GaryBDavis
Gold Member
I owned a cheap 5’ box blade for my first tractor (JD770) but never used it much. Now, I have a JD5420 (65 PTO HP) and need either a rear blade or a box blade. I need to do some basic leveling, filling in some trenches for the electrical/water lines, and for putting in and maintaining a gravel driveway.
I’m leaning towards a heavy duty rear blade with hydraulic adjustments. This would be one of the following:
Rhino 950, 8’ at 942lbs
Rhino 1540, 8’ at 1409lbs
Bison NVHL 240, 8’ at 1490lbs
Things I like about the rear blade decision:
Hydraulic adjustments allow me more flexibility to create crowns, ditches, etc.
I can fill trenches more easily than with a box blade.
Things that worry me about the rear blade decision:
Everyone seems to prefer box blades.
Box blades come with rippers.
I wouldn’t be considering a rear blade if I couldn’t get one that weighs 1000 to 1500 lbs. I know enough to know that I need the weight to be able to get it to cut into the hard ground.
I don’t mind dropping $3k on a rear blade if it will do everything I need it to. The magical question is, “Will a heavy rear blade do everything a box blade will?”
As for brands, anyone have any comments on Bison over Rhino? Any other brand I should be looking at?
Thanks
I’m leaning towards a heavy duty rear blade with hydraulic adjustments. This would be one of the following:
Rhino 950, 8’ at 942lbs
Rhino 1540, 8’ at 1409lbs
Bison NVHL 240, 8’ at 1490lbs
Things I like about the rear blade decision:
Hydraulic adjustments allow me more flexibility to create crowns, ditches, etc.
I can fill trenches more easily than with a box blade.
Things that worry me about the rear blade decision:
Everyone seems to prefer box blades.
Box blades come with rippers.
I wouldn’t be considering a rear blade if I couldn’t get one that weighs 1000 to 1500 lbs. I know enough to know that I need the weight to be able to get it to cut into the hard ground.
I don’t mind dropping $3k on a rear blade if it will do everything I need it to. The magical question is, “Will a heavy rear blade do everything a box blade will?”
As for brands, anyone have any comments on Bison over Rhino? Any other brand I should be looking at?
Thanks