Box Scraper Best Box Blade For My Money

[DPTURBO29]

Hello,

I'm a new user and about to purchase my first tractor. It will be an M series Kubota with front wheel assist and the LA1153 loader, but I've not made up my mind between the 5140 and 6040 yet.

In any case the first implement I am planning to purchase is a box blade. My new property (fingers crossed - loan isn't closed) is 64.5 acres that is about 3/4 unimproved woods with a 1/2 mile gravel drive to the house. I'll be using the blade to do general cleanup work around the property and maintain the drive.

My question for everyone is in your collective experiences which manufacturer or brand seems to offer the most in a box blade (weight, construction, features) for the money. I would like it to be as heavy as possible, but know more steel costs more money. I about fell out of my chair when I saw the suggested retail on a 7' Tuffline with the hydraulic scarifiers (can't remember if it was a 30 or 40 series, but it was about 1100 lbs.)

I'll leave the rest to you all. I'm looking forward to your suggestions. Feel free to make any suggestions about blade widths as well. 7' seemed about right to me for the smaller Ms, but I'm open to pros and cons.

Thanks,

Derrick Pace

 

[jenkinsph]

What most of us would telll you is to buy the best boxblade you can afford. Lots of good brands post back with a specific brand and modol along with the tractor choice and you will more input.

 

[Arc weld]

I got a 7' Frontier from the JD dealer. It's actually made by Woods. I think it's an HB 84 model, weighs 739 lbs. and is fairly heavy duty. I think it's rated up to 70 HP. It cost about $1800 a few years ago. The side plates are 3/8" with an additional 3/8" wear strip and the rear blade is on a hinge. In my opinion, the cheap ones with only 1/4" side plates won't hold up if you happen to hit something unexpected. I've had my 135 come to a stop with it and I've got a cab and loader with loaded tires.

 

[DKCDKC]

I maintain a mile drive with a BB mostly, and have for years. I'm rough on them hitting big rocks, big tree roots, etc. Only time I've ever damaged one was backing into a giant boulder fairly fast during heavy snow ( the BB was raised) - but even that only took my friendly farmer a few hours to fix. I have had two inexpensive KK box blades - bought used. For non-commercial use, I just don't think paying more for a basic tool is justified for folks like me. I do use it for some soil work - and even tilt and use the rippers for a preliminary tilling of the garden. I do advocate looking around for used equipment for things like BBs. I do see them on the market sometimes, and you really can see the tool and know what you're getting.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I own a 5' Woods HB 60 that I think is considered medium duty...
It weighs in @ 550# or so...
A good rule of thumb for a box blade is 100# or more per foot for a medium to heavy duty model...
Anything that holds to that weight ratio should be a good unit...
I have been well pleased with my Woods...
Lots of good options out there...

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Our Everything Attachments Severe Extreme box blades are built here in Newton, NC and designed to last for years to come. The sides, tube and hitch are constructed from 3/8" thick steel and the hitch is welded(not bolted) for maximum strength. The shanks on our severe xtreme box blades are mounted behind the main tube to avoid piercing the tube which would only lessen the strength. The hitch brings you Cat I/Cat 2 compatibility and the number of shanks is increased for extra ripping power. We also use the finest US steel and go out of our way to buy American made cutting edges. All of our box blades ship free to a business or supporting freight terminal within 1,000 miles of Newton, NC.

 

[TripleR]

In agreement with Jeninsph, get the best you can afford. I like plenty of weight and your tractor manual will tell you the maximum you can go which is where I am with mine.

 

[DPTURBO29]

Ok, maybe I should rephrase my question. Instead of asking you guys to speculate on what might be best for me I'll ask, "What was best for you?". As some of you have done already, please tell me what brand, model, and size you chose for yourself and why? I'll assume we're all reasonable people with somewhat limited resources. Therefore, the choices you have made will be very informative.


Arc Weld - Thank you for the suggestion of the Frontier. We have a huge JD dealership in the area where I can check them out.

DKCDKC - Excellent recommendation to look at used blades. Sometimes you can run up on a deal. I plan to buy a used rotary cutter because I don't have that much to mow until I get some of the land cleared and sowed.

Everything Attachments - Thank you for your recommendation. I have looked at your blades and they look to be really well built and finished from what I can see. Your product is in the running. I don't want to get way off topic since I started this thread to get some recommendations on box blades, but I've been looking at your new 72" Wicked Root Grapple. I like the idea of it being built lighter to retain FEL lift capacity, but do you think the thinner tine construction will hold up on an approximately 7000 lb. (tractor, loader, ballast, and loaded tires) 4x4 tractor in the 50-60 hp range?

Triple R - what blades do you keep in your inventory for use on your 5740 and 8540?

Thanks,

D.P.

 

[unbidden]

DP,
Nothing the size you are speaking of but I bought a United BB from EveryThingAttachments and am more than happy with the quality and price. I've also spoken to EA on the phone a few times and they are very customer friendly.

 

[TripleR]

We tried a Land Pride BB2584 and it was just too light, good quality but too light. I bought a Land Pride HR3584 to use on both tractors. I really like the hydraulic rippers, but they make one with manually adjusted rippers too. I have TnT on the L5740 and hydraulic top link on the M8540. We use it on roads and other dirt work as well as for ballast. It is pretty expensive though.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

You, asked, I'm answering. Roll-over box blade. :thumbsup: There are for sure better - heavier industrial quality units out there, but a roll-over works very well, use to be what was used for industrial work before the new heavier hydraulic actuated ripper box blades came into existance. You can pull a lever and to change what process you will be doing with the implement. you don't have to constantly change the top link length. Very easy to use, very durable. An implement to consider IMO.

I have 3 of them, all Gannons (no longer made), an 81" for my 75hp tractor, 65" for my 32hp, & a 36" for the garden tractor. There are several dealers for them and have been told that there are 2 manufacturers for them, one a bit heavier than the other. Here is a link to for them.

 

[Xfaxman]

For more weight at the same width, look for a "high back" style.

It will move more dirt also.

 

[DPTURBO29]

Triple R - thanks for the those pics - looks just like the kind of places I'll be on the new property (thick). You're right, that Land Pride is a nice unit, but pretty spendy. Like the Bighorns on that Yamaha - great all around tire.

MtnView - great implement - too bad they're not in production - maybe I can turn something like that up at one of the many farm and industrial auctions around here.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Triple R - thanks for the those pics - looks just like the kind of places I'll be on the new property (thick). You're right, that Land Pride is a nice unit, but pretty spendy. Like the Bighorns on that Yamaha - great all around tire.

MtnView - great implement - too bad they're not in production - maybe I can turn something like that up at one of the many farm and industrial auctions around here.

The roll-overs are still made by bush hog and someone else, there is a link in my previous post that has a link to the units that are now available.

 

[TripleR]

There is a You Tube of someone using a roll over box blade. It is an old unit, but they don't look like they have changed. While I really like my Land Pride, I can see how handy handy one of those things could be especially with an open station, my brothers use the standard type and do an excelent job, but sure spend a ot of time on and off the tractor making adjustments, raising and lowering rippers.

 

[GreenWannabe]

There are three suppliers of rollover box scrapers that I am aware of: Bush Hog (made for them by Dirt Dog), Dirt Dog Mfg, and A&B Eagle Line. Land Pride discontinued theirs about 2005, Woods discontinued the Gill line a couple of years ago, and then discontinued the Gannon Earthcavator shortly after. The Eagle Line models are a few pounds heavier than the Dirt Dog/Bush Hog models. Sweet Farm Equipment (New & Used Farming Tools & Equipment | Tractor Equipment, Farm Implements & More) is a dealer for Dirt Dog, and is an advertiser on this forum.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Here is a link to Eagle line equipment. LANDSCAPE BOX-ROLLOVER 3 POSITION | A&B Eagleline Farm Equipment These are the way to go IMO. Either a RO or jump up to an industrial model at quite a few $$$$ more.

I'm thinking that either the 77" or the 84" would be a good match for either of the tractors that you are considering.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[jenkinsph]

I use two boxblades a small 4ft for my garden tractor made by Cammond and a Frontier/Gannon 7ft for the larger jobs. The Frontier model is a BB1284 which is 1250lbs and is used the most. Here's some pics.

 

[DPTURBO29]

Thank you for all of your feedback - I'll be checking out some of the new suggestions when I get some time tomorrow.

 

[bubbacuse77]

I have a 5' Gill medium duty that I bought off my neighbor for $200. I'm not sure how good of a BB it is compared to others because it is the only one I have ever used. But if you notice one thing in most of the pictures that guys have posted, is Top-N-Tilt kits. They will change your life if you use a box blade enough.