Grading back blade vs.toothbar

[Anonymous Poster]

I'm looking to make trails through my 27 acre woods in Mass. with my B2150 with loader and backhoe. I asked my local Boda dealer about getting a toothbar to cut through the ground easier. He suggested that for roughly the same money a backblade would do a better job. Of course I would have to remove the backhoe(woods 650 frame mount) to install. I've never removed the BH and don't know how much time it will take. Any ideas from those that have tried this? Maybe I don't need either.

 

[Rick Jay]

Hi,

I'm assuming your dealer is refering to a "boxblade". A good, heavy boxblade will be a bit more than the toothbar and does have the disadvantage that you'll have to remove the backhoe to use it. However, on the plus side, I think it might work better than the loader/toothbar combo and the boxblade serves as a good ballast for other loader operations.

On the other hand, if you hit a stump that will require removal with the backhoe, you'll have to return later to take care of that. Actually, it might be better to go in first with the backhoe and remove the big stuff, then use the boxblade to smooth out all the bumps.

I don't know what's involved with removal of your backhoe, but on my B2910 with Woods 7500 and subframe, I can usually mount or dismount the backhoe in 10-15 minutes, depending mostly on whether or not Mr. Murphy is looking over my shoulder. Putting on the 3 pt. hardware is another couple of minutes.

One thing that helps is to remove the backhoe on a paved, flat surface. I keep mine in the garage on a dolly, so it's easy to maneuver when off the tractor.

I don't have to worry about trail maintenance, so I'm just speculating here.

~Rick

 

[theboman]

A box blade or a regular old rear blade would work wonders on maintaining and/or making trails. A backhoe is great for digging and as I learned on TBN a lift for logs, but cuttin' a trail it'll not be used but certain situations. Want a 5' wide or 6' wide trail seems to be a popular size rear blade.
The box blade will handle many of the smaller root systems but if it's a trail, those roots shouldn't be a problem unless they are huge, shallow or above ground like many roots grow in the wilderness.
My suggestion is some type of blade, and won't the backhoe get in the way of tree limbs along the trail as you use the FEL?

 

[GregJ]

I have a BH and removeable toothbar. I have done a fair amount of clearing with the toothbar and it seems to work very well for me. I also like having the BH available in case I need it. I take my BH off regularly and have it down to about 5 minutes to remove and 15-20 minutes to install. That is after a lot of practice. I would still prefer to clear with a toothbar and have the BH ready to use. Just my opinion. Also, my toothbar was less than half the price of a box blade.

Greg

 

[bcarter]

I have a toothbar which I have used extensively for doing this kind of work. It works great for tearing up the small brush... I have no idea how a box blade would handle this since I have no experience.

If the "backblade" that you are talking about is just a straight landscape blade that attaches to the rear of the tractor, I can attest from personal experience that it will NOT do as good a job as the toothbar for ripping up "stuff". It will however to a much better job that the toothbar/loader when it comes to grading things off after the "stuff" has been removed. ...again from personal experience, I don't know how a "backblade" would compare to a box blade for grading, but from what I've read, a box blade would be the tool of choice.

I have the same problem with my BH that you have described. I usually take mine off in the winter (to put on the blade for snow plowing) and put it on in the spring (so I can do the "real" work). Coming off is much faster than going on...but neither is really hard. Although, I do try to schedule my "blade" jobs for early spring or late fall to minimize the change-overs.

What ever way you decide to go...enjoy the seat time!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

HI,

I have both a tooth bar for my loader and a box blade. I think you would be very happy to have both for making those trails.

Rather than being mutually exclusive, they are complimentary...

I would get a box blade that was wider than the rear tires for sure. The backhoe [I also have one] could be used if you find some really hard stuff to dig out which the loader can't handle.

Here we only have four acres, but I have found the need to use all three [loader.backhoe and box blade] and they each have thier turn.

Have fun and enjoy the improvements you make to your property!

PS...the backhoe is not too hard to put on and off. You just need to know the right sequence. If you search here you will find some older posts from about a year ago that explains this and they sure helped me!