Box Blade sizing

[dirtymartini]

I just found a 60" Frontier (JD) box blade for sale locally. I think I can buy it for around $300 or so and it's in nice shape. My question is this; I would need a 72" to be wider than my LS R4047 rear wheel tracks. Would I be better off waiting for a 72" or can I get by with a 60"?

 

[oosik]

Well, IMHO, your tractor, being 47hp, would be adequate to handle either a 60" or 72" box blade. I come from the "camp" that says your box blade does not have to be wider than your rear tires to be effective. And for around $300 and being in nice shape it would be a good buy.

My tractor is 62hp and I have a 72" roll over box blade that works just fine. My rear wheel width(outside to outside) is 80".

Buy the 60" unit and try it. If you do find that a wider unit would be better - you can always sell it for the $300 and loose nothing.

You could be waiting a very long time to find a used unit in as good shape and for that low a price that is 72".

 

[dirtymartini]

I was hoping to hear that. If I can get it for $300 I probably can't go wrong. I'll know in a couple of days

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I just found a 60" Frontier (JD) box blade for sale locally. I think I can buy it for around $300 or so and it's in nice shape. My question is this; I would need a 72" to be wider than my LS R4047 rear wheel tracks. Would I be better off waiting for a 72" or can I get by with a 60"?

You really want your box blade at least as wide are your rear wheels. My box scraper is 84" wide, my tractor is 78" wide at the rear wheels and rated at 60hp.

 

[dirtymartini]

Ok, that's one for wider...and one for narrower is OK. Hmmmm.

 

[nybirdman]

Mine is slightly more narrow than my tractor;works fine.Can't beat the price that's for sure.

 

[jenkinsph]

While I prefer a wider box blade if the 60" is in good shape I would buy it.

 

[C4Ranch]

I agree with ,Eric bit for that price, I'd give it a try. Mine is 86" and it hangs about 3" each side.

Really depends on what u plan to do with it.

 

[s219]

I would not go narrower than the tires -- you'll never be able to cover your tracks. Box blades are not rare or precious finds; they are easy to come by. Wait for one that's the right size.

 

[Xfaxman]

Another consideration is the basic style, a high back like Erick's:

Or the low back or standard:

I also prefer the hinged back:

 

[roadhunter]

I had a 72" on a 60" tractor and now have an 84" on a 72" tractor. If you use it all the time I'd wait for exactly what you want. If you use it a few times a year then I would not worry about it.

 

[streamin]

I agree, wider is better. If your ever close to an edge of a building or something you can really get close but with a narrower one you can only get as close as your tires. may be splitting hairs but I'm picky sometimes. And yes, there is always another blade around. I've bought and sold 4 box blades from Craig's list in the past year, just for fun and always made a profit.

 

[Northcountryboy]

I would buy it. Keep looking for a bigger one to buy. See which one you like better. He with the most toys wins.

 

[ovrszd]

I use a BB quite a bit. Narrower than the tractor is useable. I use an 84" on my Kubota which is 90". But I much prefer it on my Ford which is 74".

Buy it. You'll see within the first hour of use what the issue is.

 

[dirtymartini]

I would buy it. Keep looking for a bigger one to buy. See which one you like better. He with the most toys wins.

I think this will be my strategy if I end up getting it at my price....I can always move up in size.

 

[FTG-05]

+47 hp? I wouldn't even bother for anything less that 7'. I have a 6' BB on my L4330 (about 38 hp +/-) and wish I had one more foot.

 

[Fallon]

+47 hp? I wouldn't even bother for anything less that 7'. I have a 6' BB on my L4330 (about 38 hp +/-) and wish I had one more foot.

I have a lighter King Kutter 72" (6') that generally works good behind my L3200 (32hp, totaling 3,500lbs). Sometimes I wish it was a bit skinnier or heavier. Only big failure was trying to take out some washboard on the county road. Not enough weight to dig in.

 

[dirtymartini]

Well the deal fell through, I guess I'll look for 7' box blade now. I was just looking at Everything attachments 7footer.

 

[FTG-05]

I have a lighter King Kutter 72" (6') that generally works good behind my L3200 (32hp, totaling 3,500lbs). Sometimes I wish it was a bit skinnier or heavier. Only big failure was trying to take out some washboard on the county road. Not enough weight to dig in.

I added a 410 lb steel and concrete weight block to the end of my 6' LMC HD box blade (675 lbs), then added the 110 lb Rachet Rake to the weight block (520 lbs total). If anything, my BB weighs too much but I still like it better this way.

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