BB or bulldozer?

[Milton Burro]

I've been shopping around for a BB and have noticed several differences in them. They way they attach, how close the outer rippers are to the ends of the box, the curved plate front and rear at the bottom of the box, along with the thickness of the steel are all considerations of mine. I have rocky soil here plus the fact that there is a large tree where I need to grade, I am wondering if I would be just spinning my wheels trying to use one on my 3400 Kubota. I need to pull the soil away from the house so water drains away instead of to the foundation. Re-level the entire yard basically.

 

[Army grunt]

The box blade will do fine. Just get one that clears the tires. an has ripper teeth.They will losen the soil.You can move a lot of dirt with a box blade.
An its fun.
Army Grunt

 

[TripleR]

Like ArmyGrunt says, you can move a lot of dirt with a BB. My dad used his Ford 600 and BB to prepare home sites. We use them on 25-95 HP machines.

 

[Milton Burro]

Is one BB as good as the other, or am I trying to pick the fly poop out of pepper?

 

[wedge40]

Is one BB as good as the other, or am I trying to pick the fly poop out of pepper?

Amount you're willing to spend will be the limiting factor. But then again it always is.
Look at how it's constructed. Will the scarifiers rip out over time because of cheap construction. Get one that is wider then your tractor, then the heavier the better. If it's a one time use thing you might see about renting, but off all the attachments the box blade is one of the most versatile.

Wedge

 

[MarkV]

Weight is your friend when it comes to Box Blades. Get the heaviest one you can afford.

MarkV

 

[TripleR]

Is one BB as good as the other, or am I trying to pick the fly poop out of pepper?

Not all are created equal, but not all of us need the same type of equipment. I would like to have one with hydraulic controlled scarifiers with a little thicker metal and hinged back plate, but what I have works very well for me.

As mentioned, look at construction first. Compare the "off brands" to the name brands and you may be surprised to find there may not be much difference in the light to medium duty models.

Look at your tractor and your uses. If I get one for our M8540, it will be a heavier duty one with more bells and whistle than the one on our smaller tractors.

As mentioned, rent one if you can to get a better idea of what you really need.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Is one BB as good as the other, or am I trying to pick the fly poop out of pepper?

No, as others have said, all box blades are not created equal. There is a good reason that one may cost $600 and another $3000.

 

[Milton Burro]

Thanks for the input. I found a locally made BB for a good price. In practicing using it, I snagged something that stopped the tractor dead in it's tracks. All four wheels digging holes. Nothing broke. I guess that's a good sign. Now I want a hydraulic top link.

 

[jimmysisson]

MB - don't know if your pins fit your lift arms, but they're too small for the bb holes, which will get egged out. If they fit your arms, maybe you need Cat. 2 bushings for the box blade? Something for a snug fit would improve the life expectancy. The thing looks rugged enough - nice to find something locally made.
Jim

 

[/pine]

...plus the fact that there is a large tree where I need to grade...

Be aware...roots (especially large ones) will usually do one of two things when hit by a box blade...

...if the scarifiers are down a large root will just stop the tractor cold....

...if you are just using the blade a root will just lift up the box and bounce back down leaving a pile of whatever had accumulated in the box...

Be prepared to remove any roots to a depth reqired for the grade job prior to avoid frustration...

 

[miramadar]

Weight is your friend when it comes to Box Blades. Get the heaviest one you can afford.

MarkV

A lot of people will add extra weight to their box blades in the form of concrete or angle steel. I've got a 4.5" ft. piece of 4" x 12" angle steel that I lay on the top/rear of the box blade for added weight. Works well.

 

[Milton Burro]

MB - don't know if your pins fit your lift arms, but they're too small for the bb holes, which will get egged out. If they fit your arms, maybe you need Cat. 2 bushings for the box blade? Something for a snug fit would improve the life expectancy.
Jim

Thanks. What about the fit of the ripper arms in the slots? They are sloppy too.

 

[jimmysisson]

You need a little room there to get them out when caked with mud, etc. The 3-pt. pins should be reasonably snug in the arms and the blade.
Jim

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for the input. I found a locally made BB for a good price. In practicing using it, I snagged something that stopped the tractor dead in it's tracks. All four wheels digging holes. Nothing broke. I guess that's a good sign. Now I want a hydraulic top link.

You simply can't beat a hydraulic top-link for BB work, well unless you go TnT.

 

[Ford tractor]

Is one BB as good as the other, or am I trying to pick the fly poop out of pepper?

Is a 98 pound weakling as good as Charles Atlas ?

If you have rocky ground, you pretty easily break the scarifiers and bend the frame and blade of the inexpensive units. If this is your only job, you might not care. I try to only buy once and buy quality so it will last until after I'm gone.

But you do have to balance $$ vs need. A good BB will cost more than paying a dozer for the job and spreading black dirt.

 

[Scrambler82]

If your need is limited as mine to a small BB, check out the Everything Attachments BB.
The one they sell is HD and HD more than most and prices right.

When I hook up on roots the tractor does come to a stop and nothing is bent or broken.

Before buying check them out, you will find their products HD.

 

[charleyfarmall]

Have you ever driven a bulldozer? Do you have the money for one? It's an easy choice: BULLDOZER - They are so much fun...oh, but they do need maintenance, and they do cost a lot. Your wife will never approve of one either - until she drives it

 

[magicheater]

No, as others have said, all box blades are not created equal. There is a good reason that one may cost $600 and another $3000.

I suppose this could be applied to a lot of attachments!

 

[JD955SC]

Even if you did get/rent/hire a dozer...you are still going to want a box blade for other work anyway...ours stays on the tractor during the winter (good for trail/yard maintaince and good weight during logging).

We've got an old Land Pride monster of a box blade...like it a lot...brought it (very) used from the dealership when we brought our tractor...very happy with it, good match to our tractor...