Rear blade recommendation for 45hp 4WD tractor

[gladehound]

Thanks Brian for the heads-up on the Befco. I want hydraulic angle not offset. So if that's the case the Befco is out. And yes, the 37 series is a lot more blade. It's probably the better value of the two in terms of what you're getting for the money. However, if i don't use the extra features and don't need the heft it may not be a better value for me.

Regarding 7ft vs 8ft. I'm still thinking hard about it - even went out and measured some tight spots. Still a tough call. 7 ft is safe. but 8 would sure be nice because it means single pass driveway clearing on light snows. I'm also used to my rear blade sticking out a foot on each side because I've been running a 6ft blade on a 4ft wide tractor for 8 years now.

 

[arrow]

Thanks Brian for the heads-up on the Befco. I want hydraulic angle not offset. So if that's the case the Befco is out. And yes, the 37 series is a lot more blade. It's probably the better value of the two in terms of what you're getting for the money. However, if i don't use the extra features and don't need the heft it may not be a better value for me.

Regarding 7ft vs 8ft. I'm still thinking hard about it - even went out and measured some tight spots. Still a tough call. 7 ft is safe. but 8 would sure be nice because it means single pass driveway clearing on light snows. I'm also used to my rear blade sticking out a foot on each side because I've been running a 6ft blade on a 4ft wide tractor for 8 years now.

I'd still get the 7'. You have to come back up the drive anyway. Might as well do that with the blade down to get an almost 12' wide travel lane and more room for anymore windowed snow from subsequent storms.

I don't know about you but I have some tight quarters around my place. I kinda like the fact that when I place my blade at 30*, it's as wide as the tractor itself so where the tractor can go the blade will also fit without inadvertently taking out a corner of the barn or something. (Unless I do something stupid like take a turn whose swing doesn't compensate for the blade being on there) This is akin to forgetting you have the rops up that doesn't fit into the building door height but you drive in anyway.

 

[gladehound]

"I'd still get the 7'. You have to come back up the drive anyway. Might as well do that with the blade down to get an almost 12' wide travel lane and more room for anymore windowed snow from subsequent storms. "

A fair comment and one that I considered. However, for my specific driveway clearing needs it doesn't apply. I have several 8 foot lanes that end at buidlings. For these, I need to back up, drop the blade in front of the door and pull the snow away from the buildling and down the lane. With 8 foot, I could leave it flat and it's once and done. With 7 the path would be a bit narrow and I'd likely be backing up to the door twice instead of once. I also have several loops of driveway where I can go around the loop one time and be done with an 8 foot blade. 7ft would be a little narrow for once and done. When I'm in a hurry to get to work on a snowy morning, once and done sounds nice. I do have one place where I will need to go down than back. This is to the barn where I store the tractor. For this, there is little advantage to the 8 foot blade. But this represents only 10% of the lanes that I clear snow on. Plus, with 8 foot, I'll probably never need to get off and offset the blade. I'm also not planning to take this blade anywhere that is tight. I'm not using it for a counter weight for loader work in the woods. i have a bar with 700 pounds of steel weights on it for that purpose.

With that final consideration sorted out in my head, I pulled the trigger this morning and ordered the Land Pride RB2696 with hydraulic angle. I want to thank all who gave input for me to consider. It really was helpful as I thought this through. It was all valid input and I think differences of opinion really come down to differences in how each of us is using our blade.

 

[kco]

This is a bit off the original topic because it mentions a blade for gravel grading, landscaping and snow clearing. However, for gravel grading and landscaping I think it is hard to beat a landscape rake with guage wheels. I have a fairly heavy duty Farm King rake and use the wheels off my finishing mower. It is easier to use and does a much better job than my rear blade.

I find it better for trail and road building than my rear blade. I have barely used my rear blade since I got the landscape rake five years ago. In fact, when my neighbour got a tractor two years ago and was going to buy a rear blade I told him to permanently borrow mine and I'll get it any time I need it. I needed it once last year to use the offset to drag snow from near a building wall. Instead of getting the blade I just called him and he came over and did it for me.

I have not used the rake to try to move snow and suspect it may not be suitable for that. That is not a problem since I use a 3 point snowblower.

Otherwise, I find a landscape/rock rake more useful than a rear blade.

 

[gladehound]

Darn, I should have got a rake!

 

[arrow]

"I'd still get the 7'. You have to come back up the drive anyway. Might as well do that with the blade down to get an almost 12' wide travel lane and more room for anymore windowed snow from subsequent storms. "

A fair comment and one that I considered. However, for my specific driveway clearing needs it doesn't apply. I have several 8 foot lanes that end at buidlings. For these, I need to back up, drop the blade in front of the door and pull the snow away from the buildling and down the lane. With 8 foot, I could leave it flat and it's once and done. With 7 the path would be a bit narrow and I'd likely be backing up to the door twice instead of once. I also have several loops of driveway where I can go around the loop one time and be done with an 8 foot blade. 7ft would be a little narrow for once and done. When I'm in a hurry to get to work on a snowy morning, once and done sounds nice. I do have one place where I will need to go down than back. This is to the barn where I store the tractor. For this, there is little advantage to the 8 foot blade. But this represents only 10% of the lanes that I clear snow on. Plus, with 8 foot, I'll probably never need to get off and offset the blade. I'm also not planning to take this blade anywhere that is tight. I'm not using it for a counter weight for loader work in the woods. i have a bar with 700 pounds of steel weights on it for that purpose.

With that final consideration sorted out in my head, I pulled the trigger this morning and ordered the Land Pride RB2696 with hydraulic angle. I want to thank all who gave input for me to consider. It really was helpful as I thought this through. It was all valid input and I think differences of opinion really come down to differences in how each of us is using our blade.

Xcelnt Ron. This is why we get on the forum. As all information is sifted out, more and more of a picture comes to mind for our own use. Your last sentence is the entire crux of the matter no matter what is being selected. Good luck with the attachment. I'm sure you'll love it. Now, about those tires on your tractor.....

 

[gladehound]

Nothing happens on TBN without pictures. So here it is!

 

[LD1]

Looks like a nice snow removal tool:thumbsup:

 

[gladehound]

Made quick work of my 4500 square foot gravel drive way (using back of blade). Didn't pick up gravel and allowed me to push way back onto the grass without tearing anything up. Back bottom of blade is very smooth. Almost like they had plowing a gravel driveway in mind when they built it. Can't wait to try it on dirt this spring! The hydraulics are strong and fast.

I'll do a review of this blade after I've used it a while.

 

[boatpilot1]

Made quick work of my 4500 square foot gravel drive way (using back of blade). Didn't pick up gravel and allowed me to push way back onto the grass without tearing anything up. Back bottom of blade is very smooth. Almost like they had plowing a gravel driveway in mind when they built it. Can't wait to try it on dirt this spring! The hydraulics are strong and fast.

I'll do a review of this blade after I've used it a while.

Thanks for all of the info provided. I have just purchased a 50 hp Bobcat tractor and was thinking about upgrading by blade. Only thing I need is hydro angle.