Box Blade Choices

[John_Mc]

Mark -

I may not be as expert as others on this forum, but I'd have to disagree with the recommendation to go with a 5 ft box blade. I do think it is important to cover your tracks with the box. The key is traction. You need Ag tires or R4's. Turfs will spin too easily in all but ideal conditions (chains would probably help. Filled rear tires or rear wheel weights are a good idea (the weight of the box blade doesn't help traction when thebox is dragging on the ground).

I have a 6 ft box blade that I pull behind a NH TC33D (33 HP, approx 2500# tractor plus filled R4 rear tires). I use it to maintain 1300 ft of gravel road, and have put in a couple of drainage swales, and regraded some ground near my house site. The only time I've had traction problems is when it's probably too wet to be out there any way. The 5 ft box will definitely be too small when you move up to the TC35.

John_Mc

 

[RJohnson]

Mark
Here is another site you may wish to visit that gives more information on a GradeMaster type of implement <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ellisequipment.com/grademaster.html>http://www.ellisequipment.com/grademaster.html</A> It is very similiar to the Roadrunner picture.
I believe they are actually made down here in Forney, Texas

Randy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The most common reason for wanting a rear blade more than a box blade is the fact that you can side-cast with it. For example, angle the blade and push the snow to the side of your driveway. At the same price tier, rear blades are generally lighter than box blades, and stick out much further in back.

A standard box blade with scarifiers makes a pretty good complement to a front loader because the box can loosen hard dirt so you can scoop it with the loader.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

John,
Thank you for your input. My JD 950 is running turf tires and they are the Galaxy style which are fairly narrow and I don't believe that they are filled. They were on it last spring when I bought it. So !! Traction may well be an interesting question I will have to consider.
My JD 950 with the rear wheels at their outer most position is approximatly 74" wide, so even a 6' would just about cover the tire tracks. If the 6' may be a problem traction wise then the 7' is definatly out of the question, except for maybe the TC35D.
I was trying to out think the future with one purchase. At this stage, with this tractor, I may not be able to do that. I may have to buy the equipment that this tractor will handle and worry about the TC35D and it's implements when that time comes.

 

[gator]

Mark,
All the adds I've seen for that type of blade said it was mainly designed with the multiple blades for removing and helping prevent the washboard ripples in roads.The adds said this type did better than regular box blades for washboard.I first had a rear blade on my tractor, then bought a JD BB and haven't put my rear blade on since.My BB weighs maybe 200 lbs more than my rear blade.Like you and the others have said, I always keep it on my tractor for ballast, and usually don't plan on using it at times, but usually end up using it anyway.The BB is definately my most used attachment. Just my opinion.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Thank you one and all for your input and advice. Is anybody aware of a website for Gannon box blades ?
I have searched high and low and I find lots of referance to Gannon blades, buy I can't seem to find there website. Maybe they don't have one.
I am trying to locate Gannon dealers near my home area.

 

[John_Mc]

Gannon is made by Woods: http:// www.woodsonline.com

I believe Gannon is the top of the Woods line for Box Scrapers.

John_Mc

 

[gerard]

I need to clarify my earlier post - When you said 27 hp I assumed based on that size that your wheels would be covered by a 5 ft box. (My 2500DT is about 27 hp and even with the wheels at their widest I can cover my tracks with a 5 footer). It IS preferable to be able to cover your tracks and you probably can use a 6 footer. (I use a 7foot blade med duty with no problem even though the tractor is rated for a 6 footer)

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I am just courious. If I am scraping my gravel driveway with a box or a blade, and have pickups and cars going in and out at least ten times a day. Why do I need to cover my tractor tracks when I scrape?

 

[ewoss3]

for driveway repair you don't need to cover tracks but if you do any finish grading in your yard it looks really bad to have a nice smooth center with ag tracks on either side