Another -What box blade to get- thread

[DieselBound]

Well, I was about to pull the trigger on a used (of course) Gannon but before I could it got sold: I was trying to come up with a decent shipping quote (would have been looking at around $3,600). Nothing used that's suitable shows up locally (even out-of-state used stuff is pretty scarce, and tends to be scary) in which case I'm now pretty much forced to dole out for a new one.

This would be for my NX5510 (my B7800 has a nice, indestructible Modern Ag- 5'), for heavy use in preparing about 2,000' of land for fencing. I'll have perhaps 300' of ground that'll have been filled fairly recently (easy enough to grade), but most of the rest is pretty much undisturbed, wet/heavy clay. This is the most immediate need, though long-term I'll always have a need for a good box blade; which would include, of course, hanging it off the back of the NX for added ballast. NX's rears are ballasted. R4 tires. Measurement at outer rears is 74".

Hydraulic scarifiers are a requirement. This pushes things into a more rarefied strata, less candidates. What I see out there that's in the 7'-ish range (I liked the 80" dimension of that used Gannon I was focused on) pretty much comes down to Woods, Land Pride and Paladin. Specifically, the models come down to these:


HR35 & HRL35 Series Box Scrapers | Land Pride
Product Details
FFC 240SD Box Scraper with Hydraulically actuated scarifier

A local Woods dealer quoted me about $5k (doesn't include taxes!).
Got a price on an HR3584 of $3,950, but that would require shipping (probably about $1k).
Clearly, the EA-offered Paladin is quite a bit cheaper: local Paladin dealer quoted me $5k! This BB is also the heaviest by quite a bit.

Land Pride has a 78" model of the HRL35. I like the idea of having something that isn't quite so wide, only presents a 2" overhang per side, though 84" means 5" overhang (B7800 set up is overhanging by 3" per side). I haven't checked on pricing for that. Nothing pops up out-of-state, in which case it would be a local purchase with sales tax. Can't see it coming out cheaper than the EA pricing though. And, clearly, based on weights this is, at roughly 1k lbs, about 500 lbs lighter than the EA/Paladin BB!

Shelling out $4k (plus or minus) is huge. I really can't afford to not get this right. (ending up as expensive ballast)

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Find a Gearmore dealer. Get their 4G2-80 unit. Perfect fit for your tractor. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Should run about $3900. Weighs in at 1220lbs and is local being on the West Coast.

 

[DieselBound]

Hi, Brian. Yes, I'd inquired about the Gearmores. The model numbers are all over the map; had a hard time getting info I got from a dealer out west here to match up with what Gearmore lists- confusing:confused2: From that dealer I was quoted $2,990 for the 2G2-84 (920 lbs; side plate thickness is 3/8" (compared to 1/2" for the others I list). Shipping would be about $600. I would assume that the 4G2-80 would we a good bump more: I'll check back with the dealer- the 4G2-80 wasn't presented to me even though I'd specified that I was looking for something in the 6 1/2' range (with hydraulic rippers). So, thanks for bringing this one back up!:thumbsup:

 

[DieselBound]

Got a quick response from the dealer. Quoted about 10% higher (in total) than the EA/Paladin: and the unit quoted was for a floating tailgate, which I don't really want (one that's fixed is in higher bracket, for sure more $$). I'm already pushing the limits of what I cared to spend on a BB; inching up another 10% just isn't going to fly. If I didn't have a fairly immediate need I'd just sit back a while longer and watch for something else used to pop up. Really kicking myself for missing out on that Gannon!

 

[xring100]

When i bought my gannon it was $3500 for an 88hsd i called every gannon dealer a 65 mile radius. The highest quote was about $800 more. The land pride was more by a fair margin. And the ffc 440 was even more might not hurt to call a couple other dealers. It was the same way when i bought my tractor. One dealer was $5k more than what i bought my tractor at he told me i was full of $h!t when i told him he was $5k higher than my best deal and then i pulled out my quote from said dealer and told him even if he beat that price by a grand i would not buy it out of spite as he would have willingly charged me $5k more

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304549

 

[ovrszd]

I can't comprehend paying $3-4-5K for a box blade. I try to understand. I just can't.

Be more diligent in your search for a used one. Have your ducks all lined up in a row. When you see the right one be prepared to go get it that day, cash in hand.

I bought a used LP 7' hydraulic scarifier for $1000.

Patience my friend, patience.

 

[DieselBound]

Gannon is now Woods. Only one dealer nearby and they quoted me $5000. This area of the country seems mostly to have either big Ag stuff or small CUT/light duty stuff: Eastern WA is really big AG/.

I've reached out to one Land Pride dealer soliciting prices for the HRL3578 and HRL3584. Will see. Closest dealer, where I bought my B7800 from, I don't really care all that much for and I KNOW they'll be higher than anyone else.

No Gearmore dealers anywhere close by.

And just the one Paladin dealer: I was probably the only person to walk through their doors asking about a Paladin box blade! (again, $5k - one would almost think that everyone around here is in cahoots!)

 

[DieselBound]

I can't comprehend paying $3-4-5K for a box blade. I try to understand. I just can't.

Be more diligent in your search for a used one. Have your ducks all lined up in a row. When you see the right one be prepared to go get it that day, cash in hand.

I bought a used LP 7' hydraulic scarifier for $1000.

Patience my friend, patience.

Richard, yeah, I cannot comprehend it either, but here I am.

I tried with that Gannon, and missed it. That was as good a deal as I've been able to find (w/o looking to take a huge risk on something that looks like it got pulled from the Titanic!).

I'm going on several months being on the look-out. Time is running out. Got a huge project that I really don't want to loose traction on. And I'm not getting any younger.

In this neck of the woods it really is a barren wasteland for higher level CUT stuff. I have been pretty lucky in landing a lot of used stuff, but for these I waited a LOT longer (and was OK, schedule-wise, doing so). Anything that even sounds/looks like it's a box scraper I wouldn't even find suitable for my B7800! (I held out a LONG time for the 5' Modern Ag BB - see my avatar). The Bush Hog 286 I picked up for the NX was severely beat (used commercially), closest thing to a true medium duty cutter I could find: with its extra 1/4" plate steel welded to the deck it's pretty much medium duty, verging on heavy duty)- although an eyesore, it's a pretty freak deal to have run across it. And this is the deal, mowers are far more plentiful, when looking at anything that wouldn't wrap up like a pretzel.

 

[ovrszd]

Richard, yeah, I cannot comprehend it either, but here I am.

I tried with that Gannon, and missed it. That was as good a deal as I've been able to find (w/o looking to take a huge risk on something that looks like it got pulled from the Titanic!).

I'm going on several months being on the look-out. Time is running out. Got a huge project that I really don't want to loose traction on. And I'm not getting any younger.

In this neck of the woods it really is a barren wasteland for higher level CUT stuff. I have been pretty lucky in landing a lot of used stuff, but for these I waited a LOT longer (and was OK, schedule-wise, doing so). Anything that even sounds/looks like it's a box scraper I wouldn't even find suitable for my B7800! (I held out a LONG time for the 5' Modern Ag BB - see my avatar). The Bush Hog 286 I picked up for the NX was severely beat (used commercially), closest thing to a true medium duty cutter I could find: with its extra 1/4" plate steel welded to the deck it's pretty much medium duty, verging on heavy duty)- although an eyesore, it's a pretty freak deal to have run across it. And this is the deal, mowers are far more plentiful, when looking at anything that wouldn't wrap up like a pretzel.

I feel your pain my friend!!!!

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!!!!

We want pictures and details of course!!!!!

 

[DieselBound]

I feel your pain my friend!!!!

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!!!!

We want pictures and details of course!!!!!

Before, after, or during being stuck? :laughing: And now that I think about this, getting stuck with even more weight...

 

[DieselBound]

Just got some quotes from my local Kobota/Land Pride dealer. An HR3578 would run about $4,150 w/tax. I like the idea of something less than 84"; sweet spot would be 80", but 78" might be OK (a couple inches wider on each side of the Kioti). Weight is about 990 lbs. The tailgate is hinged and can be locked- that gives some flexibility (that's not on other units). QH compatible (they only say "Land Pride" QH, but likely other QHs work), which doesn't seem to be the case with other potential BB candidates.

HR3578 specs

I know that heavier is usually better but I'm starting to rethink things a bit when we're talking 1,500 lbs on the Paladin/EA box blade. My ground isn't real hard, in which case I'm not sure that I'd need 1,500 lbs to penetrate the ground (the scarafiers should be sufficient for pulling into the ground). I'd think that 1,000 lbs would be sufficient for leveling.

 

[ovrszd]

I have an HR3584. It's plenty heavy for cutting. If the material is too hard to cut it can easily be ripped. The angle of the cutter is perfect and generally will bury itself first pass. I never bolt the rear blade in the fixed position. This also allows deeper cuts to be made.

 

[FTG-05]

If you can find them up there: LMC, especially their MT versions.

Box Blades

Excellent pic of the difference between their light duty and heavy duty BB's:

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Just got some quotes from my local Kobota/Land Pride dealer. An HR3578 would run about $4,150 w/tax. I like the idea of something less than 84"; sweet spot would be 80", but 78" might be OK (a couple inches wider on each side of the Kioti). Weight is about 990 lbs. The tailgate is hinged and can be locked- that gives some flexibility (that's not on other units). QH compatible (they only say "Land Pride" QH, but likely other QHs work), which doesn't seem to be the case with other potential BB candidates.

HR3578 specs

I know that heavier is usually better but I'm starting to rethink things a bit when we're talking 1,500 lbs on the Paladin/EA box blade. My ground isn't real hard, in which case I'm not sure that I'd need 1,500 lbs to penetrate the ground (the scarafiers should be sufficient for pulling into the ground). I'd think that 1,000 lbs would be sufficient for leveling.

Again, this is why I recommended the unit that I recommended. Tail gate can be locked down as all of them can be that I am aware of and can be ordered to be quick hitch compatible (has to be ordered that way) 80" wide and 1220lbs is a perfect fit for your tractor. I have recommended these to several others with your size machine, all are happy campers to the best of my knowledge.

None have had to pay over $4000.

If you are going with a quick hitch, double check that what you get is indeed QH compatible. Many units are not.

 

[xring100]

Gannon hsd/hxf is definetly not qh compatable the tower is way too tall. The lower pins do work in a cat 2 qh

 

[DieselBound]

Again, many thanks for all the input and knowledge. It really helps when faced with costly purchases like this.

To clarify a few points...

- I NEED hydraulic rippers.
- The floating tailgate isn't something that was a requirement (I was expecting to not have that); that this Land Pride unit also has this function is, I'd think, a plus.
- I'd seen that most of the box blades in this category aren't QH compatible; I not that the LP model specifically notes it is (though with LP's QH).

Brian, I like the Gearmore, but for the 4G2-80 I was quoted $3800. Shipping would be $550 on top of this ($4,350 total). This model is ONLY a floating tailgate.

 

[TripleR]

Don't know how I missed this thread, but I am one of those bought a NEW HR3584 to use with my L5740 and M8540. I may well have gone with the HRL3578 if not for the M8540, but I had been using a BB2584 and liked the width. I can't say it's better than anything else as I really like the Woods, just no dealers in my area. I bought mine as a package with my tractor, so got a bit off, but if not I still consider it money well spent.

Now if I had Richard's skills or those of a few other, I'm sure I'd feel differently.

 

[DieselBound]

The HR3584 seems like it would be a bit on the large side for my Kioti (as would most heavy duty 84" units). The 78" model is listed as a "low back;" I don't think that this will be an issue, but?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Again, many thanks for all the input and knowledge. It really helps when faced with costly purchases like this.

To clarify a few points...

- I NEED hydraulic rippers.
- The floating tailgate isn't something that was a requirement (I was expecting to not have that); that this Land Pride unit also has this function is, I'd think, a plus.
- I'd seen that most of the box blades in this category aren't QH compatible; I not that the LP model specifically notes it is (though with LP's QH).

Brian, I like the Gearmore, but for the 4G2-80 I was quoted $3800. Shipping would be $550 on top of this ($4,350 total). This model is ONLY a floating tailgate.

So you are saying that the tail gate can not be pinned to a stationary position???

 

[DieselBound]

Brian, this is the note I got from the vendor:

4G2 only comes in floating tail board.
4G4 comes in floating and fixed!

I wasn't given a price on the 4G4. I'm assuming it's more than the 4G2.

By default I figured I'd want a fixed tailgate. That the LP can do either is, IMO, a plus.