84" or 96" rear blade behind L3240

[kub32guy]

I am looking at purchasing a rear blade for ditching, grading and snow plowing. The main use would be maintaining 1/2 mile shale driveway. I am not sure the 84" would cover my 6' foot path when angled all the way, but don't want to overkill it with a 96". I have a 7' foot woods BB and the tractor handles it fine. Am I correct in thinking I wouldn't be pulling a bigger head of material with a 96" rear blade than I would with heaping full 7' BB ? Landpride RBT35 series or woods RB750 or RB850 are my choices as of now(I want the option of adding hydraulics down the road.) Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I pull a Land Pride RB84 behind my L3940. At moderate angles, it covers tracks. At max angle, it does not. I would be concerned that the 96" blade would cause a 'rudder' effect and steer the front of the tractor. Philip.

 

[Baby Grand]

I run a 7' KK behind my L3240. It's a pretty good match for me. Angled all the way it just covers my tracks - about 62" with ag tires the width they are set at. As Philip suggests, the rudder effect gets noticeable when working deep soil or wet snow. It's also just about nerve wracking enough backing into the garage with it set at a right angle. I'm sure there would be some splainin' to do if I had the 8 foot blade.
-Jim

 

[PHILIP8N]

Here are some ideas for hydraulics. Philip.

 

[kub32guy]

Thanks for the replies. Not cover tracks or deal with "rudder" effect...Hmmm. I was thinking of making a couple of large hooks for the front bucket that would accept a bar for forks(similar setup we have on our 953's 963's at work). I wonder if I make a weight box for these hooks that easy could be set down if I needed the bucket, maybe that weight in front would reduce or stop rudder effect? What are your thoughts?

 

[kub32guy]

Thanks Philip, but I eventually want all three functions(offset, tilt, and angle) to hydraulic. My driveway is #1 purpose for tractor.

 

[kub32guy]

Has anyone else made a hook setup similar to what I described it seems it would be very handy(forks, ballast, carryall)?

 

[Jay4200]

I am looking at purchasing a rear blade for ditching, grading and snow plowing. The main use would be maintaining 1/2 mile shale driveway. I am not sure the 84" would cover my 6' foot path when angled all the way, but don't want to overkill it with a 96".

There is no reason to worry about covering your path if you are dragging a blade behind your tractor. You only need to worry about covering your path if you are driving behind the implement (like driving behind a snowblower). If you want to be able to swing the blade around and drive backwards like a bulldozer (which doesn't work all that well, BTW), then you would need to cover your tracks, though you likely won't be doing anything like that with the blade fully angled.

JayC

 

[kub32guy]

The concern for path coverage was more for snow plowing. Although it would also be nice when clear out my patio area for my pavers. Thanks for the advice.

 

[LD1]

If you were only talking snow, I'd say the 96, but since dirt and gravel are also a priority, I'd stick with the 84. ESPECIALLY for ditching and when drying to create a grade, the rudder steer makes it very hard to get desired results. The weight up front doesnt help much. About the only thing that works well to fight "rudder steer" is using brake steering. I am not familiar with the GL HST's, do they even have split braking??