Snow anyone use a box blade for snow?

2305JD · Mar 8, 2008

Hi Guys,

I am in the midst of buying a new tractor. Probably going to end up with JD 2320 and I was going to get a box blade with it. Dealer has both 5' and 4' frontier box blade which he is offering for the same price.

I currently just use the FEL on my 2305 for snow but it takes a while. I was going to buy a 5' or 6' rear blade but it would be only for snow. I really dont want extra equipment sitting around so I'm wondering if a 5' box blade would be okay for doing snow in conjunction with a FEL. I know you lose the ability to angle the blade and I'm not sure if the box blade would get too full of snow and bog done the machine.

any comments would be great.

Thanks guys...

Tritonman · Mar 8, 2008

I think you should save your money. It will fill up and turn into a block and you will waste more time trying to get it out.

Tig · Mar 8, 2008

I used a box blade last winter. It's all I had. As mentioned it fills up fast. I used to skim with the FEL and drag the BB behind. After I dump the FEL load I would back up and scoop what the BB dragged along and dump that. It was also good to be able to drop the BB at the garage door and drag snow out. This saved me the trouble of turning around.
Bottom line if you need a box blade in summer get it for that purpose. You can leave it on the tractor in winter as ballast and use it if you like. Don't get a BB just for clearing snow.

Tig · Mar 8, 2008

oops double post. Deleted.

DreaminGreen · Mar 8, 2008

Used a BB for the first time this season. Used it mostly going in reverse saved time not having to turn the tractor around to move a pile of snow. Also I set the angle of the BB so the rear blade on the box was up about an inch off the ground that made it easy to clear area's with unfrozen gravel and grass going in reverse. Mostly it just made a good counter weight...not great for snow but it is usable.

jcmseven · Mar 8, 2008

2305,

Especially where you live, I would not consider a BB for this use alone. Moving snow with it is a slow and miserable experience. I believe almost everyone with a CUT needs a box blade, but I believe you would be unhappy with it for this purpose. Unfortunately, the 2000 series machines have limited options for snow removal. The 54" front blade is great and would work perfectly, but it is expensive and requires the removal of your loader. The rear blade is good but pales to a front blade for snow. A blower would be best, but is expensive and only can do one task for you. Perhaps you could see if an aftermarket company would have a small boom mounted blade to try for your machine, but I really do not think you would be happy with a FEL/BB combo for snow removal, especially up north.

John M

browns40 · Mar 8, 2008

Hi 2305,

The Box Blade is great for removing snow on paved surfaces--it will take you down to bare pavement--much cleaner than a plow will. It is also great for backing up to doors, "dead-ends" & entrances to pull snow out from areas. Another plus is you can move snow forward or backward.

The drawback, as mentioned, is that it fills up quickly going forward, then must be backed over and loaded/pushed to it's final resting place. This becomes especially tedious during moderate & up snow events (4+ inches).
For light snow, it works great.

I have a 9'2" Boss V-plow that does the lion's share of snow moving now, but have had great success (not quickly mind you!) when only using the FEL/BB set-up on the tractor, and still prefer the finished result when using it.

It is a definite step-up over just the loader, but nowhere near as nice as an angled front blade... if you enjoy your seat time regardless of weather, and want one of the best multi-purpose implements out there, go for the Box Blade.

flyngti · Mar 9, 2008

2305JD said:
Dealer has both 5' and 4' frontier box blade which he is offering for the same price.

If they're the same price, definitely go for the 5'er. The 2320 can pull it just fine even with it's full to the top with material.

2305JD · Mar 9, 2008

Thanks for all the advice guys. When you read the frontier literature it says the 2305 and 2320 are rated for a 4' box blade and the 5' is for the 2520. I know the 2520 is a bit bigger animal but the 2320 looks like it could handle a 5' to me.

As far as using it for snow I kind of thought it would be an issue filling up fast as was mentioned it seems like a multi purpose tool. I guess I could give it a try and if it didnt work pick up a rear blade later on. It's been 2 winters so far with my 2305 and just the FEL and I've managed so adding anything would help.

thanks...

GordNovo · Mar 9, 2008

Hello, been reading these posts and have some of my own comments to add to help with your decision. I had a 2305 for a couple of years and I used my 5' bb to clear snow.

- the BB allows you to push as well as pull. Accomplishing this with a regular blade can be a real hassle.

- If you're gonna push/pull snow around get chains for your 2305. This makesa a huge difference with how much snow you could push backwards with the bb. I experienced winters both with and without chains on my 2305, and i'd say it's like gaining at least double the pushing/pulling power in the snow. Plus you get stuck a lot less.

- i agree witht the comments that you should consider the BB for snow only if you need the BB for summer work. I also agree with the comment that everyone who owns a CUT (who uses a CUT for what it's designed to do, that is) should have a BB. Granted, the 2305 is a sub-CUT, but same idea.

- it's not ideal for large snow falls, you end up moving the same piles around over and over, but this is the same problem you'd face with a regular blade....

- for heavier snows, I use my snow blower to get rid of the deep stuff or the accumulated piles on the edge of the driveway.

- if you get a lot of hard pack snow you want to remove before spring starts, the scarifiers on a BB do a great job. much better than a toothbar did on the front end loader. We have horses and they stand and do their business in one main area.. which also happens to be an areas where a lot of snow blows in. Over time, the snow gets packed down and over a foot deep. Just yesterday I used my BB to chip the mound back down to dirt. Don't even think about this kind of task for a blade.

Bottom Line: If you're going to need a BB for summer work, don't bother wth a blade as well for snow removal. If you get a lot of snow, the BB or blade will not be your tool of choice. You should consider a snowblower.

Good luck!