Do I want/need a 72 or 84" box blade?

[RDrancher]

Personally, I like my BB the same width as my bucket. I have tractor neck from so many years of BB work, so I don't do well grading with my head turned left over my shoulder. When I grade next to a fenceline that requires running with the left side, I like to raise my bucket above and inline with the fence and grade away. As long as the bucket is on my side of the fence, the BB won't hit it.

It also works good when doing bucket work along a building. I don't have to worry about the width of the BB doing any damage.

 

[sparc]

Personally, I like my BB the same width as my bucket. I have tractor neck from so many years of BB work, so I don't do well grading with my head turned left over my shoulder. When I grade next to a fenceline that requires running with the left side, I like to raise my bucket above and inline with the fence and grade away. As long as the bucket is on my side of the fence, the BB won't hit it.

It also works good when doing bucket work along a building. I don't have to worry about the width of the BB doing any damage.

nice trick. thanks for sharing. I 'll have to give theat a try. The only reason I was thinking of going wider was so I wouldn't have to run so close to a fence line or building with the tractor.

 

[murphy1244]

Yep, that's pretty smart!

 

[sparc]

I was thinking a 68" at about 900 Lbs.

Looked up the Frontier BB2072 and its 534 pounds.

 

[murphy1244]

I have a 3578 at 1000Lbs.

 

[Katahdin]

My Yanmar LX is 69.5" wide, I went with a 72"

My only regret is it's not wide enough to be effective at cutting ditches, when tilted to one side, an 84" would be better for that.

 

[RDrancher]

nice trick. thanks for sharing. I 'll have to give theat a try. The only reason I was thinking of going wider was so I wouldn't have to run so close to a fence line or building with the tractor.

I can see that being beneficial for most operators. When I'm cutting next to a building, I cut with the BB as close as I'm comfortable with then switch to sweep cuts with the bucket at a slight angle.

My Yanmar LX is 69.5" wide, I went with a 72"

My only regret is it's not wide enough to be effective at cutting ditches, when tilted to one side, an 84" would be better for that.

I do the unthinkable (at least to many on here). I cut almost all of my swales with the BB backing up...THE HORROR!!! I also rip them first with the scarifiers and then cut them in 2WD. Even with loaded rears and a 1000+ BB making small cuts at a time, it'll spin before anything breaks. Of course, in rocky ground its a recipe for disaster, so I cut them heading forward.

 

[mfreund]

I have a 72" King Cutter on my 4310. Works out great. Get a hydraulic top link, Makes the box blade much more useful. I bought mine from Surplus Center. Just a cylinder with ball swivels on both ends(like in the advertisement on the home screen). Works fantastic. I don't see the need for the check valves that some have.

 

[Katahdin]

I do the unthinkable (at least to many on here). I cut almost all of my swales with the BB backing up...THE HORROR!!! I also rip them first with the scarifiers and then cut them in 2WD. Even with loaded rears and a 1000+ BB making small cuts at a time, it'll spin before anything breaks. Of course, in rocky ground its a recipe for disaster, so I cut them heading forward.

Interesting, that may just work for some of the stuff I'm trying to do. Thanks for the tip!

 

[sparc]

yes, a hydraulic top link, or maybe top and tilt, is on my list next from Brian.

I would have got it now but this deal came up and didn't want to miss out.

The blade is like new and I got it for much less than half of a new BB2072.

I know, ya want photos, this is the only one I have right now.
Grabbed it yesterday after hooking up to the tractor for the first time.