BOX BLADE :: PHOTO comparision of brands

scott_vt · Jan 19, 2006

Mornin Bob,
This is a great thread, read quite a bit of it but not all. Im planning on getting box blade this year, and just by being able to look at all the units has helped alot. I took a measurement of 6ft to the outside rear wheel tread, so I guess that dictates a 6ft blade. Somewhere in the thread I read that as a general rule of thumb is 5hp for every foot of blade. I think I would be OK because the tractor is rated at 32 hp. Bob, do you feel this is a valid hp estimate?

Thanks Again

scotty

JerryG · Jan 19, 2006

Does the Big Boy grader people have a internet site or are they just a small local operation?

IslandTractor · Jan 19, 2006

The hp per foot of blade will obviously vary with the type of soil to some extent. My 20hp tractor is rated by the company to pull a 4 foot BB which equals the 5:1 ratio you mentioned. However, users report good results with a five foot BB and that suggests that 4hp/foot is adequate. Traction may also enter into the equation, not sure whether tractors with high hp/weight ratios such as the 7800 would run out of traction before they run out of horsepower while pulling a big BB.

Bob_Skurka · Jan 19, 2006

My concern would not be HP to Box Blade size but it would be more related to TRACTOR WEIGHT to Box Blade size. A Box Blade is one of the very few small tractor implements that really can use a heavy tractor and the tractions that weight provides. Most implements do not require a heavy machine or the amount of traction that a Box Blade uses.

Now add to all that, the soil conditions. And unfortunately only you can determine that on your property. But there are folks with little 20hp tractors who swear a 5' blade is a great fit on their SANDY soil. And there are folks with little 20hp tractors who swear a 5' blade is a great fit on their LOOSE GRAVEL soil. But take that same tractor, and same blade and use it on my hard clay and I guarantee you the engine will stall out or the wheels will just spin in place because that box blade will stop the tractor cold.

I use a 5' BB on a 30hp Kubota and it is a good fit on MY property with my heavy clay. I could not imagine going any bigger. I use a 4' BB on a 24hp NH and it is a good fit on MY property with my heavy clay. I could not imagine going any bigger.

However I have trailer my tractor to other properties and found sandy loam and had no struggle at all with the Box Blade in that soil.

At 32hp, if you have heavy tractor and anything other than sticky or hard clay soil, I'd guess that a 6' box blade will probably work very well for you. But I'm just guessing.

scott_vt · Jan 20, 2006

Mornin Bob,
Thanks for the reply. I can understand that soil conditions play an important part in what will work and what wont. Im guessing that the machine weights in about 5000lbs with the front loader and no implement attached to the 3pt. I have never loaded the rear tires but that may be a viable option. Also if Im thinking correctly, and please correct me if Im wrong, but I have the option of setting the scarifiers to varying depths. If the 6ft width proves a bit much I could keep them higher to alleviate the amount of pull needed. Of course, I need to keep in mind that the clutch is not what it was when new /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

scotty

Bob_Skurka · Jan 20, 2006

I'd guess that if your tractor weighs 5000# then you can handle a 6' blade. When you get the blade, please post photos of it in this thread, showing its features.

scott_vt · Jan 20, 2006

Thanks Bob,
Im leaning towards the Woods blade. And yes I will post some pictures, probablly not till some time this spring.

scotty

JimMorrissey · Jan 23, 2006

Bob,

I agree with you.....the Woods is a beast. It will easily stop my L39 when it hits something that won't move. It will not deform the blade or the frame. The scarifier adjustment works well and the rotating rear blade is a nice option. The build quality and the paint finish are exceptional. Worth the extra $ IMO.

3RRL · Jan 23, 2006

Just wanted to share some information with you. I'm sure the Woods is one of the best built brands out there. My tractor is 55hp 4wd and easily pulls this 7' Howse boxblade with all the rippers down. It is very heavy duty and strong and was quite a decent price for the attachment. Here is a picture of it new. I paid $575 on eBay and it weighs 580lbs.
As Jim said about his boxblade, this one will stop the 55hp in it's tracks also when it hits really big rocks or big oak roots without any deformation ar damage to the blade.
I'll post another to follow.

3RRL · Jan 23, 2006

You can see from the construction that everything is heavy duty as has been said in the forem about the Howse. Even the scarifiers are heavy duty with hardened tips. And as I told you the blade itself has no deformation or damage.

However, I have a concern about the scarifiers.

When hitting an obstacle that did not stop the tractor in it's tracks, the scarifiers gave way. I did more road grading after a heavy rain and the ground softened up. The scarifiers were able to dig in better than bouncing over a hard dirt road. The 55hp tractor has suprisingly excellent traction even in muddy conditions.
I ended up pulling out several large rocks that I couldn't budge before but snapped off two scarifiers and bent 4 others in the process. This did not happen on any one particular rock but rather over the course of my 1/2 mile road. I'm wondering if these scarifiers are heat treated or if there are better stronger ones that fit the Howse?
See picture.