Box blade--which is "best"

[TractorLegend]

Box blade--which is \"best\"

I wanna get a box blade for driveway maintenance at my rec property. I have a KiotiCK30HST. I was thinking 72 in so its a little wider than wheels.
Do any of em tilt some for corners, crown etc.
Is aTNT necessary for the 1-2 times a year Id use it.
Straightening 5/8 minus gravel---anything work better for the cost---not alot of serious earth ripping anticipated---
What brands are not el cheepo quality
Kioti?
Woods?
Etc?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: Box blade--which is \"best\"

I know of no box blade that tilts, however your tractor should have a side link that allows for tilt.

Look at this thread: Box Blade photos

 

[Dargo]

Re: Box blade--which is \"best\"

I don't know how heavy built of a box blade you are considering, but I don't think your tractor will handle a heavy duty 72" box blade. I have a really heavy duty 84" box blade. When I had smaller tractors, I had it cut down to a 72" box blade. Even the JD 4600 I had struggled to handle it, and I think the JD 4600 is over 40hp. At 72" my box blade weighed just over 800 pounds. Now, back at 84", it weighed well over 900 pounds without any of the scarifier teeth in and the blade on the back side (for pushing in reverse) hadn't been delivered or installed on it. I'd guess that my 84" box blade is probably close to 1100 pounds now.

You may want to look at the weights of the box blades you are considering. Again, I don't know for sure the HP on the 4X4 JD 4600, but the over 800 pound 72" was all it wanted. But, of course, your mileage may vary. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the tractor I have now is the only one I've ever had with T&T. Ohmygosh! Does it ever make a huge difference in productivity with both a rear box blade and a regular rear blade! You can probably handle a heavier box blade if you have T&T because you can easily adjust it properly. Good luck!

 

[chriswheeler]

Re: Box blade--which is \"best\"

Our box on the L35 Kubota we have at work has power tilt as well as power on the rippers. If my memory serves me, that was a $4000 box scraper with those options though, real pricey. I think for a crush rock drive I do far better with my landscape rake than the box would ever do, might want to consider it. Think a landscape rake is lighter by far and cheeper to start with. The rake brings the rock back to the top and also leaves a smooth finish while filling in holes. You can angle the rake or tilt it with the 3 point leveling setup if you need to. After trying both, I'm gona stick with the rake. I have about 450 feet of flat drive with a bunch surrounding the house and shops. Almost no load on the tractor. Good luck,
Chris

 

[SnowRidge]

Re: Box blade--which is \"best\"

Buy the narrowest box blade that will cover your tracks plus a couple of inches extra. If that turns out to be 72 incher, so be it. Make sure the blade you are getting is within your 3ph capacity, but weight is good in a box blade, so don't get a lightweight job if your tractor can handle something a little heavier. You are probably looking at a decent standard duty model if you do get a 72 inch model.

Box blades are heavy and bulky, so the shipping to the dealer is a big part of the cost. Look for a brand that no one ever heard of that is built locally, then look for an independent implement dealer if such a thing exists in your neck of the woods, or if you can, buy it directly from the manufacturer. You could save quite a bit that way.

Don't buy a real lightweight model. Look for reasonably thick steel and decent welds. Measure the end plate thickness for comparison purposes. If in doubt, look at the name brands to see how they should be built.

 

[SonnieP]

Re: Box blade--which is \"best\"

I have a 1270' driveway and I've been tractor/boxblade shopping. I've talked to... well I've lost count on how many dealers... but most of them tell me I don't need a boxblade for leveling the driveway but rather a Duragrader, which is a name brand. Some other brands are made by Eagle and Grademaster, and I think there are more. They are similar to a boxblade but they basically have the 2 sides with 2 angled blades in the middle. Maybe this is something like the rake mentioned above but I've not heard any of the dealers call what they were referencing to me a rake, however it sounds like the same thing. According to them it will fill in pot holes nicely and leave a really smooth finish with rock or gravel. I believe Duragrader has a pic of theirs on their website. You'll have to do a search for it. Price is reasonble.