Box Scraper size??

   / Box Scraper size?? #1  

Bob_S

Bronze Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2002
Messages
79
Location
Central Ma
Tractor
JD 4310 hydro, 4wd
Can anyone suggest which size (60" or 65") box scraper to purchase for my just slightly less than 5 foot tractor width. I am surprised that these two sizes are both available being only 5 inches apart. I am thinking that subtle differences are somehow necessary or at least desirable so I don't want to make the wrong decision. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Thanks for any thoughts.
 
   / Box Scraper size?? #2  
I suggest that you get one that is slightly wider than your loader bucket, or rear tires, whichever is wider.

If you have a high HP/weight tractor maybe going even wider might work fine. If you don't do heavy digging with the box blade maybe going wider will be fine.

My experience tells me that I would not want a box blade that was narrower than my loader bucket, because there have been times when I scraped with the box, and then followed it with the loader bucket while scraping more with the box at the same time.

In MY mind, a good match is keeping the loader bucket and box blade both wider than the tractor tires. How much wider depends on the tractor and how much power it has.

Edit: I also think I would want the box to be equal or wider in width to the loader bucket. That way the loader could run down a slot cut by the box blade...a box blade narrower than the loader would not be as useful in my opinion. I can't say experience, since I have a 54" loader bucket and a 60" box blade...
 
   / Box Scraper size?? #3  
If your tractor is 60" wide, I'd go with a 72" box. The reason being is that only 5" is very close for when you need to get up close to building, or say, a driveway and remove dirt.

I made the mistake of buying a box that was just about the same width as my rear tires. Now, when I need to go parallel to a building, I have to swing the tractor so that the box goes up near the building, and do that several times in order to remove the soil. With a 72" box, you'd have enough sticking out on each side that you could easily get your tractor and box moving along whatever stucture you're working with.

I would imagine that if your tractor is 5 feet wide, it will easily handle a 6' box. With anything smaller, I'm not sure you would have a comfortable clearance of the tractor in a situation such as I describe.
John
 
 
 
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