Box Scraper Box Blade as FEL Counterbalance on Compact Tractors (Beta version)

[tractorshopper]

Okay experts... I don't need another counterbalance for my BX. My BH does just fine. But I am in the market for a box blade. I assume a 48in is appropriate width (w/ wheel spacers my rear stance is about 48in), but wondering about brands/models? Suggestions?

I have a medium duty 5' Dirt Dog with my BX-2380. That was my weight compromise as opposed to if I bought a 4 or 4.5 foot, I'd go heavier duty for the extra weight. I primarily maintain our gravel road with it and my BX will pull a full load of gravel up our hill with it. If it was heavier by itself, I'd spin more and run out of juice uphill.

I also use it for reshaping our clay soil in some applications. Works well for that as well.

Had a 6' heavy duty Dirt Dog when I had my L3800. It was very useful and matched well.

 

[Handloader109]

48" Tiller seems to work well for me, as does the backhoe.

With a paved driveway, I really have no use for a box Blade that I know of. Some other form of blade or drag to smooth tilled ground ... maybe. At least until or unless I can get used to using the loader for that process.

That's my counterweight too.

 

[not2old]

Okay experts... I don't need another counterbalance for my BX. My BH does just fine. But I am in the market for a box blade. I assume a 48in is appropriate width (w/ wheel spacers my rear stance is about 48in), but wondering about brands/models? Suggestions?

I bought a six foot box blade for my GC2610 which is similar to a BX. I wish I had gotten a five footer and may cut it down. I only have a 150 foot driveway so don't use it a lot and feel that it might work better if I was a better operator. I bought a quick hitch to make the attachment process easier as I had lots of trouble with both the box blade and tiller.

 

[WranglerX]

A possible issue in adding box blade or tiller or mower as counter balance is it makes tractor combo LONGER, in many cases (woods) that may not be most desirable situation, while yes it will work, in my situation I don't think its viable, a more compact ballast is desired in my situation...

Dale

 

[tcreeley]

Fill the rears?

It is rare that I can lift the rear tires with the FEL. Then it is because I am lifting an attached fallen tree that I did not realize was still attached.

 

[CMV]

Fill the rears?

It is rare that I can lift the rear tires with the FEL. Then it is because I am lifting an attached fallen tree that I did not realize was still attached.

Depends on the loader really. And size of the rear tires, overall machine weight too. I can easily get my rears off the ground with just loaded rears if nothing on the back. Kubota MX will do same & i'm sure many others - those are only two I've experienced though. My smaller LS wouldn't - it ran out of lift before it could get the loaded rears off the ground - but would be too light in the back to go anywhere that way.

Had an example yesterday - I was lifting one side of this platform up a little to put it up on cap blocks. No idea what it weighs, but not insane weight, and I was only tilting it up, not lifting entire thing off ground. Shooting bench wasn't up there at the time either. But pallet forks that high, weight 1/3 distance from tips, and was really surprised when the arse end got real light on me - was not expecting that at all.

 

[WranglerX]

Had a situation a few months ago where my JD L120 died out on back portion of property, and I used my GC 1715 with FEL to retrieve it sort of wedged in FEL.... Had it about 2 feet off ground and as I started to step off tractor the tractor started to tip down in front, and had to get back on to get rear wheels back on ground and stable and lower FEL.... MY 220 pounds made a lot of difference in tractor balance with 520 pound weight (JD specifications) in FEL... Proves FEL can lift more weigh then tractor can safely handle with out rear ballast.... About 600-700 pounds additional ballast here I come...

Point is the implement on rear may not be heavy enough if you have serious load in FEL...

Dale