Box Blade suggestions?

   / Box Blade suggestions? #1  

jong

New member
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
6
Location
Illinois, USA
Tractor
L3430HSTC
I dug up the yard and now the wife wants it put back! I am looking for a strong box blade to cut and level the terrain, and will also use on a long rock driveway. There are so many brands I'm not sure where to begin looking, or what to look for when comparing. This will be going on a new Kubota L3430 HSTC which has the Kubota FEL, skid steer attachment and HD bucket. Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
   / Box Blade suggestions? #2  
GET A HEAVY ONE!! or add weight later.
I have a 6' Bush Hog box blade that is listed at 550#.
After using it a while I realized I needed more weight.
I bought (6) 44# suitcase weights of ebay and found (2) 75#
dumbbells.
After adding the 414# to my box blade, the difference is like night and day.
The blade cuts & digs so much better than before and doesn't bounce around nearly as much.
The extra weight also increases traction, and is a better counter weight for FEL use.
As far as brand goes, many TBN-ers seem to like MidWest for bang/buck ratio.
The following link has lots of info on various brands.
Good Luck!
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Board/implement/Number/667861/page/0/view//sb/5/o/all/fpart/1/vc/1
 
   / Box Blade suggestions? #3  
You may want to look into a drag type , they are really nice for leveling.
 
   / Box Blade suggestions? #4  
I don't know what type of material you will encounter, but I knew from the start that I had a lot of substantial roots near the surface. As other people will tell you, weight is important but when hitting stubborn objects (roots, stumps, rocks, etc) it's even more important that the box blade have a stout construction. I bought my blade with 3/8" steel side panels that will stop the tractor before they will bend. I learned in this forum that a bent BB has no more value.

My tractor is an L3130HST that I run in low range on the first pass with the rippers down and the top link as short as I can turn it. When encountering an object stubborn enough to spin the tractor's wheels, I keep power to the wheels and gradually raise the three point hitch. Usually a 4" root or a 6" stump will pop to the surface. The blade is 6' wide to ensure coverage of the full tractor width, and I have run the box full of dirt even in the medium range. Low range is used with the rippers to keep my speed down more than to get more power to the ground.

Good luck!
 
   / Box Blade suggestions?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Thanks to all for your input on the box blade! I have learned to get one the width of my tires, heavy as possible and constructed of thicker material. Now for the million dollar question, which brands should I be comparing? Right now I am leaning towards the Woods, however I looked at a Wallace the other day and it looked sturdy as well. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
   / Box Blade suggestions? #6  
Landpride and Woods have some very heavy duty stuff.
The Woods Gill series are super tough, and very heavy!
 
   / Box Blade suggestions? #7  
I have a 60" Landpride on my 30 HP Montana and it is one rugged attachment.
 
   / Box Blade suggestions? #9  
jong, another aspect which has not been addressed is the number of remotes you have available. I have one, so that operates the angle of the box blade side to side. Very handy for changing the grade to be different from the tires, without having to get off your tractor. My neighbor has 2 remotes, so he is able to raise or lower the rippers hydraulically. Good luck. Jim.
 
   / Box Blade suggestions? #10  
For a commercial grade box scraper look into either Gannon (now owned by Woods I believe) or Gearmore. I have a tractor business and use/own a Kubota 3830 and Case 600. The Gannon is the best on the market for heavy duty use. I have three way (top/tilt/rippers) hydraulics on the three point as well. Necessary in my business but pricey if only for home use.
Good luck.
 
 
 
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