Box Scraper Help me size Box Blade

[kingtom]

I have lurked in the shadows here for a while to get some knowledge of what I am buying.

I just bought a '89 John Deere 855 from the college I work for. It is 2wd and has a 72" belly mower. It has really low hours on it as they hardly used it. It is in great shape and has all the maintenance records. It was always kept inside.

I am trying to size a box blade for my driveway (will be about 800 ft) at my new property and also to level some ground out. According to the specs on the 855 it is 51.3" wide. I am trying to decide on the 48" box blade or the 60" box blade. Any experiences or recommendations?

I am also looking at a rear 3pt "dirt scoop" for a poor mans FEL. Really all I want it for is to move around small amounts of dirt/gravel and I don't want to move the stuff by hand. Do I want the 30" or the 24" scoop?

 

[mikehaugen]

first of all... welcome- you aren't too far from me. It sounds like you have the same problem I have- 2wd and probably turf tires. I have more hp and weight than you and was looking at the 6ft box blade and was advised a while ago by everything attachments that I should really get ag tires and probably fill them to be effective with it. So I am going to wait until I can buy the tires and blade at the same time.

I don't have any first hand experience but from all that I have read you would be better off with the 60" to cover your tracks but may not be able to pull it well. Maybe you can just be a little less agressive with it, so in that case you would be better off with the 60" as well. Either way I would recommend not going smaller than your tractor. Maybe look for a 54" blade- I know I have seen them somewhere.

Hopefully someone else will chime in here as well. I will also add that maybe a box blade is not the best tool for a gravel driveway. If that is the only thing you will use it for you should look at something more purpose-built. I too want a box blade but want it for other tasks as well.

 

[kebo]

Get the 5ft! I think you have enough HP and weight for it, especially if it has ag tires. Having a belly mower on it though, I suspect it may have turf tires. Even so, if it does it shuold pull a 5ft BB good, you will just have to learn its limitations. As for the scoop, I would get the 30".

 

[Bigfoot62]

Here's the TractorData page for that model: TractorData.com John Deere 855 tractor information
That's a 24hp engine and 785# capacity, cat 1 hitch.
I'm not so sure that the smaller attachments might be better suited to the tractor. But, I'm just guessing. Never been on one, nor do I have anything that small.

 

[Misfire]

The box blade should cover your tracks. In your case, that sounds like a 60 incher. Buy the heaviest you can find and afford. Weight matters a great deal with a box blade. If it's the right width, it really can't be too heavy, as long as it within the capacity of your 3PT. Most of the small BBs at the dealers are too light. They stock them so that they can offer the lowest cost package deals.

Nose out local manufacturers. Box blades are simple to make and expensive to ship, so local builders have a competitive edge over the national brands. Talk to them about medium or heavy duty models and note the difference from their light duty models. Thicker metal is the best clue. Make sure they actually make both light duty and heavier units. Some outfits make lightweight junk and label it heavy duty. Don't fall for it.

You may still have to buy from a dealer, but you will then know what to look for. Try and find a farm equipment and implement dealer that doesn't sell new tractors. They usually have the best prices.

Good luck.

Misfire

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I think the 60" will definitely be the best size for you. We have a new line of Xtreme duty compact box blades made just for tractors like yours. They have all of the same great features you'll find on our larger models such as clevis style pins for your lift arms, a solid welded A-frame hitch, replaceable/reversible cutting edges and reinforced side walls where the most wear occurs. You'll find that model here on our website. It will stack up to any compact high end cutter on the market. I hope that helps.

 

[kingtom]

So how would this one from Northen Tool compare to the Xtreme duty box blade, NorTrac 3-Pt. Box Scraper — 5Ft.L | Category 1 Blades Scrapers| Northern Tool + Equipment. The northerntool one weighs more (truck weight of 444lbs) and costs less($549). I was planning on picking it up at their store, so shipping is not an issue (as it is free). I know that there are better brands out there, but I am trying to keep this in budget.

I think I decieded that the 60" will be the right one, but now I must find the best one.

 

[mikehaugen]

if you are ordering from northern, pay attention if you are planning on picking it up. You may even want to call and make sure that is the best choice. I think a lot of king kutter (not sure about nortrac) attachments are drop ship from manufacturer and probably would not be advantageous to pick up in store as you may end up paying some sort of freight anyway.

One other thing to consider is that the nortrac is more than likely made in china, whereas the EA blades are made here (most of them anyway). This is a consideration that I take quite seriously, especially if the difference in price is negligible.

 

[Misfire]

That Chinese Northern Tool model only has 3/16" end plates. Too thin. I wouldn't touch it. That shipping weight includes the crate, so it is misleading, and there is no way to know if the quoted shipping weight is accurate.

The other unit is too light and too expensive in my opinion. They offer free shipping, so you would be paying for something you probably don't need. Check with local implement dealers in your area. I think you can find a better deal.

 

[Beyant Site Clearing]

Your Box Blade should always measure to the out side of your tires two reasons to cover your tracts and the and the main reason you can grade right next to your house or building and wont leave that one to two feet of area to be don by hand .
NOw for buying a blade i fill that the best blade that really get the production done is the Gill Box blade we used them all the time they get the work done.
Now for traction for your tractor they sale a unit that you and place on your valve stem to ad water to your tire that will you Good traction do not forget to let the air out of the tire before you aid the water

 

[spruce Deere]

I would lean toward a 60 inch boxblade for your described applications..

I run a 48 inch on my 790 for maneuvering around in the tight quarters of the tree farm when burying spade holes, filling small washes and removing remaining roots after a tree gets dug. .

My boxblade is a frontier BB2048. Its a heavy, very well built little thing. I would recommend getting as heavy as a 60" box as you can, weight is how a box blade works.

Go heavy duty, and 60" you will get years of service from your investment of a boxblade.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would look for a 54" or 60" used boxblade that is well made. Should be able to find something used for half the price of new.

 

[lutt]

I would go with a 60", as others have said, weight is a good thing. If I remember correctly, those tracters had a weight bar on the front and was offered with factory weights as a option. Might not be a bad thing to scrounge up some front weights if you dont already have them. I have a 48" I use in the woods for road clearing and maintaining them. I am looking for a 60" to do driveways,dirtwork in the yard, and to get close to things. LUTT

 

[jenkinsph]

I would go with a 60", as others have said, weight is a good thing. If I remember correctly, those tracters had a weight bar on the front and was offered with factory weights as a option. Might not be a bad thing to scrounge up some front weights if you dont already have them. I have a 48" I use in the woods for road clearing and maintaining them. I am looking for a 60" to do driveways,dirtwork in the yard, and to get close to things. LUTT

Did you notice this is a 2wd 855?

 

[94BULLITT]

I have a 30" scoop I use on the BX, I don't think I would want a smaller one. I use it instead of having a lawn mower cart for it. You may need some weights for the front when using the box blade or scoop. You may be able to do some light digging with it but it won't be like a FEL but is it better than nothing.

I would look for a 54" or 60" used boxblade that is well made. Should be able to find something used for half the price of new.

I agree.

 

[JD 4520]

Go heavy duty, and 60" you will get years of service from your investment of a boxblade.

Agree with this. My recommended choice.

 

[jenkinsph]

I don't think the OP would have trouble with the boxblade moving dirt with the rippers up or dropped down slightly. I do think dropping the rippers on a five ft boxblade would do a quick job of anchoring the tractor in place. I use a 48" boxblade with my x749 garden tractor and thats all it wants, My 4520 cab with weights is loaded with my 7' boxblade and that is all it wants. Don't think an 855 would handle a heavy duty 60" boxblade with the rippers down very well.

Ideally something such as the Cammond 54" boxblade would be a better match imo. Here's a link to a 54" Cammond with four rippers that should work well with this tractor. http://cammond.com/Cammond Economy Scraper Series.htm

 

[mjaybee]

I don't know if you have already have bought a box scraper, but something to consider is a rear blade as it can be angled as to let dirt roll off to the side and thus requiring less hp than the same sized box scraper. I have a B3200HST with a 5' Taylor Way (made by KK) HD box scraper. I run R4 industrial tires that are 75% water filled, and when I'm in 2WD and the box gets full of dirt, 32hp isn't enough to pull it, the rear wheels just spin. Weight is very important, especially up front.

 

[yelbike]

I have two box blades for my tractors(JD2305 and jd2320). I have a 48" that works great for dirt work, but thats not really what you want. I find the large 72" bb works great on gravel for leveling. Wider is better and the traction is not an issue while on the driveway. My recommendation is the 60" for you as you only want one bb. Tsc and northern tool have pretty good prices but check out ted's unit at eta, their prices are good to and you fall in theur 1000 miles free shipping thing. Plus eta has great videos.