54" BB v. 60" BB???

[bartonkj]

54\" BB v. 60\" BB???

I bought a New Holland TC24D (gear drive) and a 54" landpride box blade (amongst other things). I have not yet taken delivery and am wondering if maybe I should get a 60" box blade instead. I will use it to maintain a 350' gravel (mud now) driveway, as a counterweight for the FEL, and to prepare about 2 acres of rutted farm field as a yard.

What are the pros and cons of the 54 vs. the 60? The 60 will probably be harder to pull?

I don't know off hand if the 54 will cover the tire tracks but I just spoke to the dealer and he said he will measure it for me.

I am concerned about storage space. I am concerned about manuverability. I am concerned about ability of the tractor to effectively use the bigger blade. I am concerned about the smaller not covering the tracks. I am not concerned so much if I need to take more passes with the smaller BB. I can get the 60" for $50 more than the 54" I already bought.

Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Inspector507]

Re: 54\" BB v. 60\" BB???

The 24D has a width at the tires of 44.7" (according to NH) with the tires dished in. They didn't specify what tires though. I have a TC18 and I "think" I'm wider than that with turfs on it. I have a 60" that I have used a few times behind my TC18. It's a little too much at times, so I just take a smaller "bite".
The 54" will cover your tracks, but for $50?? I'd go with a 60".
Just my opinion.

 

[SacandagaBrad]

Re: 54\" BB v. 60\" BB???

I have the TC24D with the turfs dished out (only way they can go) and the 54" bucket on the front is a perfect match for the width of the tractor. I also pull a 72" back blade that will take a good 3 to 4 inch bite out of the hard packed gravel road for regrading and the tractor pulls it no problem. I would think the weight and power of the 24D should be sufficient for the 60", but I don't have any direct experience with a box blade to say for sure. A lot will depend on the conditions, and you can always take a smaller bite.

I haven't really given any answer, just wanted to point out the 54"bucket compared to the width of tractor. Some guys like having similar width implements front and back. I haven't accidentally hooked my 72" blade into anything yet, but the day will come /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Brad