Box Blade Choices

[Mark_in_NH]

I am sure most of you are getting sick of answering this question, but I will ask it anyway. I have decided that I want to remove my sub frame backhoe when it is not needed and know that i want and need to replace tha rear counter weight that it provided me.
I could construct or buy a weight box, but common sense and yankee frugality tells me to have a rear weight that servers a multiple purpose. So, I am thinking box blade or a rear blade, in the 6' range for my JD 950, 27 HP. to be replaced someday with a TC35D.
What have all of you found th be the better choice of the two, for general grading use and for it's counter weight abilitys ?
In the area of Box Blades, I am aware of the most common design that I seem to see everywhere, but I stumbled accross this design in the recent copy of the "Equipment Today" magazine. It is made by a company called Roadrunner at www.roadrunner.com. (Photo Attached ) It's design is interesting and I have sent for there FREE video. The one downside I can see is it's length compared to a normal box blade would make it less manuverable in tight quarters.
Any ideas, advice or suggestion would be most appreciated.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Here is another picture of it from there website, being used.
I know nothing yet about it's weight or cost.

 

[MikePA]

Are you sure about that URL?

 

[mikim]

I've seen those and think they'd be great for grading / smoothing a drive - but seems limited to just that - I do a lot more heavy stuff with my box blade so this just wouldn't do.
mike

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Mike, Try it this way, this was copied right from there website.
http://www.roadrunnerblade.com/index.html

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.roadrunnerblade.com/index.html/>Roadrunner</A>

 

[Mark_in_NH]

mikim, I rather like the design of this in the respect that it appears very easy to modify if one wanted to increase the weight. But I do have to agree with you. Although I have Never used a box blade, I can see from there designs that a regular style would be more versatile.
Other then smoothing my own driveway and possibly a little light work on some of the dirt roads in the development that I do work for. I don't really know what all I would want / need one for at this stage in my life / business.
Please keep the reply's comming, my ears and eyes are open and in need of an education. "Feed Me"

 

[Knight9]

Hi Mark,

There is a product available in our area supplied by <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.conterraindustries.com/>Conterra</A> that is very similiar to the roadrunner product. They always show at our Farm fair here and I stood and watched their video for a while. Pretty nice looking product....pretty $$$$ too!!!

If money was no object...../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Kevin

 

[MarkV]

Mark,
The Roadrunner has been mentioned in the past on the forum and is designed to grade and pull gravel back to the surface in the process. I also remember it being pretty pricey. A box blade has the ability to hold dirt----in the box----and release it where you want. This allows you to cut down the high points and fill the low points as you work a piece of ground. The other advantage to the traditional box blade is the scarifiers that let you break up harder soil to make it workable. The general consensus is to buy the heaviest one you can afford. This not only makes for durability but also the extra weight makes the box blade more affective at cutting the surface. You may want to consider a 5’ model for your size tractor. When a box is full of soil or stone it can get pretty heavy to pull. A search for box blades will give you tons of reading.

Let us know what you think of the video when it comes in.

MarkV

 

[gerard]

I have a 5ft for 27 hp and think 6ft would be too much. Wouldn't hurt anything but would wind up spinning your tires when pulling with a full box. Tough call between a box and blade - both can do things the other can't. Blade is much better for moving snow since you can angle and windrow. Box is better for leveling and filling because stuff doesn't spill out sides and you can have scarifiers. I have both and do use both of them. Clear as mud?? oh, sorry, you wanted an answer!! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Kevin, I will take a look at the Conterra site you mentioned for the educational value. Thank you.

Mark and Gerard, thak you for your input as well.
I am assuming form your recomendations of a 5' model that it is not necessary to have one wide enough to cover the tire tracks as is recomended with other implements. So I will definatly open my mind to a smaller size, i can always sell it or trade it in when I move up to the TC35D.
Today I looked at a used Landpride LR1572 landscape rake w/ no tilt, just angle, at my local NH dealer for $400 w/ no guage wheels. I really don't believe that a landscape rake is what I want for my purpose at this stage, so I believe I will pass on it.
It is still a toss up between the box or a blade, but I think I am leaning more toward a box for my first 3 PH implement.
Thank you all for your input, I will let you know what the video is like when it arrives.
please keep the information coming. I am learning, slow but sure.