Box blade too big????

Gavman · Dec 13, 2005

I have a Montana 4940. It's 4wd and 49 horsepower. I was wondering about a box blade that I want to buy. It's a Gannon 72'' or 76'' with hydraulic teeth and high back or low back depending on what I choose. It weighs between 1000 to 1200 lbs. Is this too much box blade for my machine? My machine weighs 4321 lbs.

I'd love to hear the voice of experience on this one!

gamble77 · Dec 13, 2005

A 72" blade should be fine, your tractor won't have a problem handling that siz blade.

3RRL · Dec 13, 2005

Wow, I'd love to have that blade.
Lot's of threads on boxblade adding weight to make them work better, so that Gannon should be perfect. You've got plenty of power to handle it.

Gavman · Dec 13, 2005

3RRL
They are the best box blades from what I have heard, but every one has their own opinion. I have never used a box blade so I don't know. If you want to look at them try this link.

www.gannonmanufacturing.com

They are under the industrial scraper category. Woods actually bought them out, but they still call them Gannon because of their good name.

geneP · Dec 13, 2005

My Box blade is a 5 1/2 ' Gannon that I bought well used in the early 70's. It has the adjustable/removable scarifiers instead of hydraulic. It has been used for it's intended purpose plus used as a battering ram and it is as good as the day I bought it. I don't think you could go wrong with a Gannon.

Gavman · Dec 13, 2005

( I have a Montana 4940. It's 4wd and 49 horsepower. I was wondering about a box blade that I want to buy. It's a Gannon 72'' or 76'' with hydraulic teeth and high back or low back depending on what I choose. It weighs between 1000 to 1200 lbs. Is this too much box blade for my machine? My machine weighs 4321 lbs.

I'd love to hear the voice of experience on this one! )

Will I need front weights or ballast tires, or will it work fine with just air in the tires.

rk246 · Dec 13, 2005

I pull a 84" Land Pride behind my 3830 which is 38 horse, it seems to pull it no problem...It is alot lighter though it is only 593 #s, but I would like to add more weight to it to make it dig in better....

3RRL · Dec 14, 2005

( Will I need front weights or ballast tires, or will it work fine with just air in the tires.)

I used mine many time before adding tire ballast and it pulled just fine (with FEL). However, once I did add tire ballast, traction was way better and the entire tractor felt more stable. You may want to do that anyway.

3RRL · Dec 14, 2005

( They are the best box blades from what I have heard, but every one has their own opinion....)

I see, but the problem is I already have one. It's a 7' HOWSE and is a sturdy box...no hydraulics. Already bent a couple rippers on rocks. But the box is heavy construction. If I had to do it over, I'd get the Gannon hydraulic.

andrewj · Dec 14, 2005

Gayman, I have a 50 hp 5105, and a 6 ft heavy duty frontier BB, and I can pull a chinaman up from china. Now, if I catch it on a large stump, it will stop the tractor and jar my teeth loose. I wish I had an 8 ft box blade. my tires are just air filled, and my machine weighs 4700 pounds. without me on it. you'll be fine with that rig.

ScottOkla · Dec 14, 2005

I'm pretty sure he is Gavman, not Gayman....not that there is anything wrong with that.

Although I have heard rumors about Piedmont, I am from the other side of the state and have never been to that fine town or met this fine Oklahoman, so I cannot confirm these rumors.

3RRL · Dec 14, 2005

( I'm pretty sure he is Gavman, not Gayman....not that there is anything wrong with that.

Although I have heard rumors about Piedmont, I am from the other side of the state and have never been to that fine town or met this fine Oklahoman, so I cannot confirm these rumors. )

LOL...LOL

ScottOkla · Dec 14, 2005

I DID laugh-out-loud at that one. No, the V and Y are not next to each other on my keyboard, so it had me wondering.

Grew up in Blanchard, moved for college and jobs to various places, now settled near Tulsa in Haskell.

I'm guessing Piedmont is moving closer to the OKC area every year.

3RRL · Dec 14, 2005

( I just gave the guy the benefit of the doubt and assumed he ment to hit v instead of y, although the y is definitely not close to the v)

No harm intended...
I didn't catch the misspelling of your handle on the reply at first but just spit my coffee out laughing when I read Scott's reply last night. The guy (andrew) probably did not have his glasses on and meant nothing by it.... But it still cracks me up. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Now if your name WAS GAYMan and you were asking about PTO Shafts or bale spears...then well,...?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Highbeam · Dec 14, 2005

"Already bent a couple rippers on rocks. But the box is heavy construction."

Turns out I own a 20 series, 60 inch, Frontier BB which should be their mid-duty box. Anyway, I too bent the heck out of one ripper while merrily scooting along with the rippers buried into the road. Suddenly I hit a stout stump root below the surface that about made me spill my beer. I didn't notice at first but the wear tip was ripped off and the ripper was bent to the side and then twisted. I managed to get a torch on it and got it bent back straight. I also managed to find the wear tip and welded it back on. All is good now and the BB seems no worse for the wear.

Gavman · Dec 14, 2005

Scott
my family owns a lake cabin on Eufala, either in Haskell or McIntosh county(can't remember). Small world huh.
Yeah, Piedmont is definitely moving closer to OKC. It's projected to be right in the middle of OKC soon. Guess I'll have to go farther west to stay in the country. Oh well.

RedDog · Dec 14, 2005

Suddenly I hit a stout stump root below the surface that about made me spill my beer. 

Well thank goodness that didn't happen!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Maybe we'll have to put a "nipple" on your beer. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

RedDog

cwarrix · Dec 15, 2005

( Suddenly I hit a stout stump root below the surface that about made me spill my beer. 

Well thank goodness that didn't happen!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Maybe we'll have to put a "nipple" on your beer. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

RedDog )

Don't spill the beer, that's alcohol abuse! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Highbeam · Dec 15, 2005

Grading is one of those things that seems to turn out well, maybe better, with slower reaction time. Set the box at the right level and just drive around until it smooths out. Minimal fidgeting with the 3ph height.

Really though, that root stopped my 2 ton tractor in a hurry. I wear my seatbelt so at least I stayed in the seat.