5 or 6' Box Blade Scraper for Cub Cadet 7305?

deezler · Mar 28, 2012

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for any helpful insight here.

I really want (need) a box blade for my new tractor. I am trying to break ground on my new property - repair the scraggly little bit of actual "driveway" and add in a long new extension, and make smoother trails over my generally lumpy terrain.

I was feeling pretty set on a 5' box blade (tractor width with the R4s is ~58"), but money is super tight right now. And all I see used on local craigslist's are 6' models. Have been watching them daily waiting for a 5' box to pop up.... but it never does. So the question is, could my tractor handle a 6 footer? Or would I just be cursing myself as it hangs up on roots and rocks and stalls the tractor repeatedly. I am generally of the opinion to get the right sized equipment such that you can maintain power and speed when working. But if a 6' box blade added a significant amount of additional weight, would that help it be more effective too? Note: I have several areas of sloping terrain to work with, too.

Tractor specs:
Cub Cadet 7305 (Mitsubishi built, generally pretty stout) Low hours.
30 HP, 4WD, differential lock, 3-range hydro trans
Weight: ~2700 lbs, + loader. Tires NOT loaded.

Need to smooth out terrain like this as I punch into the woods:

Here is my little scraggly bit of driveway up by my road frontage. I want to rip it up to smooth it out, pack it back down, then add 4-6" of new clean rock on top.

bcp · Mar 28, 2012

A 6-footer you can buy is better than a 5-footer you can't buy.

Even if you have to take it easy during your reconstruction, it should be just about right for later maintenance.

Bruce

deezler · Mar 28, 2012

Haha, yes, a 6' box blade would probably be more effective than a non-existent 5 footer.

I suppose I should have added that the other consideration is to buy a NEW 5' box blade. We are really only talking about a couple hundred dollars more for a new 5' United blade from everything attachments vs. most of the used stuff I am seeing around here.

But my main question is how much less capable, or how much slower am I going to have to work, to get stuff done with a 6' vs 5' blade......?

creekbend · Mar 28, 2012

Specs on 7305: Wheelbase-67 inches, engine gross HP-30, net HP-27, PTO HP-24, 1653 pounds rear lift at 24 inches. Depending on the type of soil, I would think the 6 footer would suit your needs.

scoutcub · Mar 28, 2012

deezler said:
Haha, yes, a 6' box blade would probably be more effective than a non-existent 5 footer.

I suppose I should have added that the other consideration is to buy a NEW 5' box blade. We are really only talking about a couple hundred dollars more for a new 5' United blade from everything attachments vs. most of the used stuff I am seeing around here.

But my main question is how much less capable, or how much slower am I going to have to work, to get stuff done with a 6' vs 5' blade......?

Deez -
I'm in the same boat, searching for the right size BB . :confused2: In your case, I would venture to say either would be OK. Keep in mind, every box blade has a different weight. Some are 300....some are 1000. Find the right weight, and you should be OK!!!

deezler · Mar 28, 2012

creekbend said:
Specs on 7305: Wheelbase-67 inches, engine gross HP-30, net HP-27, PTO HP-24, 1653 pounds rear lift at 24 inches. Depending on the type of soil, I would think the 6 footer would suit your needs.

Yeah I am not worried about the tractor lifting or carrying a 72" blade, just it having enough tractive force to pull it with ease. Depending on soil... hmmm... I have: Sandy loam, silty mud, clay and rubble in-fill, tired old gravel driveway base, and root-filled brush zones.

scoutcub said:
In your case, I would venture to say either would be OK. Keep in mind, every box blade has a different weight. Some are 300....some are 1000. Find the right weight, and you should be OK!!!

Well, what is the "right" weight? I am thinking the heavier the better. I'd be happy to see 5 to 600 pounds, but most 5 footers are more like 400 lbs.

I don't have the money for any of these (yet), but my top three choices are looking like:
1. Everything-Attachments-66-Inch-Box-Blade

2. King-Kutter-Professional-Tractor-Box-Blade

3. United-566HD-Heavy-Duty-Tractor-Box-Blade-66

All of these look better than the tractor-supply or northern tool type options to me.

Ford tractor · Mar 28, 2012

For the road work, the 6' would be good. For the rough stuff, you don't have enough tractor to "easily" drag even a 5 ft. Roots are tough tough tough and will stop you dead. heck, they will stop a tractor twice that size.

Buy the heaviest implement you can and that will typically be your best one. The worry I have is that if you get a root on an edge a light box will pretzel up. Just keep that in mind.

creekbend · Mar 28, 2012

Ford tractor made some good points.

Martian · Mar 28, 2012

6' is definitely better than none. What I would do as well is go around to local dealerships. The dealers are especially good, but a lot of times you'll find used implements for great prices that have sat on dealers lots for years.

deezler · Mar 28, 2012

^ yes ford tractor does make some good points. That's kind of the opinion I was seeking - that I should pass on 72" used box blades because I just don't have enough tractor to pull one through the rough stuff.

So, if I go with the conservative approach and find a new 5 foot box blade... it's kind of hard to tell what model would be better than another. The weight is typically pretty comparable, so I guess I am looking for:

- front AND rear cutting blades, ideally reversible.
- good bracing between the 3-pt mounting and the rear moldboard
- clevis style mounting on the lower arms vs the simple pin.
- more shanks are better than less (so, 5 is better than 4 in the case of a 5' BB)

Any thoughts on my selection criteria?

Good tip Martian. I might have to make some calls.