A new project

[LarryT]

When I am not specifically using one of my other 3pt implements, I keep the box blade on the tractor since I use it more than any other implement and because it adds good ballast. The only problem is that the box blade obscures access to the drawbar. I find I need to use the drawbar fairly often to pull my drag (e.g. homeade harrow), move trailers around, pull small trees, and the like. Today I solved my problem. I added a 2" receiver to the box blade. Now I can use different tow attachments without removing the box blade. First, here is the box blade before I started.

Then I cut a hole out of the middle;

Then I welded in a 2" tube to be the receiver;

This is what it looks like from the inside. You'll notice holes in the normal side to side location, and also in the top to bottom location. The latter is for my next project.

And this is what it looks like with a drop hitch installed.

Again, this was a pretty simple project that will save me many hours later on. Tomorrow I'll clean it up, paint it and the new toolbox, and post the final pics. I hope someone finds it interesting.

Larry...

 

[Harv]

Larry -

I feel the same way you do about the box blade. In fact, in my entire 30 hours in the seat, I have yet to remove my box even once. Come spring I'll have to swap in my brush hog and hopefully a sprayer unit, but until then...

I've thought about the conflict with the drawbar, but so far I haven't had to tow or drag anything. I guess it's that ol' "necessity" being the mother of invention, eh?

Nice work and nice photos. And thanks for reminding me I still don't have a welder. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Thomas]

Larry,
Good idea,are you going to make a cap cover.
Looks like you having a good weekend so far puttering w/ you tractor.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[markcg2000]

Brilliant!!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

<font color=green>mark</font color=green>

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

Larry,

Good job, and nice looking welds. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I bet your neighbors drag everthing they break over to your place. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
How are you doing on your project time Vs post time ratio?/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[ERNIEB]

Larry, I have the same problem. Clever idea. How thick is the metal on the box blade? Mine is an EL Cheapo, and is probably too thin. I doubt it would hold up. Maybe a thicker piece of plate welded to the box blade would work for me.

Ernie
"You can plainly see that the Alamo was never built by a military people for a fortress."
Green Jameson, Jan 1836 (in a letter to Sam Houston)

 

[DFB]

Larry, any thoughts on how that setup will affect the load capacity of the 3-point, especially when coupling up a trailer. I've seen it stated for vehicle towing where the use of an hitch extension on a tow assembly reduces the hitch's rating by a 1/3.

 

[Rowski]

Larry do you think you might need a small gusset on the top and bottom? Or is the steel on the back of the scraper strong enough?

Derek

 

[LarryT]

Ernie, my box blade is made of 1/4" steel. I had considered either gussets on each side, or possibly a piece of channel across the box to add strength. Then after thinking about it for awhile, I can't imagine pulling anything that would bend the 1/4". Its not like this is a highway towing rig and I have to be concerned about crash safety or anything. Not only that but if it does bend, then I'll add more steel. This wouldn't be the first project I've ever done that I had to go back and tweak it some more! In fact, thats pretty much the norm....

Larry...

 

[LarryT]

DFB, thinking about the geometry, any extension will change the moment arm (leverage) by reducing it. However, the most weight I can envision would be the weight of the box blade itself plus any tounge weight of a trailer I might be moving. My 3pt is rated at 1300# 24" behind the lift bars (about the width of the box blade itself). Even when I have my tractor or a car on my 16' trailer, I don't want more than 500-600# of tounge weight. That gives me a lot of margin. However, I don't expect to ever move the trailer with a car or tractor on it anyway. Mostly I want to move around a farm wagon that has wheels at each corner in which case there is no tounge weight. I'm more concerned with the "pull" than the "lift" ability. Also, remember that trailer hitches are rated for highway speeds and crash safety. My tractor doesn't go very fast and I don't encounter very much traffic where I use it. Having said that, it still scares the #^$&#* out of me sometimes!

Larry...