Bent Box Blade

ALBALD1 · Dec 21, 2005

I've got a cheap 5ft boxblade. I think the brand was International. It was just like $350. Used it last summer to level a small area for one of those temporary pools. I just used it to break loose the top 8-10 inches of soil. The bars that go to the side hitches bent outward & raised the blade part off the ground. I guess i wasn't paying enough attention till i noticed it wasn't pushing dirt. the ground was hard, but it never hesitated or spun a tire. I can straighten & brace them, but it don't seem like it should bend that easily. Did I do something wrong or is it just the cheap box?

JerryG · Dec 21, 2005

Did I do something wrong or is it just the cheap box? 
Light duty only. Most if not all low end Box blades have to light of steel in them to hold up to any real work.

dieselmotorhead · Dec 22, 2005

I ended up getting a 84" blade. the weight is around 725# ( woods or frontier- same exact specs BB84???). But it cost around 1250$ anything new in steel will run over 1$ a pound. More for better/non-chineese. I dont think I can hurt this one to easily. It will slow/stop the tractor in muddy conditions. But I am traction limited by the R-4 tires. Tires filled. FEL so I should be around 5500-6000# exclusive of the box blade. Get heavier, go norrow if needed but go heavy.

Slippy · Dec 22, 2005

I have a really heavy duty box blade and bent it. It can happen. I caught mine on a low cut stump. Just have to watch. As said, lighter duty the more easy to bend.

rpeter · Dec 23, 2005

Anybody care to weigh in as to how heavy a box blade needs to be? What would be the weight of a Light versus Medium versus Heavy weight 5 ft. box blade /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bob_Skurka · Dec 23, 2005

( Anybody care to weigh in as to how heavy a box blade needs to be? What would be the weight of a Light versus Medium versus Heavy weight 5 ft. box blade /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )

Weights will vary from brand to brand depending on how they are constructed, but Midwest make some nice equipments and they make it in Light, Standard and Heavy Duty.

A typical LIGHT duty blade will use 3/16th thick side plates and something like 10 gauge steel for the rear moldboard. The "a" frame assembly may be simple bar stock.

A typical STANDARD duty box blade will use 1/4" thick side plates, 3/16th inch moldboard. The lower pins will be fully captured clevis type and the "a" frame assembly will be very solid.

A typical HEAVY duty box blade is going to have 3/8ths inch thick side plates, the moldboard will be 3/16th or even 1/4". The "a" frame assembly will be built like a tank. There will likely be several reinforcement points from the front to the rear to keep the box square. Even heavier duty versions will include hydraulic scarifiers and typically those blades are even stouter built.

Here is a photo comparison you may want to look at Box Blade Photo Comparison

wushaw · Dec 24, 2005

My last BB was 65" and 515lbs rated Med duty and the one I have now is 66", 830lbs and rated for industral use with Hyd scarfiers...it is a beast /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif