Roll-over box blades

[jmc]

Hi all,

Getting serious about a new box blade and the roll-over style looks interesting. It appears to have the following advantages:

1) Single cutting edge makes top link adjustment less critical since on a double fixed blade box, the top link controls which blade cuts and which blade "smears". (It appears the box blades with the hinged rear blade try to address this and I would appreciate comments on how well this works too)

2) Single blade eliminates dead volume between double fixed blades that pack with mud and keep both blades from penetrating properly. (does the hinged rear blade help here?)

3) "Scarfier only" position maximizes full depth penetration without the box interferring.

Disadvantages seem to be high cost and needing to index the implement when changing between forward and reverse.

Talked to the JD/Landpride dealer today and the salesman didn't know such a product existed. (Here we go again...) Wondered if the board could answer some questions:

Do these roll-over blades work well?

Can you index them from the seat with a rope or do you need the hydraulic option?

Any brands to look at besides Woods and Landpride?

How does $1265 setup w/frt sound for a RO2560 Landpride 60 inch?

Would a hinged backblade setup do most of this at a lower price?

Thanks,

John

 

[JackIL]

John,

I have had a Woods 60 inch rollover in the past and really liked it a lot. It has a lever you can reach from the seat to operate the latch. I found it necessary to raise the implement to reach the lever, but it was no problem. Once the latch is released you lower the scraper to the ground and slowly drive forward or in revese to rotate the blade to the proper position.

I think one of the big advantages of the rollover design is that the weight is much heavier than a typical fixed blade design of the same width. Weight is a major factor in making a box blade work well. I strongly recommend that you use a parking stand with it--either get it as an accessory or fabricate one yourself.

I am not familiar with any rollover that uses hydraulics, but they may be available.

The reverse position of the blade is used for backfilling. I used it the least of the 3 positions, but it does work well when you need to backfill.

The price you were quoted seems right in the ballpark for a 60 inch rollover.

JackIL

 

[SanMar]

By brother has a rollover blade. It is a very old one. Was my grandfathers before. I really like the blade but never saw another one. He has even had people that have seen it wonder where he got it and offered to buy it. Then e few weeks ago I also found Woods has them new. I hadn’t found the price though till you listed it. There is a great difference between the rollover and a good fixed box. With that much price difference I don’t know that I personally would do it now. But then I’m cheap and for the cost of a good quality fixed box blade, it would do 90% of what I would want it to do.

My thoughts.
Mark

 

[jmc]

Mark and Jack,

Thanks for your replies. I think the hydraulic option just has a cylinder to push the same lever you would push manually. Sounds like the roll-overs work well but I can't decide if its worth the extra money. Maybe a reasonable compromise would be the hinged rear blade style of box blade.

John

 

[LLove]

I prefer the "Roll-Over" box when I'll be using more than just one function. Don't have to get off the tractor to fold down the rear blade, or drop the rippers. If for example, while going in a forward motion I hit a hard spot, I trip the release, roll the "Carriage" to the rippers, loosen the area, trip the release, back up to engage the Front blade, and continue... But since mine is a smallish unit made by Gannon, the ripper teeth don't match the depth of those on my other box scraper,non roll-over style. The Gannon has more rippers however, 8 vs 4.
I tied a rope onto the release lever, couldn't reach it even with the unit up, from the seat. I like the idea of the Hydralic release option........just might do that to mine. Thanks. Lloyd