box blade for bx1860

[casolorz]

So my wife bought me a bx1860 for my birthday (kubuta dealer messed up and it won't be here until Monday), anyways, and I will need a box blade for it. The kubuta dealer quoted me for $680 a BB0548-82 but I am also looking at something like the United 448SD and 448HD, which are much cheaper, under $500 with free shipping.
So what do you recommend?

--Carlos

 

[bp fick]

LandPride is pricey, but their quality name means a lot. The question you have to ask yourself is whether you need a standard duty or a heavy duty Box Blade. Some of this is predicting your own future behavior based on knowing your own temperament.

Also, the BX1860 is a fine machine and congrats on a great gift!! Sweet.
Do not, do not use implements that overwhelm it. The little beast doesn't so much run out of power as it does traction. Those standard wheels and tires are on the smallish side. Trying to use too large a BB, or rake, or anything just ends in frustration. Lots of smiles and joy when using the appropriate XB sized implements.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I used my KingKutter (not the expensive or the cheapest)brand XB boxblade yesterday with my BX2660. I hit a bunch of rocks and a few stopped my tractor but it has held up well. I've had it for almost 6 years and used it with BX and B's. It is not a Landpride but did not cost as much as a Landpride. If I were buying a Boxblade for an L model tractor, expected to use it alot and on rocky ground, I'd get a Landpride. I don't so I didn't. Check some at a local TSC or Farm King and check how heavy they are and should have heavy welds and fairly thick metal. I consider weight as one of the primary measurement tools for implements but some thing for light use doesn't have to be heavy. Heavy use better be heavy.

 

[TripleR]

I again agree with the sage advice of JOHNTHOMAS. I have a Land Pride for my L5030, but for my BX2660, I have a LMC which is just like a King Kutter and others. I used it for six years on my BX2200 and now two on my 2660 and really can't see a need for a "better" one. Just be sure you get one with the replaceable cutting edges.

 

[fish6942]

If you're going to look at the King Kutter lines, I wouldn't bother with the XB products. It seems they were designed for the older BXs that had lift height limitations.

I use a 4' King Kutter box blade (the yellow one) and it fits up fine to the BX2350 and there is no problem raising it high enough for transport. In addition, the XB line is typically more expensive than the normal line. Go figure.

As was mentioned earlier, you'll have more problems with traction than power. The times I've really needed to dig with it were in the spring and I just kept the chains on from the winter.

 

[RayCo]

Nice present!

I got whatever the current brand happened to be at TSC when I got mine. It was $400, and it seemed like an OK compromise between price and quality. But, this is because I don't really use it all that much. I use it to smooth trails in the woods, mostly, and also intend to use it for fixing some potholes in my driveway. If I were going to be using it more often and for harder tasks, I probably would have went with one more reputable. So, my advice is to factor in how much and how you intend to use it.

I have a BX24, which does not have the height limitations that were on the 23. I haven't run into any trouble with not being able to lift the box blade up enough or lower it enough, but this very well could be because I replaced my lift arms with adjustable chains.

 

[Usta]

My 4 foot Farm Force by Tarter Gate sold by Tractor Supply has served me well on my tractor. I believe with state sales tax it was $425

 

[casolorz]

I went to tractor supply today and they have a 4 foot one for like $450 or so, but they also had a 5 foot one for $390 or so, model BB-60-YK, how can I know if that will work with my bx1860? the people over there weren't very helpful.

Thanks,

--Carlos

 

[RayCo]

Most people will say that a 5' BB is too big for a BX. I have no personal experience with this, and am only repeating what I've read here. My BX hasn't had any trouble with the 4' one, so it seems a 5' one might be fine, but I don't really work mine that hard either.

 

[bp fick]

In your Kubota owners manual, there is recommended implement chart, specific to the machine. Have you taken note as to what Kubota recommends?

I think you would find it interesting. This from the people who built the tractor. Many owners seem quite unaware of this chart.

 

[TripleR]

I went to tractor supply today and they have a 4 foot one for like $450 or so, but they also had a 5 foot one for $390 or so, model BB-60-YK, how can I know if that will work with my bx1860? the people over there weren't very helpful.

Thanks,

--Carlos

I had a five foot from another tractor and while the BX will pick it up and you "can" use it, mine handles the four foot much better.

As mentioned, there is a section on proper implement size in your manual that gives pretty good "guidelines". I must admit I exceeded mine by going with a slightly bigger rotary cutter.

 

[bp fick]

Carlos
You haven't filled out your profile, so we don't know your location. If in Texas, shop Atwoods, if in Wisconsin/Illinois shop FleetFarm, if in Indiana shop Rural King, other places have AgriSupply, and so on.

These kinds of farm stores compete on XB and smaller Cat 1 implements. Unless TSC offers me a coupon online, or the store manager matches the online sales, or just decides to price match a competitor, (see back blade photo attached $249.) they aren't always the cheapest place to buy implements of this class.

Because I travel a lot for business, I always check out the prices of implements at Farm Stores around the country. Typically, they stock King Kutter, Tarter Gate type implements and the price does indeed vary widely.

BTW, Kubota recommends a 48" BB for the BX1860. Personally, I agree.

 

[oldnslo]

Silly question but.. isn't there a lot of factors to consider when trying to size equipment for tractors?

Examples:

soil type, Red Georgia clay or light gravel sand

Terrain: 20% slope Vs pancake flat

Amount of dirt you are trying to move. I.e. trying to pull full loads Vs just finish level an area.

Tire type: turf Vs bar

Agree that the BX will usually have traction issues before power issues.

I bought a used Woods BB5 (5' 280 lbs) for my 1850. My property is flat, no rocks with loamy soil. I use the FEL for moving piles of dirt and the BB for finsh grading. Works for me but I am sure this won't work for some one living on a hill with heavy clay soil.

Roy

 

[bp fick]

Silly question but.. isn't there a lot of factors to consider when trying to size equipment for tractors?

Roy

Roy, not silly at all.

 

[TripleR]

Silly question but.. isn't there a lot of factors to consider when trying to size equipment for tractors?

Examples:

soil type, Red Georgia clay or light gravel sand

Terrain: 20% slope Vs pancake flat

Amount of dirt you are trying to move. I.e. trying to pull full loads Vs just finish level an area.

Tire type: turf Vs bar

Agree that the BX will usually have traction issues before power issues.

I bought a used Woods BB5 (5' 280 lbs) for my 1850. My property is flat, no rocks with loamy soil. I use the FEL for moving piles of dirt and the BB for finsh grading. Works for me but I am sure this won't work for some one living on a hill with heavy clay soil.

Roy

When giving advice on these matters, I try to remain within parameters within which an implement will work "well" as intended for all applications.

If a person is using a box blade only for smooth finishing they are not getting the full advantages/use of the features and something else might work better.

This can be parsed to death. "Can I use x with size y tractor ONLY if I am going to do j and not k?"

Not that this can't be a legitimate question as it can provide valuable information, but it must be in the original question or the responses can go on for pages taking into account tire type, soil condition/type, terrain, operator experience and so on.

Ask a general question and you will get a general answer; ask a specific question...

Nope, not a silly question at all; no such thing.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Silly question but.. isn't there a lot of factors to consider when trying to size equipment for tractors?

Examples:

soil type, Red Georgia clay or light gravel sand

Terrain: 20% slope Vs pancake flat

Amount of dirt you are trying to move. I.e. trying to pull full loads Vs just finish level an area.

Tire type: turf Vs bar

Agree that the BX will usually have traction issues before power issues.

I bought a used Woods BB5 (5' 280 lbs) for my 1850. My property is flat, no rocks with loamy soil. I use the FEL for moving piles of dirt and the BB for finsh grading. Works for me but I am sure this won't work for some one living on a hill with heavy clay soil.

Roy

Right on Roy.

 

[bp fick]

My only "concern" is this. I've used an 1860 for now a complete cycle. Summer dirt, fall middle buster plowing/disking, driveway gravel raking, heavy winter snow plowing, spring plowing/spring tooth dragging, trailer towing, etc.

So I try not to pontificate, but heartily recommend that the 1860 owner realize that the smaller diameter stock wheels/tires just will not provide the exact same grip as the larger BX brethren. The 1860 has a few less pounds of overall weight, not much, but a few hundred pounds. The standard ground clearance is an inch lower too. While an inch doesn't sound like much, a BX only has 7" to begin with, so on a percentage basis, it is a lot. This decreases the 3 pt lift height proportionally.

This isn't so much about the horse power of 18 ponies, not at all. It has plenty of power, but certainly not the 23 or 26 horses of the others, and has 13.5 at the PTO. Just stating facts.

The BX1860, in my opinion, based on my year of solid, hard work with one is that over sized implements are to be avoided. That is all I say. After that, a guy is gonna do what a guy is gonna do.

A BX1860 can be customized/modified to more closely match its BX brethren's capability, but that's another story, for another thread.

 

[casolorz]

In your Kubota owners manual, there is recommended implement chart, specific to the machine. Have you taken note as to what Kubota recommends?

I think you would find it interesting. This from the people who built the tractor. Many owners seem quite unaware of this chart.

As soon as I get my tractor, I'll look.

 

[bp fick]

As soon as I get my tractor, I'll look.

Hey Carlos, see if you can see this, maybe blow it up some. Maybe this will whet your appetite and tide you over a bit!! You are still so fortunate that your wife got you such an awesome gift. Enjoy.

 

[casolorz]

Hey Carlos, see if you can see this, maybe blow it up some. Maybe this will whet your appetite and tide you over a bit!! You are still so fortunate that your wife got you such an awesome gift. Enjoy.

Thank you that came out great.

To answer other questions. I am in Wichita, KS. Fairly flat lot other than around the house (full walkout basement), and there is also an easement and pond which the terrain around them isn't perfectly flat but not bad at all.

The east side of Wichita tends to have clay, but I haven't paid enough attention to my soil to see what I really have. Since part of it was dug to make the pond, then part was dug to make the walkout basement, who knows what I have.

Also on the list of implements I didn't see a seed spreader. Any recommendations?

Thanks,

--Carlos