Box blade question

[PumpingPete]

I am currently looking for a box blade for my NH workmaster 55 and can't seem to decide on the size. My tractor is cat ll/cat l compatible on the 3 point. I was thinking that an 8 ft box blade would probably be the best size/match. Any thoughts?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Actually a good 72"-84" box would be the best. Sort of depends on what all you will be using it for though. Get a unit that weighs at least 1000lbs and you will be good to go.

I'm sure others will help out with some other input.

 

[PumpingPete]

Thanks for the info. It seems like a lot of the box blades I see, even the 7 and 8 footers are around 500 to 600 pounds. If I look at the one's NH sells, they are around 1300 pounds. They are also very expensive.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Price really jumps up when you start playing with cat II implments, but they are much more stout. Make sure if you are looking at new to compare the boxblades that are rated for your horsepower. I found alot that cut their power ratings to half when you had 4wd.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks for the info. It seems like a lot of the box blades I see, even the 7 and 8 footers are around 500 to 600 pounds. If I look at the one's NH sells, they are around 1300 pounds. They are also very expensive.

The light weight units are good for doing light work. For a box blade, you really want 125lbs+ per foot of width and the ones that are 1300lbs are industrial units, VERY VERY good, You usually get what you pay for when it comes to new implements.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Our ETA 84" Severe Extreme box blade or even a 78" would be a great fit for your tractor. It comes with a solid welded Cat 1/Cat 2 combo hitch, 8 ripper shanks and high quality US made cutting edges.

The weight of these(78"@680pounds/84"@725pounds) is more than adequate for most any application, but some continually swear that heavier is better.

Ted says:
If the design and angles are right, weight is a factor to a certain extent, but isn't necessary. The extra weight will be good for ballast with loader work, but will not matter beyond that.
As an example: He used our utility box blade as ballast on his 22hp Bobcat tractor in our grapple video which worked well, but for grading, he would've been better off with our lighter, compact box because the extra weight hurt more than it helped.

Ted is on his way to the factory to design a heavier, over the top box blade for those that believe weight conquers all. If there's a demand, he is willing to build!!!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Our ETA 84" Severe Extreme box blade or even a 78" would be a great fit for your tractor. It comes with a solid welded Cat 1/Cat 2 combo hitch, 8 ripper shanks and high quality US made cutting edges.

The weight of these(78"@680pounds/84"@725pounds) is more than adequate for most any application, but some continually swear that heavier is better.

Ted says:
If the design and angles are right, weight is a factor to a certain extent, but isn't necessary. The extra weight will be good for ballast with loader work, but will not matter beyond that.
As an example: He used our utility box blade as ballast on his 22hp Bobcat tractor in our grapple video which worked well, but for grading, he would've been better off with our lighter, compact box because the extra weight hurt more than it helped.

Ted is on his way to the factory to design a heavier, over the top box blade for those that believe weight conquers all. If there's a demand, he is willing to build!!!

Yes sir lighter is better, that is why most every commercially used box blade in use today is only 175-200lbs per foot. Oh wait that isn't light is it?

The secret is to have the right weight AND width for the machine that it is being used with.

 

[AndyMA]

I pull a 8' Heavy Landpride with my Ford 2120 and New Holland TN75D. It works well with both. I would not go any narrower than 8 feet. I've had mine almost 30 years.

Andy

 

[PumpingPete]

All good information. Thank you very much. The NH boxes apparently have hydraulic adjustments and weigh in at 1000 lbs. not sure that is worth the 1k over the EA box.

 

[TripleR]

All good information. Thank you very much. The NH boxes apparently have hydraulic adjustments and weigh in at 1000 lbs. not sure that is worth the 1k over the EA box.

Depends on the individual I guess, I bought a Land Pride HR3584 and after using others over the years, the difference in performance was well worth it to me. Woods and others make good, heavy duty scrapers too.

 

[PumpingPete]

Is the hydraulic adjustment much of a time saver/useful? Sorry for the newbie questions!

 

[TripleR]

Is the hydraulic adjustment much of a time saver/useful? Sorry for the newbie questions!

It has been for me and my sons, we use ours on a Kubota L5740HSTC and M8540HDC and it sure saves time and energy climbing in and out of them to make adjustments.

Some also find a roll over scraper such as the ones by Dirt Dog really handy and don't need hydraulics so much, but I have never used one.

 

[EMcPhee]

If you are working roads I think the hydraulic kit is a must so that you can change the cut and the angle as needed from the seat. It helps greatly in creating a level, graded surface.

Go with an HD unit, but make sure it is sized to the tractor as you'll also be pulling a bunch of material around with you.

I have an 84 inch unit on a JD 4510.

 

[jeff9366]

I am currently looking for a box blade for my NH workmaster 55 and can't seem to decide on the size. My tractor is cat ll/cat l compatible on the 3 point. I was thinking that an 8 ft box blade would probably be the best size/match.

You want you Box Blade as wide as your tractor tires, or a tad wider, if you want to trench. If Box Blade is narrower, you cannot back into trench for next tranche.

According to TractorData.com your Workmaster is 4,000 pounds/ 55-HP / 68" wide and I presume four wheel drive. A 72" or 84" Box Blade should pull, full, satisfactorily. Buy a Box Blade at least 125 pounds per foot. Six footer = 750 pounds. Seven footer = 875 pounds.

Pulling dirt is high draft work, plus the dirt is heavy. I am not too sure you want to go to eight feet. Box Blades are not the easiest things to maneuver, full or empty. Box Blade is most common implement used as counter-balance to FEL loads, in counter-balance function you will be maneuvering Box Blade in reverse, looking over your shoulder......

Hole in the picture was 54" deep. Without 60", 630 pound Rollover Box Blade counter-balance plus 4-WD, tractor would have slipped irresistibly into the excavation.

 

[rjwerth]

I would also suggest the EA 78" It is a good balance between weight and cost. I use one on my DK50SE which is similar in size as your NH.

 

[Ken45101]

The typical "heavy duty" units are more needed for the higher hp tractors (say 90 hp and above).

I have a Bush Hog MBX84, medium duty and it's well made and a good match for my Kubota M5040. Going to a true "heavy duty" unit would have about doubled the cost. For years I used a smaller unit of unknown origin but similar construction.

Note, Woods, Gannon, Bush Hog, etc. seem to be clear in the "light/medium/heavy" duty nomenclature and don't resort to extreme adjectives which are inappropriate and confusing.

Depending on where you are using it, it's generally good to have the bb a little wider than the tire tracks but not much. I use mine on trails in the woods and if I had something significantly wider than the tractor I couldn't get down the trails without catching on trees, etc.