Box Blade prices

[SacandagaBrad]

I checked with the dealer today on new box blade prices. How do these prices sound -

60" Woods GB-60 - $740
54" Land Pride BB15 - $700

I have a TC-24D with a 54" FEL bucket that just covers the tracks, so I want to go at least that size for the BB. I've made other posts regarding the TC-24 handling the 60" and have basically accepted there will be times where it will stop the tractor, but the same holds for the 54" I would think, not that much difference. Main project in mind is excavating a 100' driveway down about 12" into hardpan and backfill with crusher run to be paved later. Will take a few passes, but I have the time. Having a new garage built and forgot to include the driveway in the site prep work order, so thinking I might do it myself and use the savings to buy the BB. I also have a private gravel road that needs periodic maintenance.

The Woods is in stock, the Land Pride would need to be ordered.

Any thoughts?

Thanks - Brad

 

[KAB]

I bought a 60" for my CK20HST. Pulls it with out any problems. 60" is only an extra 3" on each side but still makes it easier when trying to work on edges.

The only issue that I had doing my driveway is what to do with the dirt that was removed. I now have a large pile of dirt waiting to be used elsewhere.

Kurt

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Brad, the prices seem a bit high, but not too bad for those brands assuming they are the H.D. models.

On the other hand, I would be a bit more concervative in the sizing. For loose materials, gravel, etc you can pull those size blades, but you will likely find that those size BBs are large if your futures uses will include regrading virgin heavy soils. Lots of people buy bigger implements than are optimum, and they are fine in some circumstances. I'd limit the size to the 54" unit. I use a 48" on a TC24 in hard clay soils and can stop the tractor cold, now on my brother's land which has sandy loam, the tractor pulls the box blade with no problems at all. Let your soil conditions be a guide to you.

You might want to look here, there are some prices in this thread Box Blade comparison thread

 

[pekabu]

I have a TC24d with a Corriher BB48. It's been a really good bb for the tractor. I wish I went with the 60 though. I have stopped the tractor a few times with it, but for grading near the edge of roads and such it gets a bit scary.

I would check with Corriher, Tarheel, or maybe Sweet or CCM. I am sure they can do much better than that.

 

[SacandagaBrad]

Bob,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( the prices seem a bit high, but not too bad for those brands assuming they are the H.D. models. )</font>

Those are the standard weight models for each brand. I thought they seemed high.

As far as size, my main concern is covering the tracks. My machine has the 13.5" wide turfs and I know my 52" snowblower doesn't quite cover them, but its no big deal with a little loose snow falling in the way. What about when I'm trying to make my deep cut for the driveway, which will take multiple passes? I'm thinking it would require some mini terracing to keep the tractor level if I can't make the previous pass at least as wide as the tractor.

I'll keep shopping around on the prices. Thanks for the input, I want to make sure I get the right one. The dealer that gave me the prices does have a used 60" KK that I could try and the tractor has to go in for warranty service (oil leak, another story). Maybe I'll have him put it on to try for a couple of days.

Brad

 

[rswyan]

As a data point I paid $575 for my Woods GB60 when I purchased my tractor.

 

[jwstewar]

I bought a 60" KK for my TC24D. Yes, it can stop the tractor dead in its tracks, but so can the 54" loader and so can the sub-soiler. It just depends on what the soil is like. When I went to buy, I was looking for a 48" because that is what I was thinking I should pull. When I got there, the dealer looked at me and said "What size do you want?" I told him I though a 4' he said "OK, but I don't recommend that." I recommend you go with the 5' so you can cover your tracks. Might have to take some smaller bites, but the 4 can also stop the tractor.

Only have had one issue with the 60" and that was last week. I was putting some fill around the back of my garage. The garage moved on me /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. I managed to scrape a couple pieces of siding - well OK, there was a hole in one piece. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I quickly pulled the pieces off and replaced with some that was left over from the installation.

 

[Jarrett]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( As a data point I paid $575 for my Woods GB60 when I purchased my tractor. )</font>
Same here, I paid $550 for my GB60.

 

[SacandagaBrad]

I checked out Bush Hog's web page today, their box blade seems well built, on paper anyway. Their side plates are the heaviest I have seen in a standard weight blade, 3/8". I need to stop at one of the dealers and take a look in person to see if they are as well made as they seem in the brochure. So I called around to some local dealers for prices on those plus the Woods. Here is the updated prices I'm getting:

60" Woods GB-60 - $740 and $800
54" Land Pride BB15 - $700
60" Bush Hog SXB 600 - $495 (about $1 per pound /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif, $595, and $650

The $495 would have to be ordered and could be ready in about 2 weeks, all others were in stock except the Land Pride.

Seems like quite a price swing for very comparable, quality made products, especially for the same model in the Bush Hog. These dealers (with the Bush Hogs) do not know me and have never dealt with me, just over the phone quotes on the first call. These prices are from dealers within a 40 mile radius of my house.

All the dealers thought the 60" would be fine with the TC-24, taking less bit for tight heavy soils. Of course, they were trying to sell me the 60" since that it what I asked for. The Woods and Bush Hog did not have a 54" version.

Shopping for tractor stuff is half the fun.

Brad

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue"> Shopping for tractor stuff is half the fun.
</font>


Getting it home without you better half being upset is the other half of the fun /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[SacandagaBrad]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Getting it home without you better half being upset is the other half of the fun )</font>

I have set this one up right, convinced her the first job of putting in the driveway will pay for it. Now I'm not saying you are not the master, and I have listened and learned, but no jewelry necessary this time. I'll save that move for something bigger. It does help that she will have a new attached garage to park in for the winter.

Brad

 

[Bob_Skurka]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ( Now I'm not saying you are not the master . . . ))</font>


I actually liken myself to one of those "test dummies" they put into cars for crash tests. Sort of a "let Skurka try it first and then tell us how to avoid the mistakes" sort of a thing.

Consider my experiences to be a public service. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif And don't underestimate that value slipping the dealer a crisp $20 bill to deliever the implement pre-muddied so you can claim it has been here for a long time and that she just over looked it "looky here dear, it is all muddy, you can't buy things like this all dirty, the dealer would clean it up first. You just never noticied it before, probably because it was camoflauged by all the dirt . . ."

 

[Yalerider]

I payed $600.00 for the Land Pride 1560 5' blade. The dealer gave me a good deal as I bought my tractor from him.