6' blade on a BX25

Chugbug · Jul 28, 2018

Is anyone using a 6' blade on a BX25 (has Pat's quick connect on 3ph)?? I will only be using it for back dragging my driveway and any snow we might get. I won't be using the cutting edge but a very rare occasions, maybe cutting down the center hump in the drive way (drive way is 1/3 of a mile long), otherwise I'll be using the back of the blade 95% of the time. Also is there enough room behind the tractor to spin the blade from the cutting edge to the back edge? Thanks!

Grandad4 · Jul 28, 2018

Pretty big blade for that tractor. Many BX owners use 60" rear blades with success; I have a 48" blade that is good enough for any snow on our small driveway. Wouldn't take much ground contact or very much material in front of a 72" blade to stop a BX. Better choice is a used 5 ft blade; they are generally easy to find and fairly cheap.

Gary Fowler · Jul 28, 2018

I would think a 4 foot blade would be about all a BX could handle unless it was very lightly built.

Texasmark · Jul 28, 2018

Problem with a blade on a small tractor is the weight of the resistance vs the weight of the tractor. Having tried to use a blade on a small tractor years ago, only having 2wd, I couldn't keep the tractor going in a straight line and couldn't get traction to suit any load of any size.

4wd may solve that problem but probably not if you get into something heavy. A cubic yard isn't all that big and it weighs around 3-4000# If your tractor weighs 2000# (with loader) I'd be surprised.

I'd pass.

bcp · Jul 28, 2018

I think it would work fine operated backwards most of the time. I use my 5ft blade that way, and can't see how 6 inches on each end would be any problem. You are simply smoothing things, not cutting or dragging.

If you operate it turned forward, angled, and cutting, you WILL have a steering problem.

Only a trial or some good measuring will let you know about tire interference when rotating the blade.

Bruce

Chugbug · Jul 28, 2018

My main goal is to use to back drag our gravel driveway which is over 1800' long by 16' wide and maybe a snow or two. Don't think I'll ever use the cutting edge but if so it will be on snow(we very rarely see anything over 4"). I've used my neighbor's 6 foot blade but it was always off set so swinging it was easy. It handled everything I needed, I just didn't know if anyone was using a 6' and if it could be turned without hitting anything.

atsah · Jul 28, 2018

I use a 5ft blade on my GC and it works fine.. it’s not too much for it to pull and you can angle it and still cover your wheels, 6ft is a stretch on a SCUT.

Tractor Seabee · Jul 29, 2018

I have a 60" LP that works pretty good behind my BX. Never tried it fully loaded on a heavy pull. I did not buy it for that use. I always cast the spoils to the side and eliminate the heavy pull. They are no and excavator behind a SCUT or intended to be. I find it a lot better for some things than a BB. I use it primarily got the rippers now.

Ron

dragoneggs · Jul 29, 2018

Hey Chug,

I bought a used 72in Rankin and wrestled with it on the back of my BX. I knew it was too big but the price was right. Did a lot of work with it (grading a road/trail across and down a steep slope on my property). Actually move a lot of dirt with it but was fighting it all along.

Finally got smart and cut it down (using a plasma cutter) lopping off 4.5in on each side making it 63in wide. World of difference! Went from tail wagging the dog to something far more forgiving and easier to control and drag. I would have cut 6in off each side but the removable hard edge has carriage bolts that I didn't want to lose on the ends. My recommendation is do NOT go for a 6ft blade on a BX. I have 2in wheel spacers on the rears making it about 48in max width. A 60in balde will clear the rears easy.... BTW I highly recommend wheel spacers. Especially if you are working on a slope or uneven ground! My :2cents:

Here is a pic what what I was dealing with. Sorry the blade isn't on but you can see the trail I was carving. BH on to tear out a stump in the path.

fried1765 · Jul 29, 2018

dragoneggs said:
Hey Chug,

I bought a used 72in Rankin and wrestled with it on the back of my BX. I knew it was too big but the price was right. Did a lot of work with it (grading a road/trail across and down a steep slope on my property). Actually move a lot of dirt with it but was fighting it all along.

Finally got smart and cut it down (using a plasma cutter) lopping off 4.5in on each side making it 63in wide. World of difference! Went from tail wagging the dog to something far more forgiving and easier to control and drag. I would have cut 6in off each side but the removable hard edge has carriage bolts that I didn't want to lose on the ends. My recommendation is do NOT go for a 6ft blade on a BX. I have 2in wheel spacers on the rears making it about 48in max width. A 60in balde will clear the rears easy.... BTW I highly recommend wheel spacers. Especially if you are working on a slope or uneven ground! My :2cents:

Here is a pic what what I was dealing with. Sorry the blade isn't on but you can see the trail I was carving. BH on to tear out a stump in the path.

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