box blade advice

[horses2]

I have a Kubota MX5100 HST (4wd). I am looking to purchase a box blade and was looking for advice on size. would this tractor be able to pull a 6 ft box blade? the loader is 6 ft and I can dig some pretty good holes with it.
I am looking to prep a dirt path to be able to put down gravel and an looking to go about 4 inches deep and 10 ft wide.

any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Scrambler82]

I use the wheelbase as a gauge, assuming the HP is there.
My tractor is 54", I am buying a 60" attachment, this size allows for the tractor and a little to each side of the wheels.

IMHO... If the tractor is 72" wide, then maybe you need the 84" unit.

Again IMHO... If the HP is there, around 40, if it starts to bog down you can lift the box blade a little allowing more to material to be released.

My comments are based on my own thoughts and reading on this site, so take everything for what it is worth just my opinion.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

A box blade should cover your rear tire tracks. The tricky part with a box blade is getting a heavy enough one to begin with. Iirc the recommendation is 100lbs/ft minimum for it to work halfway decent. If you can afford/find heavier than this it's well worth it!

 

[nybirdman]

I have a similar sized Kubota(L4240 HSTC) and a six ft. box blade.The only time my tractor has been in low range was pulling my BB;it handled it fine but it was a load for sure.You should be fine with a six ft.

 

[Threepoint]

Power wise, I would think your MX5100 would handle a 6' BB with ease, even with the scarifying teeth down to dig as you describe. In fact, your tractor's powerful and heavy enough to damage a light duty 6' BB if you're not very careful with it, e.g. TSC's County Line model. I pull a 7' Woods BSM84 BB (750 lbs - medium duty) with my 45 hp Kioti with no problems. I'm in low range a lot with a full load of wet material.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I use a 6' Gannon box blade with hydraulic rippers with my Kioti DK50SE, and it handles it fine. The box blade weighs about 1,100 pounds. If I take too big a bite, I can stop the tractor dead in its tracks, but you can do that with any box blade. You just have to learn to use the tool within its limits.

 

[Degolyerent]

I have a Kubota MX5100 HST (4wd). I am looking to purchase a box blade and was looking for advice on size. would this tractor be able to pull a 6 ft box blade? the loader is 6 ft and I can dig some pretty good holes with it.
I am looking to prep a dirt path to be able to put down gravel and an looking to go about 4 inches deep and 10 ft wide.

any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

I have a MX4700 and I have a Gill 76" wide that weighs 1,100 lbs. I can stop with full box of dirt and start again. I have other blades that are around 700-800 lbs. and the Gill is my choice. I grade for a living.
John

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much what everyone else said, I've used box scrapers of different size and weights over the years and still have 4', 6' and 7' models. I've found through experience, my own as well as really helpful TBN members that proper weight is essential for really good work. I initially bought a Land Pride BB2584 for my L5030 thinking it would be fine. I added additional weight which helped, but it still was not really good for digging. I finally bit the bullet and replaced it was a 7' 1100 pound unit along with fluid in the tires and wheel weights; works great.

One with hydraulic rippers is really handy, but expensive, many really find a roll over box scraper a great option as they are very versatile and the cost is a bit cheaper. They are not practical for me, but a good choice for many.

As mentioned, learning to use a scraper properly is really important and though I've got a lot of hours still have a ways to go compared to a lot of members.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I have the same tractor and an 84' landpride BB that it handles with ease! I would think 6' would be way undersized.

 

[TerryR]

I use the wheelbase as a gauge, assuming the HP is there.

The wheelbase of a vehicle is the distance between its front and rear wheels, and so has nothing to do with the width of the blade one needs. What matters, as you explain further, is the width of the rear wheels, not their distance from the fronts.

However, you are not alone in this mistake. DR continues to talk about the wheelbase of a tractor as a factor in selecting it's offset fence row mower when it means the width of the rear wheels.