Do I need a front blade?

[jim_wilson]

Just got my Kubota BX23 last week and have been having a lot of fun with it already. I have been thinking of getting the Kubota 4 way hydraulic front blade for it but I am wondering if I really need it. The uses I am thinking of the front blade for are:
- plowing driveway in the winter
- spreading gravel when I build a new driveway
- spreading loam when I do the lawn over
The tractor already has the FEL and I also bought a boxblade for it so I am wondering if I really need the front blade or if I can make do with the FEL and boxblade to do what I want to do - or if maybe there is another implement I should consider - like a backblade. Any suggestions/comments are welcome.

 

[Will_C]

Jim; I don't think you will need it. The tasks you mention can be accomplished with what you have. I have done all you mentioned with the FEL on my BX 2200. A front blade would be an upgrade for the snow plowing chore, but I think I would spend the extra money for a front or rear snow blower myself.
Will

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...


Front blade may be a + for snowplowing...

I'd handle the other tasks with what U have... or add a rear grader blade... maybe even a rear grader blade for snow plowing...

Snow removal with front blade... or loader & rear blade depends on your requirements...

I've used all the combinations... different setups for different circumstances...


Dave...

 

[beenthere]

The front blade will work well for all three of your tasks, and be more fun to operate than anything on the 3pt (and in my opinion, do it better). Now, I say this probably because I have a front blade. Also have a rear blade, but no box blade. For spreading dirt, it will be a toss-up with the rear blade and FEL on in combination. But I get a much more satisfacory job quicker with spreading dirt with the front blade.
You have my permission. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Good luck with your decision.

 

[zuiko]

If it was me I would get a blower for the snow removal and use the box blade (without rippers) for the spreading tasks. A front blade would be my next choice for snow removal followed by a rear blade. The FEL would be my last choice.

 

[snmhanson]

If I were you I'd get a front blade so you can post how incredibly useful it is and how it frees up time that you can spend with the family. Then we could all have our wives and significant others read the post and get their blessings to get a front blade. This goes for anyone else and any other implement as well. I don't actually have any idea how well the front blade would work for what you want or need to do with it but I'd say do it for the team nonetheless. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Hope this helped! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Matt

 

[beenthere]

You keep posting things like that and you will get some kind of honorary status on TBN, for sure. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jim_wilson]

Ok - well that is reason enough for me! For some reason I do just want a front blade - although I always have to have some reason to justify my purchases to myself. However I think I am going to have a hard time passing of the purchase to my significant other by saying that the guys on TBN needed to know how well it worked out - I had to buy one!
I did talk to my dealer yesterday about how much the 4 way hydraulic front blade would run - his price was $1500 - that price takes away some of my desire for the blade. Has anybody out there bought one of these before? Is that a good price?

 

[TC18guy]

That's about what NH wanted for my tractor when I asked about it. I can't justify it for the little bit of snow plowing I'd do with it. I've thought about modifying a small truck plow or something.