Grading Box Blade Question

[john_bud]

Just back for the JD dealer, with sticker shock. The Frontier BB2065 (5'5" wide HD) lists for $1043! We agreed that's too much & he's going to see what he can find in the same size & $7-800 range for me.

Any suggestions on other dealers I should check, remembering that I'm in NJ (not interested in a good deal that goes bad with shipping cost).

I paid 50% more than that for mine.....but it had a shipping weight of 880 pounds and all the goodies except hydraulics.

jb

 

[dbdartman]

Just back from today's shopping. Priced a new Brush Hog brand (5' 6", 510 lbs) at $700, & a very slightly used (dealer graded the lot/drive with it a couple times) Befco (5' 6" 525 lbs) at $700. I have 3 other places to check in the next couple days.

So far it seems the Befco is in the lead, followed closely by the Hog. If I can get the Befco for $650 cash, I think I'll jump on it (although the price to start was $750 until he saw some paint worn off).

Updates to follow. Comments, as always, welcome.

 

[dbdartman]

Haven't left the house since the last update, been way too cold & WINDY! Looked at the Land Pride 72" today (no 65"/66" available). Nearly $900. Going to check on a tractor/implement sale at a local farm tomorrow that I was told about late this afternoon. Sure hope there's a box blade (or 3) available! I'll keep my fingers crossed....

 

[john_bud]

Hmmm, some 4" x 1/2" angle iron, some 3/8" strips, 1/2" plate, couple grader blades, a bit of time on a CNC laser cutter, ebay sells scarifiers for box blades...

jb

 

[ExpediteMike]

Well since my last post took delivery of my 66" United BB. I used it to attempt, yep "attempt" to grade out the load of "chirt" they sell here in my area. This is a mixture of a reddish clay, sand and small rocks. I put this stuff, I should say crap (it is sticky-sticks to your shoes like glue when damp), as a driveway base. Will put crushed stone gravel over it eventually. One thing I did summize is that it should spread better when it is completely dry, but won't know that until it drys out maybe in the spring or summer!! It has been very cold and wet here in middle Tennessee. Not used to this comming from south Mississippi where it is winter one day and summer the next.

 

[dbdartman]

Well, after agonizing over it for a couple weeks, & coming to the conclusion that since the soil here is mostly sandy loam with no rocks, plus I'm a pretty accomplished welder/fabricator, I decided on the "light duty" KK 72" from Tractor Supply. If I bend/break anything on it, I can fix it. Couldn't really justify the extra $200 for a heavier ones, based on soil type & intended use, so...

Just returned from the 150+ mile round trip to Vineland, NJ with the new toy. Maybe I should consider removing the cap from the back of the old Ford permanently. It made loading & unloading the box blade... interesting. Oh well, got it on & back off without breaking/bending anything, so, let the fun begin!

 

[BBB]

I have a 60" ipull all over my 3 acres. It just take pratice. If the ground is wet, your almost wasting your time. The dirt/mug will just ball up ang not spread very good. Wait for it to dry, play with your top link to get the rigth angle and ride a lot.

 

[Catman1]

A quick question.

Can Cat 1 3pt implements be attached to a tractor with only a Cat 2 3pt. Is there an easy way to do this as Cat 1 implements are lower cost or am I offbase on this.

 

[john_bud]

You can buy bushings to convert from cat 2 to cat 1.

 

[Catman1]

Thanks John. I will look into it More.

 

[weldingisfun]

TSC carries the bushings as will any good tractor supply store. They cost less than a buck a piece. But a handful, and just let them stay on your implements.

 

[daTeacha]

Be a little careful running lower class implements on a larger class machine -- my back blade was kind of a V blade from such misuse by the PO. I got it at auction for cheap and managed to get it close to straight with some work involving taking the blade off the frame and setting the edge of the bucket down on it hard. Works fine now!

 

[dbdartman]

Well, went out & played with the BB for about 30-45 minutes the other day & 2 things became very apparent... First, as mentioned, trying to do anything in the mud is pretty much a waste of time. Second, before the area I was playing got too muddy, the slipping clutch pretty much confirmed that I'll be splitting the little beast this summer.