60" box scraper

Bullzibart · Nov 6, 2004

60\" box scraper

I've been looking for a box scraper for my JD4210 and would like to know if a 5 footer would work or should I get a 6 footer??
I found a new Woods 5 footer today and was told he'd give me a real deal on it because its weathered. He told me $500.00 for it. Is this a good deal for a 5 footer??
No one around me has a 6 footer in stock and they are priced about $975 and up.
So should I go ahead and get the 5 or wait and get the 6 later?? Which one would I be happier with??

Thanks
Bullzi

bczoom · Nov 6, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

Bullzibart,

I don't have a Woods myself, but I'm pretty sure at $500 (new but slight rust), you should grab and go, quickly!!!

I have a 6' but could have gotten by with a 5'. $500 will buy you a cheap one (like I have) but you'll be much happier with a 5' woods than a 6' cheap one.

Bullzibart · Nov 6, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

I think I'll grap the 5 footer on Monday if I can come up with a way to get it home. I don't think it'll fit into the back of my Tahoe. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I think the 5 will be big enough for what I need it for but just wanted to see what others had to say. I know bigger is better but don't want something to big and than not like it.

greg_g · Nov 6, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

( No one around me has a 6 footer in stock and they are priced about $975 and up.)
That sounds horribly overpriced. You might be interested in the box blade discussions on THIS PAGE

If you have MFWD with 13.6-16 Rear Tires, JD says the max wheel width is 60.5 inches. Most folks want their blades and rakes to be able to cover their tread marks. I'm thinking you might want to be considering at least a 66" box blade.

//greg//

WCarlson · Nov 6, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

Bullzibart,
I bought a 66 inch Frontier box blade for my 4200 for $550. I like having the box a bit longer than the width of the treads in order to level areas close to buildings, trees or other obstructions. I think you will find a 60 inch blade a bit short for a 4210 or 4200 and you may be pennywise and pound foolish to get a 60" box just because it is a few dollars less expensive.
Bill

tc33brad · Nov 6, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

When I bought my tractor [tc33] last year I went with a Woods box blade 65/66" so that it would cover my rear tires. I have been pleased with it and it's size but it can stop you if you take to aggressive a bite which occassionly happens but is easily rectified with the top hydraulic cylinder. I paid $520 for it but that was before all the steel increases. Good luck in your search and you'll really enjoying using it.

weesa20 · Nov 6, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

If you decide to go with the 60 inch you can probably get it into the back of a tahoe. I just bought a 48" and drove it home in the back of my Trailblazer with plenty of room to spare. Tahoe is a bit bigger the my TB. Took three guys to load it but I unleaded by myself with two 4x4x8s with no scratches to the TB.
I agree with the comments of buying a little wider to cover tracks and/or cut into a slope to level an area.
Good luck,
A

Gary_in_Indiana · Nov 6, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

I have a 4200 with a 60" First Choice box blade that works great. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Remember, the wider your blade, the less you can put in it before your tractor bogs down. I've never once wished for a wider box blade.

As to brands and value for the money, I'm very happy with mine, too. Three years ago I paid around $275 and saw them at that price (or at least still under $300) last summer. Even with higher steel prices, I can't imagine they're even $400 now. Midwest was the manufacturer for First Choice when I bought mine. You might want to check out each of them before you spend $500.

I looked at Woods when I bought my box blade and have to say mine is at least as good in terms of material, fit and weld quality with a far, far superior finish. Mine is a Deere green powder coat that would still look new if I hosed it off. At the time I bought mine they were available in JD green, Kubota/Kioti orange, New Holland blue and Massey, et al red.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

rswyan · Nov 7, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

( I found a new Woods 5 footer today and was told he'd give me a real deal on it because its weathered. He told me $500.00 for it. Is this a good deal for a 5 footer?? )

I paid $575 for a new Woods GB60 (think that's the model number) 5' box blade when I bought our tractor this past May. It was not weathered at all. I suspect the price was somewhat discounted since I was buying a TLB at the same time.

Bullzibart · Nov 7, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

I just put the tape on the back of the tractor and its 4' 8" wide so the 5 footer will be big enough. I just found another one for $635.00 and to order a 6 footer it'll be $755.00 so 500 doesn't seem to bad but not the greatest either. I'll go take a look at it in the next day or so and see if maybe I can get it for less.

Henro · Nov 7, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

Bullzibart,

My limited experience with my boxblade is that if you are really going to work it, and if your tractor is not reall heavy and likely to lose traction when required to pull hard, then getting the narrowest box that still is wider than your rear tires is the way to go.

Sounds like the 60" in your case would be the winner...that price is not that much more than what KingKutters are going for now around here with the steel price increases.

greg_g · Nov 7, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

( I just put the tape on the back of the tractor and its 4' 8" wide so the 5 footer will be big enough. )
If so, a five footer seems logical. But why would JD list the width of your rear track at 60.5 inches? Have you narrowed the rear wheel width for some reason? Or is the JD stats page just wrong?

//greg//

Bullzibart · Nov 8, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

That is a good question.. The dealer told me that they would put the rear tires at their widest postion. How could I tell if they are out are at the widest?

greg_g · Nov 8, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

( That is a good question.. The dealer told me that they would put the rear tires at their widest postion. How could I tell if they are out are at the widest? )
Just going by THE MANUAL , and as I said - under the assumption that you've got 4wd with standard tires. That said, the DIMENSIONS section lists
Model 4210 MFWD with 13.6-16 Rear Tires and 24x8.5-14 Front Tires
Wheelbase 1,7 m (65.0 in.)
Overall Length w/ 3-Point Hitch 3 m (117 in.)
Overall Width (Minimum) 1,4 m (56.7 in.)
Overall Width (Maximum) 1,5 m (60.5 in.)
Inside Width (Minimum) 68 cm (26.6 in.)
Inside Width (Maximum) 76 cm (30.1 in.)

That said, the Model 4210 2WD with 12.4-16 Rear Tires and 4.00-15 Front Tires min/max width is listed as 53/58.4 inches respectively.

The 56 inches you measured tentatively matches up with the 4wd minimum spec. I'm pretty sure JDs width specs represent an outside sidewall to outside sidewall measurement. Think of it like, what is the narrowest door that I can drive this thing through.

If you measure again, and find it comes up short of the appropriate max spec, a conclusion could be drawn that
a) the JD manual is wrong, or
b) the selling dealer told you a fairy tale
So it might be a good idea to find out if you're actually set for max width BEFORE you select your implements.

//greg//

Henro · Nov 8, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

 a) the JD manual is wrong, or 

I think we can safely say the manual IS wrong to some degree, as the conversion from meters to inches is in error.

1.4 meters converts to 55.12 inches wide.

1.5 meters converts to 59.06 inches wide.

In any case, if the max width as listed in inches would turn out to be 60.5 inchs, that would only be 1/4 inch on a side. I don't think I would worry about that too much.

The 60" box blade might actually not be 60 inches wide anyway, could be a little more or a little less. Probably best to get a measurement of the actual width of the box blade as well as the tractor just to be sure before purchasing...

On line length conversion is available here...

Bullzibart · Nov 8, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

Sorry if this sounds alittle on the dumb side but can I tell just by looking at the tires if they are at their widest position? Right now from outer edge to outer edge is 4' 8" ( 56 inches ). Its on a JD 4210 4wd with R4 tires.

greg_g · Nov 9, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

I was hoping Henro would answer, cuz I haven't owned a JD for several years now. But really, the questions you're asking are all covered in the 4210 manual. THIS SECTION is called "Changing Wheel Spacing and Tread Width

//greg//

Bullzibart · Nov 9, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

 . THIS SECTION is called "Changing Wheel Spacing and Tread Width


If I'm reading this right than the valve stems are what I'm looking at. To be in the wide position the front stems need to be inside and the rear to the outside. If I remember right the wheels are not at their widest.

Thanks for posting that link seems I have more time on the net than being able to pull out the manual.

Went and looked at the box scraper yesterday and still not sure if I'll get it. The paint is some what faded with a little surface rust but still looks good. Just not sure how well it'll work around here for what needs to be done.
Thanks again
Bullzi

greg_g · Nov 9, 2004

Re: 60\" box scraper

( If I'm reading this right than the valve stems are what I'm looking at. )
You've got to read the whole thing. The "valve stem test" is only valid if you've got one piece rims. With them, they're either normal or reversed; concave or convex. A large percentage of front rims are one piece, and I think all turf tire rims are one piece.

Rear ag and industrial tires are another story. If you've got modular rims, you can have up to eight rear track options. There's a diagram to demonstrate how that works. This is why you have to read farther down to see if your rim/tire combo is listed in the optional width charts.

//greg//