Bought Frontier 5072 Box Blade, First Impressions

ritcheyvs · Mar 23, 2014

I have been shopping for a box blade for my DK45S (ref:http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/303331-everything-attachments-box-blade.html). I took a long look at the Everything Attachments "utility" model but finally bought the 5072 from the local Deere dealer. The Frontier blade is about the same weight (just under 500 lb) as the ETA blade and looks well made (all welded) although it lacks some of the nice ETA features, like gussets between the front and rear blades, contoured scarifier holes, and stand-up brackets for the scarifier pins. The ETA model had thicker moldboard but the Frontier had thicker end plates, probably a wash. But delivery on an ETA blade seemed cumbersome while the Deere dealer just loaded it into the back of my truck for $795 plus tax; he had five of the 5072s sitting on the lot. Several folks recommended a heavier-duty blade but my current needs are modest so I'll see how this standard duty blade works.

I used the 5072 for a couple of hours Friday. The blade did fine but I still have a lot to learn, technique-wise. The one smart thing I did was to get a hydraulic top link from Brian. After playing with the blade and then reading this tutorial thread, I concluded that top-link adjustment is the key to box-blade use. I'll "practice" some more when things dry out. Of course any advice or guidance would be welcome.

Oh yes, it's green. I'll just have to learn to live with that.

MtnViewRanch · Mar 23, 2014

Before you go out again, look at the BB from the side and think about what happens when the box is level. Both cutting edges hitting the ground evenly. Then tilted a little forward, and then a little backward. If you then go out and try using the box in those 3 positions, you will see for yourself what the outcome is with the box in each of those positions. From that little bit of knowledge you can then look at the chore at hand, see what needs to be done, adjust the box so that it will do what needs to be done.

In the beginning you may have to actually "think" about what has to be done. Get some time in and it will become almost automatic. Once you master that, you will want that hydraulic side link.

bullbreaker · Mar 23, 2014

Don't know if they still are but Frontier box blades used to be made by Woods. :thumbsup:

ritcheyvs · Mar 24, 2014

bullbreaker said:
Don't know if they still are but Frontier box blades used to be made by Woods. :thumbsup:

The current Woods standard box blade (BSS72) looks more rugged (solid plates for top link) and weighs about 75 lb more (according to the Woods catalog). Woods may make the Frontier blade but it's not the same as the Woods blade.

bullbreaker · Mar 24, 2014

ritcheyvs said:
The current Woods standard box blade (BSS72) looks more rugged (solid plates for top link) and weighs about 75 lb more (according to the Woods catalog). Woods may make the Frontier blade but it's not the same as the Woods blade.

I hear Ya. Here's a Frontier BB I use to own, when I bought it it came with a plastic tube mounted on it inside was a manual about it made by Woods.
See what you mean I navigated over to Woods site and looks like they have switched to Gannon BB's.

BB1184

ritcheyvs · Mar 24, 2014

bullbreaker said:
I hear Ya. Here's a Frontier BB I use to own, when I bought it it came with a plastic tube mounted on it inside was a manual about it made by Woods. ...

I looked at the instructions inside the plastic tube but everything said Frontier (no Woods). But when I compared the Frontier instructions to the Woods instructions, the similarities were everywhere. So it's plausible that Woods makes this blade for Deere, like so many Kenmore appliance at Sears.