
IMG_20130621_083819_565.jpg

We add a bend to the back moldboard that helps the sod/dirt roll off and improves results/useability:
IMG_20130621_083221_986.jpg

We also use a 4" square cross tube. They weld together 2 pieces of angle that results in a 4x6 tube. Their design results in a heavier tube but not necessarily a stronger tube.
Our box blades feature high quality US made cutting edges. I'm not really sure what United and other Mfgs use, but I doubt they're US made because of the additional cost involved.
All of our components are cut with a laser which results in smooth edges that fit together perfectly. The components have tabs so our welders can fit them together like a tinker toy with little room for error.
We use a high quality, automotive grade paint that looks good and should stay that way for years.

There are other differences, but those were the main points that stood out. This was just a quick comparison that I made by walking outside and looking at both blades. I think it shows that weight is not the only thing to look at when shopping for a box blade.
Hopefully it will help.
Travis
(Comparison of the United 672DHD and ETA Xtreme Duty Utility Box Blade)
 
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   / Everything attachments box blades #4  
Y'a, I agree, weight is not everything and everything Travis just said are great features to look for. Unfortunately, all the features in the world, as nice as they are, won't stop your box blade from skipping along the top of your material instead of being able to take a nice clean bite out of it, only weight will. My box blade is noticeably too light and I have no experience with a really heavy one, but from the multiple threads here on TBN on the subject, everybody seems to say a heavy box blade makes all the difference in the world.

There's no doubt the EA box blade is much better when comparing the two. I'd just think about a heavy duty version that weighed in around 800 lbs.
 
   / Everything attachments box blades #5  
Adjusting your toplink can have a huge effect on the results. A box blade is much more aggressive when the front is angled down allowing the ripper shanks and front cutting edge to cut rather than skipping along.
 
   / Everything attachments box blades #6  
Y'a, I agree, weight is not everything and everything Travis just said are great features to look for. Unfortunately, all the features in the world, as nice as they are, won't stop your box blade from skipping along the top of your material instead of being able to take a nice clean bite out of it, only weight will. My box blade is noticeably too light and I have no experience with a really heavy one, but from the multiple threads here on TBN on the subject, everybody seems to say a heavy box blade makes all the difference in the world.

There's no doubt the EA box blade is much better when comparing the two. I'd just think about a heavy duty version that weighed in around 800 lbs.

I agree, EA's BB is a good design, if they would just offer that unit design so that it weighed in at about 150lbs per foot width, then you could really put it to work.

No, the heavier units are not for everyone, but it would be nice if the option was there, especially with that design. :cool:
 
   / Everything attachments box blades
  • Thread Starter
#7  
kiotiken said:
No idea about the EA products, but I bought a 60" box blade for my CK30 that weighs 400-450 if I remember correctly. The CK30's gone, but I kept the box blade and use it on my DK45. It's far too light, I'll look for something 800+ lbs when I buy again. Yes, there are some features I'd look for, but when you're looking at basically a metal box, the weight will indicate the gauge of steel used and how much of it there is.

Ordered the EA today. May regret the lack of weight but will report back here on the results either way? Thanks
 
   / Everything attachments box blades #8  
Let us know what you think. It's obviously a much better constructed BB, hopefully it works well for you.
 
   / Everything attachments box blades #9  
Sorry to be late to this, but I would highly suggest going to the 78" for your tractor. I have their heaviest 78" BB and wouldn't want it shorter.
 
   / Everything attachments box blades #10  
Adjusting your toplink can have a huge effect on the results. A box blade is much more aggressive when the front is angled down allowing the ripper shanks and front cutting edge to cut rather than skipping along.

In my 16 months experience pulling a 630 pound Rollover Box Blade behind my Kubota B3300SU/33-hp/1,900 pounds I agree with Travis at ETA.

I have about ten implements which mount on the 3-Pt hitch. It has taken me longer to master the ROBB than any of my other implements. Implement weight is CERTAINLY important but so is adjusting the top link to the optimum length for the blade to perform best for the particular task you want the box blade to perform; with cutting and smoothing requiring different top link lengths.
 
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