5' box scraper on a 2320?

[Millalien]

Closing in on buying a Deere 2320 and one last question is about whether it can handle a 5' box scraper. Local dealer would upsell me to a larger tractor because he thinks the 2320 can't handle more than a 4' box, but I'm not too excited about the other choice. The other related use is skidding timber and I guess I just don't have a feel for what the torque/HP differences amount to. The other two tractors are the B7800 and the Deere 2520.

The smaller hydrolic capacity of the 2320 doesn't bother me too much so it really comes down to pulling power with the 5' box capacity being the main worry. A friend thinks I should consider a 3203, but I think the 2000 series frame size is a better match, I can't get a 300CX loader on a 3203 anyway, so I'm back at the pulling power question with that machine as well and I think it's over-powered. This is a hobby farm use, so if the 2320 can't pull a particular log it's not a big deal as long as it can pull the 5' scraper.

Comments?

Thanks!

 

[jbrumberg]

Millalien:

Welcome to TBN ! What are you planning to do with the box scraper, what is your soil composition, and what kind of tires are you getting? Jay

 

[knute_m]

Closing in on buying a Deere 2320 and one last question is about whether it can handle a 5' box scraper. Local dealer would upsell me to a larger tractor because he thinks the 2320 can't handle more than a 4' box, but I'm not too excited about the other choice. The other related use is skidding timber and I guess I just don't have a feel for what the torque/HP differences amount to. The other two tractors are the B7800 and the Deere 2520.

I've got a Mahindra 2015 4WD which is rated at 20 hp. I've got loaded R4 tires. I think the Mahindra, especially with the KMW loader, is probably a little heavier than the Deere, but I have absolultely no problem pulling a 5-foot box scraper up a steep driveway, loaded with gravel. I've done a lot of leveling with it, pulling a heck of a lot of roots out of the ground. I also use a 6-foot rear blade without any problem.

I don't think you should have any problem with the 2320.

Good luck,
Knute

 

[Millalien]

Hey guys, thanks for replies,,,

As with knute, mostly grooming a steep gravel driveway 9-10' wide. I'll also be ripping new road occaisionally through a light duff layer and loamy, clay, mostly rock-free soil. I'll have the R4 tires filled. Also, strictly non-commercial -- if it takes two weekends instead of three, no big deal.

 

[2manyrocks]

I've used a 22 hp yanmar 2 wheel drive to pull a 5 1/2 atlas box blade to grade a steep driveway for years. I run out of traction and have to let some material fall out of the box before I run out of power. Isn't the 2320 a wheel drive hydrostatic unit? Looks like it ought to work to me, especially if it's 4 wheel drive.

 

[garth466]

My 29.5 horse 3120 pulls a 65" BB no problem and I rarely use over 2200 RPM. I will lose traction when the box gets too full though. It seems to keep traction better with a loader full of gravel.

You should be fine. Knowing what I know now, I would probably not be afraid to go with a 6' on mine even thought the dealer said I need to be on the next size up tractor. Of course I haven't played in dirt yet, just my gravel roads.

 

[jbrumberg]

Millalien:

You should be fine for your stated use. Jay

 

[Wesdor]

I'm with the rest - be careful and you should be able to pull that 5' box blade with your tractor. If it gets to be too much, then you can take a smaller bite and it should work.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but you mention twice that you will be using the tractor to skid logs. Two things are a concern when skidding logs. The first is how you hook the logs to the tractor. You can end up with a log pulling your tractor over and hurting you. The other concern is getting the log full of dirt and rocks. What will use be doing with the logs after you get them out? If it is just firewood, then maybe dirt isn't such a big concern. But if it is for saw logs, then dirt becomes a big problem. You might want to consider purchasing a log arch. I bought one last summer and have been amazed at how much work it has saved me.

You can see some examples here: LogRite<SUP>ｮ</SUP> Tools logging tools

 

[2manyrocks]

I think I need to backtrack some here. I believe the tractor will work with a 5' box blade to grade gravel. I'm going to hedge on the log skidding by saying it depends on the size of the log and how you skid them. My tractor won't skid much of a log at all, but I'm not using a log arch, either. If you let the log dig in, I predict you won't be going very far.

 

[Millalien]

Good call on the log arch.


Thanks for the replies.